Friends, if you’re a fan of OnePlus’ older phones, you probably remember the ND1 – the very first in the Nord series. And now, OnePlus is back with a bang – the brand new Nord 5. But does this phone really justify its price? And how strong is it in terms of camera and performance? Let’s break it down one by one.
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Design
The design of the OnePlus Nord 5 comes with a modern look. At the back, you get a dual-camera setup that looks stylish. On the left side, there’s a special switch-type button, similar to the iPhone, that lets you quickly access the camera. This is especially handy for photography lovers when you need to take a quick shot.
The in-hand feel of the phone is very premium, and the color finish is quite attractive. Haptics are solid, and you even get an IR blaster – a really useful feature.
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Powerful 50MP Primary Camera
Now let’s talk about the camera, the biggest highlight of this phone. The main sensor is a 50MP Sony IMX906 with f/1.8 aperture and OIS. With a 1/1.56-inch sensor size, it captures highly detailed photos.
In daylight, colors sometimes appear boosted and sometimes natural – it depends on the scene. But sharpness, contrast, and dynamic range are top-notch. Whether it’s sky details, shadows, or skin tones – everything is captured beautifully and in balance.
The camera also performs well in low light. Thanks to OIS, you can take long exposure shots up to 3 seconds without blur. Flare is minimal, which helps with night photography.
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Slightly Weak Ultra-Wide Camera
The ultra-wide lens is just 8MP, using an Omnivision sensor, and it struggles in low light. With a 1/4-inch size and f/2.2 aperture, it can take macro shots up to 3.5mm. The only real letdown is that at this price point, a better ultra-wide lens was expected.
In daylight, wide shots come out decent. Sharpness is okay across the frame. However, there’s some noise in shadow areas. Overall, it’s usable – but if it had a 50MP ultra-wide, that would’ve been a game-changer.
Front Camera That Wins in Every Situation
The front camera features a 50MP Samsung JN5 sensor with a 21mm wide view and autofocus. It captures wide selfies up to 0.8x – great for group shots.
Selfies have minimal beautification, and skin tones look natural. Dynamic range may struggle in low light occasionally, but most photos turn out impressive. You can record 4K 30fps videos with the front camera, and the exposure stays focused on the face – a great advantage for vloggers.
Portraits and Zoom Experience
In portrait mode, you get two focal lengths – 1X (optical) and 2X (digital). Edge detection is solid, though it struggles slightly with moving subjects. The dynamic range is strong, and portraits come out with good depth.
As for zoom, the phone supports up to 20X digital zoom, but the usable output is best up to 5X. It can go up to 10X fairly well, but quality drops beyond that. So, it’s best to stay within 5X.
A Display That Shines Even Outdoors
The OnePlus Nord 5 has a bright and vibrant AMOLED display, offering deep contrast and excellent color reproduction. Outdoor visibility is crystal clear, even under direct sunlight. This comes in especially handy when using the camera in hot weather.
The OnePlus OxygenOS features are well-optimized too though it comes with a few bloatware apps, which can be uninstalled. Whether it’s for content consumption or gaming, the display offers a truly immersive experience.
Processor and Performance
The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, which is highly efficient in terms of performance. It handles daily tasks smoothly. Be it multitasking, switching between apps, or gaming – everything runs butter smooth.
OnePlus Nord 5 gaming performance is top-tier, handling heavy games like BGMI and Genshin Impact at stable frame rates with minimal heating.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 benchmark scores are also promising, proving that this chipset can handle demanding tasks efficiently.
Considering the price, the processor is decent, though competition is stiff, so expectations are high. Still, for regular users, the phone delivers a lag-free experience.
A Battery That Lasts All Day
You get a 6800mAh battery with 80W fast charging. That means even with heavy use throughout the day, the phone lasts easily. Whether you’re using the camera, gaming, or browsing, battery drain is never a major concern.
Video Recording and Features
For video lovers, the phone packs a bunch of features. The rear camera supports 4K 60fps video with decent stabilization. The dynamic range can be a bit inconsistent, but overall, the output is quite usable.
You can also record 4K 30fps videos with the front camera. There’s a dual-view mode too, letting you shoot simultaneously with both front and rear cameras – a very helpful feature for vloggers.
You also get 1080p 120fps slow-motion video. Time-lapse, panorama, long exposure, and dual-view modes are included as well. Both stabilization and video sharpness are impressive for this price range.
A Few Shortcomings
No phone is perfect, and the OnePlus Nord 5 also has a few weak points, like:
- The ultra-wide camera is only 8MP
- No telephoto lens
- No clash detection in portrait mode
- Occasional shutter lag
- ₹32,000 price (without discounts) feels slightly high
- IP65 rating – not fully waterproof
OnePlus Nord 5 price in India places it in a competitive upper-midrange segment, where alternatives also offer great features.
OnePlus Nord 5 vs competition shows it wins in battery life, selfie camera, and video options, but lags in ultra-wide photography and waterproofing.
For more information, visit the official website OnePlus Nord 5
Should You Buy This Phone?
If you’re a OnePlus fan and want a phone that offers premium design, a powerful camera, and long battery life, Nord 5 won’t disappoint. Yes, there are some compromises with the ultra-wide and lack of telephoto, but in every other area, the phone delivers solidly.
With camera quality, display brightness, battery backup, and 4K video features, the OnePlus Nord 5 stands out as a strong all-rounder. For regular users, and especially for photography lovers, this phone is definitely worth a try.
