Our Rating- 3.5/5
With the Nord series, OnePlus has aimed to deliver a flagship-like experience at a more accessible price—and the Nord 5 might be its most convincing attempt yet. It’s the first Nord to feature a Snapdragon 8-series chip, comes packed with AI features previously reserved for premium phones, and even borrows camera tech from the OnePlus 13 series. But with rising expectations and stiff competition in the mid-range segment, does the Nord 5 actually feel like a flagship alternative—or is it just dressed like one? We spent some time with the phone to find out.
OnePlus Nord 5 Design and display
OnePlus Nord 5 stays true to the Nord series’ philosophy of minimalism and refinement, but introduces a noticeable shift in materials. Unlike the Nord 4, which had an all-metal body that gave it a distinctly premium heft, the Nord 5 opts for a glass and plastic construction. While it may not feel quite as solid as its predecessor, the design still manages to feel premium in hand—thanks to its sleek curves and thoughtfully executed finish.
We received the Marble Sands variant for review, and it's a stunner. Inspired by sunlit beaches, this platinum white hue subtly shimmers as light hits it, giving the phone a premium vibe. Dry Ice and Phantom Grey are the other colour options available.
At 8.1mm thick, the Nord 5 is relatively slim and easy to handle. The smoothed edges make it comfortable to grip, whether you’re texting, gaming, or binge-watching. The 6.83-inch flat display, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, is surrounded by ultra-thin 1.65mm bezels, offering an immersive experience without compromising on durability.
There’s also IP65 water resistance, which protects against light splashes—something not always guaranteed in this price range. Overall, the Nord 5 nails the basics of modern smartphone design: it’s sleek, stylish, and purposeful without being flashy.
As for display performance, OnePlus Nord 5 comes with one of the smoothest and most responsive panels we’ve seen in this price range. Whether you’re scrolling through apps or gaming, the screen feels fluid and fast, with touch response rated at an impressive 3000Hz—a noticeable advantage in fast-paced games.
Outdoor visibility is solid. Thanks to 1400 nits peak brightness, the screen stays readable even under direct sunlight, which makes a real difference when you’re out and about. During our use, we didn’t struggle to read messages or view photos outdoors.
The display isn’t completely glare-free, but reflections are minimal and manageable, even in bright conditions. What’s also worth mentioning is Aqua Touch 2.0, which ensures the screen stays responsive even with wet or greasy fingers—a thoughtful addition for everyday use. On top of that, 3840Hz PWM dimming and built-in eye-comfort features make the screen easier on the eyes during extended usage, especially in low light.
OnePlus Nord 5 Performance
OnePlus Nord 5 is the first Nord phone to feature a Snapdragon 8-series chip. Under the hood, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, which puts it squarely in flagship territory when it comes to hardware. And the performance does live up to that promise.
In day-to-day use—whether it was switching between apps, browsing social media, replying to emails, or watching YouTube—the phone was incredibly smooth. The 120Hz refresh rate display complements the fluidity, and everything feels snappy and lag-free. App launches are quick, animations are slick, and multitasking is handled with ease.
We also tried a few games to see how the Nord 5 holds up under pressure. Call of Duty: Mobile, BGMI, and Asphalt 9 ran without a hitch at high graphics settings. Frame drops were rare, and the gameplay stayed smooth for extended sessions. The phone can hit up to 144FPS in supported games—and actually sustain it for hours, which is impressive.
One of the standout features here is the massive 7,300 mm² vapor chamber cooling system. Even after 30-40 minutes of gaming or shooting 4K videos, the phone stayed relatively cool to the touch. While there was some warmth around the camera module and back, especially during prolonged gaming sessions or navigating with GPS, it never felt uncomfortable or overheated.
Even better, the Nord 5 comes with TÜV SÜD’s Fluency 72-Month A rating, which basically certifies that this phone should stay smooth and responsive for at least six years—a rare assurance in the Android space.
OnePlus Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 14, and as always, the experience remains clean, responsive, and thoughtfully designed. But this time, OnePlus has added something more: Open Canvas—a multitasking interface first seen on the OnePlus Open.
With Open Canvas, managing multiple apps becomes far more intuitive. You can now run up to three apps at once using split-screen and floating windows. Additionally, O+Connect now works across both Mac and Windows PCs, letting you view and transfer files between your devices without installing anything extra. Whether it’s pulling up photos for a presentation or moving a document mid-meeting, the cross-platform support is a handy addition.
