OnePlus has added another contender to its lineup: the OnePlus Nord 4. This new addition promises to deliver high-end features at an attractive price point. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into every aspect of the OnePlus Nord 4, from its design and display to its performance, battery life, and camera capabilities. If you’re on the fence about this phone, read on to see if it’s the right choice!
OnePlus Nord 4: Design
The OnePlus Nord 4 stands out with its full metallic body, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the OnePlus 5 days. The design is both modern and classy, making it a pleasure to hold. At just 8mm thin and under 200 grams, it offers a lightweight and comfortable feel in the hand.
Color Options and Build:
- Mercurial Silver: This color option adds a touch of sophistication with its reflective finish.
- Carbon Fiber Texture: The lower back features a carbon fiber texture, providing a contrast with the glass-covered upper section.
The phone also includes the beloved alert slider, allowing quick access to silent modes. Rated IP65, the Nord 4 can withstand dust and water splashes, adding to its durability. The slight curvature on the back enhances the in-hand feel, making it easier to grip.
Connectivity and Features:
- USB Type-C Port: While it’s USB 2.0, an upgrade to USB 3.1 would have been a nice touch.
- Dual Speakers: The phone features loud and clear dual speakers.
- O-Haptics: OnePlus has included its advanced haptic feedback technology for a more responsive and immersive vibration experience.
OnePlus Nord 4: Display
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, complemented by Pro-XDR technology. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and a fluid user experience.
Brightness and Protection:
- Brightness: With a peak brightness of 2150 nits, the display performs exceptionally well under direct sunlight.
- Aqua Touch: The screen is designed to be usable even with wet hands, adding to its practicality.
The slim bezels give the phone a sleek look, while the colors on the display are vibrant and true to life. However, there’s no mention of display protection, so it’s advisable to use a tempered glass screen protector.
Nord 4: Specs and Performance
One of the most significant upgrades in the OnePlus Nord 4 is its processor. Moving from the MediaTek chip in the Nord 3 to the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, the Nord 4 offers a more stable and powerful performance.
Performance Metrics:
- RAM and Storage: The phone comes with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
- Benchmark Scores: It scores over 13 lakh on AnTuTu and achieves over 950 in single-core Geekbench tests and 3900-4000 in multi-core tests.
Gaming and Heat Management: The OnePlus Nord 4 can handle high settings in games effortlessly. However, it may heat up to around 44°C during intense gaming sessions, a temperature manageable due to its metallic body. Compared to other brands that cross 45°C, the Nord 4’s cooling system performs admirably.
Battery Life:
The Nord 4 is equipped with a 5500mAh battery that supports rapid charging with the 100W charger included in the box. You can charge the phone to full capacity in under 30 minutes, making it incredibly convenient for daily use.
Battery Performance:
- Screen On Time (SOT): With over 6 hours of SOT, the battery comfortably lasts a full day under regular usage.
Nord 4: Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord 4 includes a dual-camera system:
- Main Camera: A 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor.
- Ultrawide Camera: An 8MP sensor with a 112-degree field of view.
While the LYT-600 is technically a downgrade from the IMX 890 used in the Nord 3, the overall camera performance has improved due to better optimization. The camera captures natural photos with decent sharpness and balanced dynamic range, though some images may show slight underexposure or color-boosting issues.
Portrait and Ultrawide:
- Portrait Mode: Offers good edge detection and quality.
- Ultrawide: Performs well in daylight but lacks detail in low-light conditions.
Video Recording: The Nord 4 supports 4K video recording at 60fps, providing high-quality video output. However, the selfie video quality remains a bit lacking compared to its competitors.
Connectivity: OnePlus Nord 4
The OnePlus Nord 4 is packed with modern connectivity features:
- 5G: Supports 13 bands.
- 4G VoLTE: Available for high-quality voice calls.
- WiFi 6: For faster and more reliable internet connections.
- Bluetooth 5.4: Ensures efficient and stable wireless connections.
- NFC: For contactless payments and data transfers.
Comparative Insights:
- IP Rating: The Nord 4 has an IP65 rating, which is slightly less robust than the IP68 rating of some competitors.
- USB Port: It features USB 2.0, compared to the USB 3.1 Gen found in other models.
- Display: The AMOLED screen on the Nord 4 is slightly larger at 6.74 inches compared to some competitors, but it lacks the 144Hz refresh rate found in other high-end phones.
Software: Smooth and Feature-Rich
The OnePlus Nord 4 runs on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. This version includes some new AI features like AI eraser, AI audio enhancements, and auto pixelation for sensitive information. The phone is expected to receive 4 years of major updates and 6 years of security patches.
Bloatware: While the software experience is generally smooth with well-optimized animations, there is a noticeable increase in bloatware. This could be a concern if it continues to grow in future updates.
8. Verdict: A Strong Contender Under ₹30,000
The OnePlus Nord 4 is a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality smartphone under ₹30,000. Its design, performance, and display are standout features that make it a strong contender in this price range. While there are some compromises, such as the lack of wireless charging and the presence of bloatware, the overall package offers excellent value for money.
If you’re looking for a phone that combines modern aesthetics with powerful performance and solid battery life, the OnePlus Nord 4 is worth considering. It provides a great balance of features and price, making it a smart choice for tech enthusiasts on a budget.
