
On July 8, 2025, OnePlus once again disrupted the smartphone market with the launch of the OnePlus Nord 5 and its sibling, the Nord CE 5, at its Summer Launch Event in India. Priced between ₹30,000 and ₹35,000, the Nord 5 combines flagship-grade performance, a massive battery, and a sleek design, cementing OnePlus’s dominance in the mid-range segment. With a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a 6,800mAh battery, and a vibrant 144Hz AMOLED display, the Nord 5 has sparked a frenzy among tech enthusiasts, earning praise as a “flagship killer” reborn. This article explores the Nord 5’s standout features, its bold design choices, and why it’s poised to redefine value-driven smartphones in 2025.
A Powerhouse Under the Hood
At the heart of the OnePlus Nord 5 lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a near-flagship processor that delivers performance rivaling premium devices like the OnePlus 13. This 4nm SoC, paired with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensures seamless multitasking, lightning-fast app launches, and robust gaming capabilities. OnePlus claims the Nord 5 can sustain 144 FPS gameplay for up to five hours on titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile, thanks to its Cryo-Velocity VC cooling system with a 7,300mm² heat dissipation area—the largest in its class.
Posts on X have lauded the chipset as a “game-changer” for mid-range phones, with one user noting, “Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 at ₹30k? OnePlus is playing chess while others are stuck on checkers.” The Nord 5 also supports up to 12GB of virtual RAM, enhancing performance for heavy users. Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the device offers a clean, customizable interface with subtle AI enhancements, such as improved photo processing and battery optimization, making it a joy for both power users and casual consumers.

A Battery That Redefines Endurance
The Nord 5’s standout feature is its colossal 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, a rarity in the mid-range segment. Designed to last up to two days on moderate usage, it addresses one of the biggest pain points for smartphone users: battery anxiety. Paired with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, the Nord 5 can reach 100% in under 40 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime. OnePlus’s Battery Health Magic technology further enhances longevity by intelligently managing charging cycles to preserve battery health over time.
The battery size has been a focal point of excitement, with X users calling it “a weekend-trip-on-one-charge beast.” However, some have raised concerns about the device’s 211g weight and 8.1mm thickness, attributing it to the large battery and glass-back design. Despite this, the Nord 5’s endurance and fast-charging capabilities position it as a top contender for users prioritizing all-day reliability, from gamers to professionals.
A Display That Dazzles
The Nord 5 boasts a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (2800 x 1272) and a 144Hz refresh rate, delivering buttery-smooth visuals for gaming, scrolling, and media consumption. With a peak brightness of 1,800 nits, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight, while HDR10+ support enhances color accuracy for streaming platforms like Netflix. The flat OLED panel, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, features razor-thin bezels, offering an immersive viewing experience.
An optical in-display fingerprint sensor ensures fast and secure unlocking, complemented by face unlock technology. The display’s 144Hz refresh rate, a step up from the Nord 4’s 120Hz, has been praised for its responsiveness, particularly in gaming. However, some X users noted that the difference between 120Hz and 144Hz is subtle for casual use, suggesting the upgrade may primarily benefit competitive gamers. The Nord 5’s display strikes a balance between premium quality and power efficiency, making it a highlight of the device.
Camera Upgrades: Selfie Star, Solid Shooter
The Nord 5’s camera system has seen significant improvements, particularly in selfie performance. The 50MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture, upgraded from the Nord 4’s 16MP sensor, delivers sharp, vibrant selfies and supports 4K video recording at 60fps—a rare feature in mid-range phones. OnePlus has touted its “multi-focus” capabilities, borrowed from premium devices, making it ideal for group selfies and vlogging.
On the rear, the dual-camera setup includes a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor (f/1.8, 1/1.56-inch) with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 116° field of view). While the lack of a telephoto lens disappointed some fans, the main camera benefits from the same RAW HDR and Real Tone processing as the OnePlus 13, ensuring accurate colors and dynamic range. The ultrawide lens, though modest, offers improved edge-to-edge clarity compared to its predecessor.
