OnePlus Nord N20 SE review
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is the brand's most budget-friendly offering yet, priced at an astonishing Rs 14,999 in India. However, beneath its stylish design lies a phone that fails to impress. With a three-year-old MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, HD display, and binary camera setup, this phone seems like an oversold rebrand of the Oppo A74G. At this price point, it's hard not to compare it unfavorably to other budget options from brands like Redmi, Galaxy, and Realme, which offer superior specs for a similar price.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is the latest addition to the brand's expanding portfolio of budget phones, but unfortunately, it falls short in terms of design and build quality. As one of the most affordable OnePlus devices available currently, this phone is an attempt by the company to tap into the offline market. The first thing that catches your attention about the Nord N20 SE is its sleek and stylish design, which is reminiscent of other Oppo phones. The device's body is made of plastic with a metallic finish, giving it a premium look. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the build quality is not as robust as one would expect from an OnePlus phone. The phone's display is an HD resolution, which is somewhat disappointing considering the competition in this price segment offers better displays. The refresh rate of 60Hz is also a letdown, especially when compared to some other budget phones that offer higher refresh rates. To make matters worse, the display quality itself is not up to par, with a mediocre brightness and color accuracy. The Nord N20 SE's design, although aesthetically pleasing, fails to impress when it comes to build quality. The device feels somewhat flimsy in the hand, and the plastic body does little to inspire confidence. The lack of attention to detail is also evident in the outdated waterdrop notch design, which makes the phone look dated. Overall, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE's design and build quality are its biggest letdowns. While it may appeal to those who value aesthetics over substance, those looking for a reliable and well-built budget phone will find themselves disappointed.
Battery Life
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: A Lackluster Budget Phone The battery life of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is one redeeming quality in an otherwise underwhelming budget phone experience. Underpowered by the three-time old Media Tech Helio G35 chipset, this device still manages to deliver respectable battery performance. With a standard 5000mAh battery and 33W fast charging capabilities, users can expect decent usage times on a single charge. The HD display and low-powered processor contribute to moderate battery drain, making it suitable for casual use cases like social media browsing and streaming content. However, the Nord N20 SE's mediocre specs and outdated features make its battery life feel less impressive in comparison. While competitors like Redmi Note 11, Galaxy F23, or Realme 9 offer more potent processors and better cameras at similar price points, their battery life is also relatively good. In isolation, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE's battery performance would be a moderate plus. However, considering its subpar overall package, it feels like an afterthought rather than a selling point. The phone's poor camera setup, sluggish performance, and outdated design make it a tough sell at any price. Ultimately, the Nord N20 SE's battery life is only one aspect that keeps this budget phone from being an unmitigated disaster. If you're in the market for a reliable device with decent power management, there are better options available.
Display
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: A Budget Phone with Mediocre Display In the midst of expanding their smartphone portfolio, OnePlus is shifting its focus towards more affordable options. The Nord N20 SE is one such device that has raised eyebrows with its uninspiring specs and ridiculous pricing. As I delved into this phone's features, it became clear that the display is one area where it falls short. The HD display on the Nord N20 SE is an old tech, and it shows. With a 60Hz refresh rate, it pales in comparison to the smooth 90Hz experience offered by other phones in its class. The display quality itself is subpar, with a lack of vibrancy and accuracy that's expected from a mid-range phone. The outdated waterdrop notch on the Nord N20 SE looks like something out of a budget phone from 2018. It's a design choice that doesn't exactly scream "OnePlus," especially when you consider the company's penchant for innovation. In fact, it looks eerily similar to the Oppo A74G, which was recently launched in Nepal and India. The display on the Nord N20 SE is simply not up to par, especially considering the competition. Phones like the Redmi Note 11, Galaxy F23, or Realme 9 offer significantly better displays for a similar price point. It's clear that OnePlus sacrificed display quality to meet its budget-friendly goals. As I used the phone extensively, I found myself underwhelmed by the display's performance. Whether it was scrolling through social media or watching videos, the experience felt sluggish and unrefined. The binary camera setup might be a concern for some, but at least it doesn't feel like a major compromise compared to the lackluster display. In conclusion, the display on the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a significant letdown. It's an area where the phone falls short of expectations, and one that makes it difficult to recommend this device, especially when there are better options available at similar price points.
