OnePlus Nord Review: Excellent 5G Android Phone, Great Value
OnePlus Nord Software And User Experience
The launcher is particularly great. Not only did OnePlus add the Google Discover feed as the leftmost page earlier this year (finally), but the search feature in the app tray is one of our favorite tweaks. As soon as you tap on “Search apps” you get a series of auto-generated buttons for app categories like Social, Music & Video, Photo, Reading, et cetera. It makes navigating the app tray even faster.
Besides Google’s apps (now including the dialer and Messages) and OnePlus’ apps, the Nord is pretty clean out of the box. Netflix comes pre-installed, but that’s fine -- most people won’t really mind. Not everything’s perfect, though. After all these years, OxygenOS still lacks a proper always-on screen option. There’s what OnePlus calls Ambient display, but you have to lift the phone up or tap the screen to check the time and notifications.
OnePlus Nord Pricing And Competition
Still, as a point of reference, the price in India for the 12GB / 256GB model is about $400. That’s just incredible value. On July 21, OnePlus also made the Nord available to 50 US customers through a limited beta. Let us know in the comments if you’re one of the lucky few. Since it’s not officially coming to the US -- at least for now -- you’ll have to import this handset if you really want it. Just be mindful of the missing US bands.
The Nord’s main competitor -- and likely the reason it’s not destined for the US (carrier relationships and all) -- is the OnePlus 8 ($699). Is it worth $200 more, though? Other than the lesser processor, plastic mid-frame, and lack of stereo speakers, the Nord is a better value. The OnePlus 7T ($499) is another solid option if you don’t care about 5G but still want flagship-level performance.
If you’re looking for Snapdragon 765G-equipped competition, the LG Velvet ($599) just launched on AT&T and will be coming to T-Mobile and Verizon soon. The Moto Edge is currently available for pre-order with a $200 discount ($499). It’s unlocked, with sub-6GHz 5G support for the US. And if you can live with a gaming phone, consider the RedMagic 5G ($579). It packs a Snapdragon 865 and works on 5G in the US.
Those of you living abroad have a plethora of near-$500 options with 5G, like Vivo’s X50-series, Redmi’s K30-series, Poco’s F2 Pro, Nokia’s 8.3 5G, ZTE’s Axon 11 5G, and Oppo’s Reno4 Pro 5G. Choose wisely!
OnePlus Nord Review Summary
We like the Nord’s beautiful screen, versatile cameras, flagship-worthy performance, solid battery life, and polished software -- not to mention the unrivaled value. Still, there’s room for improvement. That plastic mid-frame has absolutely no place in a OnePlus phone -- even the OnePlus X was metal and glass. We also really want OnePlus to bring wireless charging to its entire product line. It’s time.
And please OnePlus, bring the Nord to the US. Do it now -- carriers be damned. We’re all jonesing for an affordable, well-rounded 5G handset, especially during this crazy pandemic. Do you really want Apple to own this segment?

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