AI features of OnePlus Nord 5
OnePlus Nord 5 comes loaded with a suite of AI-powered tools that go well beyond just being flashy add-ons. At the center of it all is “Plus Mind,” OnePlus’s personal AI assistant. With a tap of the new Plus Key (yes, Plus Key has made its way to Nord phones) or a three-finger swipe, you can instantly save anything on your screen—like articles, screenshots, or messages—into a central space called Mind Space. It's smart enough to recognize things like dates and events, and can suggest helpful actions like adding reminders to your calendar.
Searching for things is easier, too. Thanks to AI Search, you can now type naturally (like you would in a chat) and it’ll find files, settings, or saved content across the system without needing to remember where you saved them.
On the call front, the AI Call Assistant offers live translation during phone conversations and gives you a neat summary once the call ends. Great for cross-language chats or simply recalling what was discussed.
The Nord 5 also includes AI VoiceScribe, which transcribes and summarizes audio from popular apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Zoom. So if you're in a long meeting or listening to a podcast, it can take notes for you and save them directly into the Notes app.
If you’re into photography, you’ll appreciate tools like AI Eraser and AI Detail Boost, which clean up photos and sharpen details in one tap. AI Reframe even suggests better crops and edits, giving your casual photos a professional polish without needing any editing know-how.
On top of all that, the Nord 5 brings Google’s Gemini AI deeply into the system. With Circle to Search, you can circle anything on your screen to get instant search results. Gemini can also read what’s on your screen or through your camera in real time.
Despite all this AI muscle, OnePlus claims your data stays private thanks to a secure Private Computing Cloud, where sensitive info is processed locally, not stored externally. In short, the Nord 5’s AI isn’t just a gimmick—it’s useful, fast, and thoughtfully integrated into daily life.
OnePlus Nord 5 camera
Starting with the rear setup, the 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor is the same one used in the premium OnePlus 13 series. It’s supported by triple-axis OIS and enhanced HDR algorithms, making it capable of capturing sharp, well-exposed images even in tricky lighting conditions. Daylight shots come out vibrant with natural color tones and a healthy amount of detail. Shadows and highlights are balanced well, and there’s minimal noise in low-light shots.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera, while not as impressive, gets the job done for wide landscapes or group shots. It also doubles as a macro shooter, though don’t expect ultra-crisp detail here. It’s best used in good lighting and for casual wide-angle photography.
Video quality on both front and back is solid, with support for 4K at 60fps. Footage looks smooth, stable, and retains natural colors—ideal for vlogging or social media content creation.
Now, the real surprise is the 50MP front camera. Powered by Samsung’s JN5 sensor and mechanical autofocus (a rare find at this price), it delivers sharp and well-detailed selfies. Even in low light, skin tones remain accurate, and group selfies with complex backgrounds don’t lose focus. It’s arguably one of the best front cameras in this segment.
That said, there’s still some room for improvement in edge detection in portrait mode and color saturation in ultra-wide shots—but overall, the Nord 5’s camera performance punches well above its weight.
OnePlus Nord 5 battery
OnePlus Nord 5 packs a massive 6,800mAh battery, one of the largest you’ll find in this segment. The phone’s battery is dependable and comfortably gets through extended hours of use— easily a day and more. Whether it’s scrolling, streaming, calling, or gaming— you won’t be reaching for the charger constantly.
When it’s time to juice up, the 80W SUPERVOOC charging kicks in, taking the phone from 1% to 100% in just under an hour. For a battery this big, that’s impressive.
What really stands out is the Battery Health Engine, which keeps the battery in good shape even after years of use. OnePlus claims you’ll still get over 80% capacity even after four years, thanks to smarter heat management and cell protection.
Also worth noting is Bypass Charging, a feature that directs power straight from the charger to the phone during gaming, instead of passing it through the battery. This helps keep temperatures lower and performance steady, and will surely come in handy for gamers.
Verdict
Starting at Rs 31,999, OnePlus Nord 5 brings serious flagship ambition to the mid-range segment. It may lose on the all-metal body of its predecessor, but makes up for it with a refined design, a sharp 1.5K 144Hz display, and surprisingly thoughtful software features. Daily performance is good, gaming is smooth even at high settings, and the phone keeps cool under pressure.
The addition of a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and a suite of useful AI tools push the Nord 5 well beyond its class. Add to that a dependable battery, fast charging, a standout selfie camera, and a clean, polished OS experience—and you’ve got a phone that feels premium in every way that counts.
However, the ultra-wide and macro cameras leave a bit to be desired, and the build could have retained a more solid feel like the Nord 4. But these are minor trade-offs. If you want a device with long-term reliability, and a touch of smarts—without breaking the bank—the OnePlus Nord 5 delivers.