Camera
In my opinion, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE's camera is one of its most underwhelming features. The phone boasts a 50MP primary lens, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to expectations. The Helio G35 chipset's crummy image processor contributes to producing average results. When taking selfies, I found the camera to be inconsistent and often overexposed. Portrait mode is particularly disappointing, with noticeable blurriness around the edges of the subject. Videography also suffers from poor stabilization, making it difficult to capture smooth footage. In terms of photography, the Nord N20 SE's binary camera setup feels like a step back compared to other phones in its price range. The lack of an ultra-wide lens is particularly disappointing, as it limits your creative possibilities when capturing scenes. I compared the Nord N20 SE's camera to some of its contemporaries, such as the Redmi Note 11 and Galaxy F23, and found that they offer significantly better camera performance at similar price points. Even the Realme 9 outshines the Nord N20 SE in this department. OnePlus' decision to skimp on the camera hardware seems baffling, especially considering their reputation for delivering high-quality cameras in their devices. The Nord N20 SE's camera is a major letdown and one of its most significant drawbacks. Overall, I wouldn't recommend the OnePlus Nord N20 SE based solely on its camera performance. If you're looking for a phone with a reliable camera, there are better options available at similar price points. However, if aesthetics and brand value are your top priorities, then the Nord N20 SE might still be worth considering. The camera's subpar performance is a significant disappointment in an otherwise unremarkable phone. If you're looking for a reliable camera, keep shopping.
Price and Value
OnePlus' latest budget offering, the Nord N20 SE, is a phone that fails to deliver on its promises. Priced at Rs 14,999 in India, this phone seems to be more of an Oppo rebadge than a genuine OnePlus product. The biggest letdown here is the value for money. You get an HD display with a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels outdated compared to other phones in the same price segment. The Helio G35 chipset is also three generations old, making performance sluggish and unplayable even on casual games. Add to that a mediocre camera setup with no ultra-wide lens, and you have a phone that's hard to recommend. Considering the competition from Redmi, Realme, and Samsung in the same price range, the Nord N20 SE falls short in almost every aspect. You can get better cameras, displays, and performance from other phones at similar prices. While I appreciate OnePlus' efforts to expand its portfolio, this phone feels like a desperate attempt to cling on to brand loyalty rather than pushing the boundaries of innovation. If you're looking for value, there are much better options available in the market, including the Oppo A74G itself, which is essentially the same phone with a different badge. Ultimately, the Nord N20 SE fails to deliver on its promise as a budget phone from OnePlus. It's time for the company to step up and offer phones that genuinely compete with the best of the industry rather than relying on brand name alone.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is the company's latest budget phone, but it seems to be lacking in many areas, especially when it comes to performance. Powered by a three-year-old MediaTech Helio G35 chipset, this device struggles to keep up with even basic tasks. During my time with the phone, I found the Nord N20 SE to be sluggish and unresponsive. Launching apps took longer than expected, and switching between them was often met with lag. Even playing casual games like Puzzle wasn't possible on this device without experiencing frame drops and stuttering. The Helio G35 chipset is an outdated processor that's barely adequate for a budget phone in 2022. It's clear that OnePlus has sacrificed performance to meet their pricing goals, which is disappointing given the company's reputation for delivering competitive specs at affordable prices. Other smartphones in this price range, such as the Redmi Note 11 or Realme 9, offer far superior performance and features. The Nord N20 SE, on the other hand, feels like a budget phone from 2018. Its HD display and binary camera setup are just not enough to make up for its poor performance. Overall, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a disappointing offering that fails to deliver on its promise of affordability without sacrificing too much. If you're in the market for a new smartphone, there are better options available at similar prices that will provide you with a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
Pros
1. uconnect's design is really good which is exactly what Oppo is known for
2. it has a standard 5000 battery with 33w charging
3. with such a low powered processor and HD screen you can anticipate veritably good battery life from this phone
4. OnePlus still has an excellent brand image in the eyes of general consumers
Cons
1. the Nord n20sc doesn't make any sense at this price, it's ridiculously priced
2. it comes with a three-time old Media Tech Helio G35 chipset which is an outdated processor
3. HD display refreshes at just 60 HC which is slower than the competition
4. the binary camera setup has no Ultra wide lines and produces average results
5. camera performance is always emotional, especially in selfies and videography
6. it's analogous to what my verdict for oppo's Budget a series phones has always been: don't ever buy them
7. there are much better products at analogous prices out there with Superior specs in nearly all aspects
8. the phone feels sluggish, it doesn't indeed feel like you're using a OnePlus phone