OnePlus has launched the new Nord 5, and many Nord 4 users are wondering — is it time to upgrade?
Let’s be honest — if you’re already using the OnePlus Nord 4, then there isn’t a huge reason to rush for the Nord 5. Unless, of course, you’re looking for slightly better cameras or you’ve absolutely fallen in love with the new design. Because apart from those, the upgrades aren’t really big enough to make it a must-switch phone.
That said, let’s quickly go through what the Nord 5 brings to the table — and where it improves (and where it doesn’t).
A Fresh Design – But Familiar Vibes
The Nord 5 does look more refined than the Nord 4. The design this time feels clean and professional — especially when compared to bold phones in this price segment like the iQOO Neo 10 or the Poco F7. In fact, the back design looks inspired by a mix of iPhone and Samsung aesthetics.
There’s no metal frame, but the in-hand feel is still quite solid. The alert slider is gone, and in its place, OnePlus has added the ‘Plus Key’, which was earlier seen on the OnePlus 13R/13S. It’s customizable, so it can be handy — but for long-time OnePlus users, losing the alert slider might still sting.
The phone has IP65 water and dust resistance, which is decent, but when competitors like Poco F7 are offering IP68 and IP69, OnePlus could’ve done better here.
Also, you do get NFC support, but there’s no eSIM — just regular dual SIM support.
Display – Big Numbers, Small Catch
The Nord 5 comes with a 6.8-inch display and a 144Hz refresh rate. Sounds great on paper, but the high refresh rate doesn’t run across the entire system — it works in selected apps and games only.
Brightness is also a bit on the lower side compared to other phones in the ₹30K segment. So, if you often use your phone outdoors, this might matter.
The fingerprint scanner is now under-display, which is a good touch. And yes, you get Gorilla Glass protection and a case + 80W charger inside the box (with Type A to Type C cable).
Battery & Software – Reliable as Ever
Now here’s where OnePlus has done well — the 6800mAh battery is massive and gives you great backup, especially for media consumption and gaming. The 80W fast charging in the box is good, but it’s worth noting that the Nord 4 supported 100W — so that’s a bit of a downgrade.
Software-wise, the phone runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. You’ll get 4 years of major updates and 6 years of security patches, which is one of the best track records in the Android world. Features like OnePlus Connect and AI features (borrowed from the flagship 13S series) are also included.
Performance – No Big Leap
The Nord 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which performs almost the same as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 2 in the Nord 4. In real-world usage, you’ll barely feel any difference — whether it’s gaming or multitasking.
The phone comes in two storage variants —
- 8GB + 256GB
- 12GB + 512GB
However, a bit of a letdown is that they’ve switched from UFS 4.0 in the Nord 4 to UFS 3.1 in the Nord 5. It’s not a dealbreaker, but again — it’s not an upgrade either.
Camera – Better, But Still No Telephoto
This time, OnePlus has improved the camera setup. You get a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP front camera, which sounds great for selfies and vlogging. It supports 4K 60fps video recording from the rear camera, and overall image quality feels better than what Nord 4 offered.
But once again — no telephoto lens. So if you’re someone who likes zoom photography or better portrait separation, this might disappoint.
Final Thoughts – Should You Upgrade?
The OnePlus Nord 5 starts at ₹32,000 for the 8GB + 256GB model. It’s a well-rounded phone with a great design, solid software support, and a big battery. The cameras are definitely better this time, and there are some fun touches like the Plus Key and AI features.
But… if you already have the Nord 4, then honestly, you can skip this one. The performance is nearly the same, and in some places — like storage speed or charging — it’s actually a step back. The design and camera upgrades are the only major reasons to consider switching.
So in short:
New buyer? Nord 5 is a solid pick.
Existing Nord 4 user? Hold on to your phone — it’s still good enough.