With the Nord series, OnePlus has aimed to deliver a flagship-like experience at a more accessible price—and the Nord 5 might be its most convincing attempt yet. It’s the first Nord to feature a Snapdragon 8-series chip, comes packed with AI features previously reserved for premium phones, and even borrows camera tech from the OnePlus 13 series. But with rising expectations and stiff competition in the mid-range segment, does the Nord 5 actually feel like a flagship alternative—or is it just dressed like one? We spent some time with the phone to find out.
OnePlus Nord 5 Design and display
OnePlus Nord 5 stays true to the Nord series’ philosophy of minimalism and refinement, but introduces a noticeable shift in materials. Unlike the Nord 4, which had an all-metal body that gave it a distinctly premium heft, the Nord 5 opts for a glass and plastic construction. While it may not feel quite as solid as its predecessor, the design still manages to feel premium in hand—thanks to its sleek curves and thoughtfully executed finish.
We received the Marble Sands variant for review, and it's a stunner. Inspired by sunlit beaches, this platinum white hue subtly shimmers as light hits it, giving the phone a premium vibe. Dry Ice and Phantom Grey are the other colour options available.
At 8.1mm thick, the Nord 5 is relatively slim and easy to handle. The smoothed edges make it comfortable to grip, whether you’re texting, gaming, or binge-watching. The 6.83-inch flat display, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, is surrounded by ultra-thin 1.65mm bezels, offering an immersive experience without compromising on durability.
There’s also IP65 water resistance, which protects against light splashes—something not always guaranteed in this price range. Overall, the Nord 5 nails the basics of modern smartphone design: it’s sleek, stylish, and purposeful without being flashy.
As for display performance, OnePlus Nord 5 comes with one of the smoothest and most responsive panels we’ve seen in this price range. Whether you’re scrolling through apps or gaming, the screen feels fluid and fast, with touch response rated at an impressive 3000Hz—a noticeable advantage in fast-paced games.
Outdoor visibility is solid. Thanks to 1400 nits peak brightness, the screen stays readable even under direct sunlight, which makes a real difference when you’re out and about. During our use, we didn’t struggle to read messages or view photos outdoors.
The display isn’t completely glare-free, but reflections are minimal and manageable, even in bright conditions. What’s also worth mentioning is Aqua Touch 2.0, which ensures the screen stays responsive even with wet or greasy fingers—a thoughtful addition for everyday use. On top of that, 3840Hz PWM dimming and built-in eye-comfort features make the screen easier on the eyes during extended usage, especially in low light.
OnePlus Nord 5 Performance
OnePlus Nord 5 is the first Nord phone to feature a Snapdragon 8-series chip. Under the hood, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, which puts it squarely in flagship territory when it comes to hardware. And the performance does live up to that promise.
In day-to-day use—whether it was switching between apps, browsing social media, replying to emails, or watching YouTube—the phone was incredibly smooth. The 120Hz refresh rate display complements the fluidity, and everything feels snappy and lag-free. App launches are quick, animations are slick, and multitasking is handled with ease.
We also tried a few games to see how the Nord 5 holds up under pressure. Call of Duty: Mobile, BGMI, and Asphalt 9 ran without a hitch at high graphics settings. Frame drops were rare, and the gameplay stayed smooth for extended sessions. The phone can hit up to 144FPS in supported games—and actually sustain it for hours, which is impressive.
One of the standout features here is the massive 7,300 mm² vapor chamber cooling system. Even after 30-40 minutes of gaming or shooting 4K videos, the phone stayed relatively cool to the touch. While there was some warmth around the camera module and back, especially during prolonged gaming sessions or navigating with GPS, it never felt uncomfortable or overheated.
Even better, the Nord 5 comes with TÜV SÜD’s Fluency 72-Month A rating, which basically certifies that this phone should stay smooth and responsive for at least six years—a rare assurance in the Android space.
OnePlus Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 14, and as always, the experience remains clean, responsive, and thoughtfully designed. But this time, OnePlus has added something more: Open Canvas—a multitasking interface first seen on the OnePlus Open.
With Open Canvas, managing multiple apps becomes far more intuitive. You can now run up to three apps at once using split-screen and floating windows. Additionally, O+Connect now works across both Mac and Windows PCs, letting you view and transfer files between your devices without installing anything extra. Whether it’s pulling up photos for a presentation or moving a document mid-meeting, the cross-platform support is a handy addition.