X users have praised the camera’s low-light performance, with one post highlighting its ability to “steal the show for Instagram-worthy shots.” However, some expressed skepticism about the ultrawide’s 8MP resolution, calling it “adequate but not groundbreaking.” Overall, the Nord 5’s camera system is a strong contender for social media enthusiasts, though it falls short of flagship-level versatility.
Design: Bold Choices, Mixed Reactions
The Nord 5’s design marks a departure from the Nord 4’s metal unibody, opting for a glass back and polycarbonate frame to keep costs down. Available in Dry Ice (pale blue), Black Infinity, and Nexus Blue, the device exudes a premium aesthetic despite its plastic frame. With an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, it offers decent durability, though it’s a step below the IP68 standard of flagships.
One of the most debated changes is the replacement of OnePlus’s iconic alert slider with a customizable Plus Key. This new feature allows users to assign functions like launching apps or toggling settings, but its removal of the tactile mute switch has divided fans. X posts reflect this sentiment, with one user lamenting, “The alert slider was OnePlus’s soul—why ditch it?” while another praised the Plus Key’s versatility, calling it “a smart evolution.” The Nord 5’s 163.41 x 77.04 x 8.1mm dimensions and metal-glass combo aim to balance style and practicality, though its weight has sparked minor criticism.
The Nord CE 5: A Budget-Friendly Companion
Launched alongside the Nord 5, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 targets budget-conscious buyers with a price tag around ₹25,000. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset, it features a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 7,100mAh battery with 80W charging, and a similar 50MP + 8MP rear camera setup. Its 16MP selfie camera and IP54 rating make it a slightly toned-down alternative, but its massive battery and sleek design ensure it remains competitive.
The CE 5’s Black Infinity, Nexus Blue, and Marble Mist colorways mirror the Nord 5’s aesthetic, appealing to style-conscious users. While it lacks the Nord 5’s 144Hz display and advanced cooling, its performance is “fine-tuned for peak efficiency,” according to OnePlus, making it ideal for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The CE 5’s launch has been well-received, with X users calling it “the perfect phone for students and first-time buyers.”
Pricing, Availability, and Market Impact
The OnePlus Nord 5 starts at ₹30,000 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, with the 12GB + 512GB model priced at ₹35,000. It went on sale in India on July 9, 2025, via Amazon, OnePlus.in, and offline stores, with launch offers including discounts and no-cost EMI options. The Nord CE 5, starting at ₹25,000, followed on July 12. The Nord 5’s aggressive pricing positions it against rivals like the Google Pixel 9a (₹39,900) and Samsung Galaxy A56, offering superior specs at a lower cost.
The launch has reignited OnePlus’s reputation as a value-driven brand. Industry analysts predict the Nord 5 will dominate the sub-₹35,000 segment, particularly in India, where battery life and performance are key priorities. However, the absence of the alert slider and a telephoto lens may alienate some loyalists, and competition from brands like Realme and Vivo, with their own large-battery offerings, remains fierce.
A Mid-Range Marvel with Ambition
The OnePlus Nord 5 is a bold statement in a crowded market, blending flagship power with mid-range affordability. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, 6,800mAh battery, and 144Hz AMOLED display make it a versatile performer, while the upgraded 50MP selfie camera and OxygenOS 15 cater to modern user needs. Despite some compromises—like the plastic frame and missing telephoto lens—the Nord 5 delivers exceptional value, earning its tagline of “mid-range magic.”
As OnePlus continues to innovate, the Nord 5 stands as a testament to its ability to democratize premium technology. For gamers, content creators, and everyday users seeking a reliable, stylish smartphone, the Nord 5 is a compelling choice that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for flagship-grade performance. With its launch sparking widespread excitement, the Nord 5 is set to shine as one of 2025’s most iconic mid-range devices.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 6:54 pm by Shashivardhan Reddy | Published by: Shashivardhan Reddy on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 6:54 pm | News Categories: Technology
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