These days, buying a mid-range phone often means making compromises — sometimes the camera underperforms, sometimes the processor heats up, or the battery doesn’t even last a full day. Most people dream of owning a phone that feels like a flagship without spending ₹50K. If you’re hunting for the best phone under ₹40,000 in India, the OnePlus Nord 5 5G has become the talk of the town.
So when the OnePlus Nord 5 5G was announced, it created a wave of excitement in the tech world. But does this phone really redefine performance, battery, and camera in the ₹30K segment?
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Performance & Processor
This time, OnePlus has equipped the Nord 5 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor — the same 4nm tech used in high-end smartphones. It features a combination of Cortex‑X4 and A720/A520 cores, delivering both power and efficiency.
Paired with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage (256GB or 512GB), this phone offers a top-tier experience in multitasking and gaming performance. Apps launch in a flash, there’s no lag, and thermal throttling is minimal.
In short, the processor gives you flagship-style performance — all within a ₹30K budget.
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Camera Quality
On the rear, you get a 50MP Sony LYT‑700 main sensor with OIS and an f/1.8 aperture. It captures sharp shots in daylight and retains solid detail even in low light. Plus, it supports 4K@60fps video recording — a treat for vloggers.
There’s also an 8MP ultrawide lens with a ~116° field of view. It captures wide shots well, though it does struggle a bit in low-light conditions.
Up front, there’s a showstopper — a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 selfie camera that can also shoot 4K videos. The clarity is top-tier, bringing an extra charm to both video calls and selfies. For those who want a closer look, camera samples will give a better idea of real-world performance.
Battery Life & Charging
The phone packs a massive 6,800mAh battery, easily offering up to 1.5 days of backup even with medium to heavy use. Whether you’re gaming, watching reels, or handling work tasks, you won’t need to keep charging constantly.
When you do need to charge, its impressive battery charging speed with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging gets you from 0 to 100% in just 54 minutes. There’s also 5W reverse charging — a nice little bonus.
Design & Build Quality
The Nord 5 blends style with practicality. It has Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on both the front and back, and a plastic frame for added grip. The overall feel is premium in hand.
With an IP65 rating, the phone is protected from water splashes and dust. It measures 163.4×77×8.1 mm and weighs 211g — slightly heavy, but it feels solid and robust.
Stylish color options include Dry Ice, Marble Sands, and Phantom Grey — each with its own unique vibe.
Display Quality
The Nord 5 display delivers a flagship-like experience. It features a 6.83‑inch Swift AMOLED screen with a 1.5K resolution (1272×2800) and ~450ppi pixel density, producing crisp and vibrant visuals.
You also get a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 10-bit color, 1800 nits peak brightness, and 3840Hz PWM dimming. Whether you’re in bright sunlight or a dim environment, everything looks sharp and strain-free.
From gaming to scrolling on Instagram, the experience is incredibly smooth.
Software Experience
The Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 — now smarter than ever with AI-powered features like:
- Plus Mind Assistant
- Live Translation & Call Summaries
- AI VoiceScribe
There’s also a new Plus Key button replacing the classic Alert Slider, allowing instant access to custom AI tasks. Some standout OxygenOS 15 features include personalized AI tools for multitasking, making the device even more future-ready.
OnePlus promises 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches — a big relief for long-term users.
Network & Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the Nord 5 is fully loaded:
- Dual-SIM 5G with NSA + SA support (offering fast 5G network speed in India)
- Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 (with aptX HD, LHDC 5)
- NFC, IR Blaster, USB Type-C
- GPS, NavIC, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS
It also features an in-display fingerprint sensor. From online payments to fast downloads and smooth navigation — this device is ready for everything.
For more information, visit the official website of OnePlus Nord 5
Pricing & Variants
| Variant | RAM + Storage | Price (₹) | Launch Offer (₹2,250 off) | Availability (Online & Offline) |
| OnePlus Nord 5 5G (Base) | 8GB + 256GB | ₹31,999 | Yes | Amazon, OnePlus Store, Retailers |
| OnePlus Nord 5 5G (Mid) | 12GB + 256GB | ₹34,999 | Yes | Amazon, OnePlus Store, Retailers |
| OnePlus Nord 5 5G (Top) | 12GB + 512GB | ₹37,999 | Yes | Amazon, OnePlus Store, Retailers |
It’s available starting July 9, 2025, across major online and offline channels.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord 5 delivers flagship-level features in the ₹30K to ₹38K range — whether it’s the processor, battery, or display.
With the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, LPDDR5X RAM, a 144Hz AMOLED display, 50MP dual camera setup, and AI-powered OxygenOS 15 — it’s built for the future.
Sure, the ultrawide camera is limited and there’s no optical zoom, but the AI features, fast charging, and long-term software support make this phone truly value for money. When compared to rivals like iQOO Neo 9 Pro and Realme GT 6, the Nord 5 holds its own as one of the most balanced phones in its price range.