AI features of OnePlus Nord 5
OnePlus Nord 5 comes loaded with a suite of AI-powered tools that go well beyond just being flashy add-ons. At the center of it all is “Plus Mind,” OnePlus’s personal AI assistant. With a tap of the new Plus Key (yes, Plus Key has made its way to Nord phones) or a three-finger swipe, you can instantly save anything on your screen—like articles, screenshots, or messages—into a central space called Mind Space. It's smart enough to recognize things like dates and events, and can suggest helpful actions like adding reminders to your calendar.
Searching for things is easier, too. Thanks to AI Search, you can now type naturally (like you would in a chat) and it’ll find files, settings, or saved content across the system without needing to remember where you saved them.
On the call front, the AI Call Assistant offers live translation during phone conversations and gives you a neat summary once the call ends. Great for cross-language chats or simply recalling what was discussed.
The Nord 5 also includes AI VoiceScribe, which transcribes and summarizes audio from popular apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Zoom. So if you're in a long meeting or listening to a podcast, it can take notes for you and save them directly into the Notes app.
If you’re into photography, you’ll appreciate tools like AI Eraser and AI Detail Boost, which clean up photos and sharpen details in one tap. AI Reframe even suggests better crops and edits, giving your casual photos a professional polish without needing any editing know-how.
On top of all that, the Nord 5 brings Google’s Gemini AI deeply into the system. With Circle to Search, you can circle anything on your screen to get instant search results. Gemini can also read what’s on your screen or through your camera in real time.
Despite all this AI muscle, OnePlus claims your data stays private thanks to a secure Private Computing Cloud, where sensitive info is processed locally, not stored externally. In short, the Nord 5’s AI isn’t just a gimmick—it’s useful, fast, and thoughtfully integrated into daily life.
OnePlus Nord 5 camera
Starting with the rear setup, the 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor is the same one used in the premium OnePlus 13 series. It’s supported by triple-axis OIS and enhanced HDR algorithms, making it capable of capturing sharp, well-exposed images even in tricky lighting conditions. Daylight shots come out vibrant with natural color tones and a healthy amount of detail. Shadows and highlights are balanced well, and there’s minimal noise in low-light shots.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera, while not as impressive, gets the job done for wide landscapes or group shots. It also doubles as a macro shooter, though don’t expect ultra-crisp detail here. It’s best used in good lighting and for casual wide-angle photography.
Video quality on both front and back is solid, with support for 4K at 60fps. Footage looks smooth, stable, and retains natural colors—ideal for vlogging or social media content creation.
Now, the real surprise is the 50MP front camera. Powered by Samsung’s JN5 sensor and mechanical autofocus (a rare find at this price), it delivers sharp and well-detailed selfies. Even in low light, skin tones remain accurate, and group selfies with complex backgrounds don’t lose focus. It’s arguably one of the best front cameras in this segment.
That said, there’s still some room for improvement in edge detection in portrait mode and color saturation in ultra-wide shots—but overall, the Nord 5’s camera performance punches well above its weight.
OnePlus Nord 5 battery
OnePlus Nord 5 packs a massive 6,800mAh battery, one of the largest you’ll find in this segment. The phone’s battery is dependable and comfortably gets through extended hours of use— easily a day and more. Whether it’s scrolling, streaming, calling, or gaming— you won’t be reaching for the charger constantly.
When it’s time to juice up, the 80W SUPERVOOC charging kicks in, taking the phone from 1% to 100% in just under an hour. For a battery this big, that’s impressive.
What really stands out is the Battery Health Engine, which keeps the battery in good shape even after years of use. OnePlus claims you’ll still get over 80% capacity even after four years, thanks to smarter heat management and cell protection.
Also worth noting is Bypass Charging, a feature that directs power straight from the charger to the phone during gaming, instead of passing it through the battery. This helps keep temperatures lower and performance steady, and will surely come in handy for gamers.
Verdict
Starting at Rs 31,999, OnePlus Nord 5 brings serious flagship ambition to the mid-range segment. It may lose on the all-metal body of its predecessor, but makes up for it with a refined design, a sharp 1.5K 144Hz display, and surprisingly thoughtful software features. Daily performance is good, gaming is smooth even at high settings, and the phone keeps cool under pressure.
The addition of a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and a suite of useful AI tools push the Nord 5 well beyond its class. Add to that a dependable battery, fast charging, a standout selfie camera, and a clean, polished OS experience—and you’ve got a phone that feels premium in every way that counts.
However, the ultra-wide and macro cameras leave a bit to be desired, and the build could have retained a more solid feel like the Nord 4. But these are minor trade-offs. If you want a device with long-term reliability, and a touch of smarts—without breaking the bank—the OnePlus Nord 5 delivers.
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