OnePlus Nord CE4 is a mid-range smartphone created by OnePlus to attract new users to their ecosystem. It is equipped with midrange-level specifications such as the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 platform, a stunning design, and a beautiful display. The phone is priced at ₹24,999 and it remains to be seen if it will be the best mid-range smartphone. Let’s explore its features and find out.
DESIGN
The Nord CE4 features a flat design and lightweight build, making it comfortable to hold and easy to use with one hand. The front features a center-positioned punch-hole cutout for the selfie shooter. The display is a 6.7-inch FHD+ Fluid AMOLED panel with a Narrow bezel.
Turning to the back, the Nord CE4 sports a sizeable oval-shaped camera module housing dual camera sensors and an LED flash. The Celadon Marble colour option is striking and catches the eye with its distinct, marble-like texture on the back panel. It features a beautiful blend of green and white shades that create a visual depth, giving it a unique appearance. The finish is smooth to the touch, providing a comfortable grip and a premium feel to the device.
The button placement is straightforward, with the volume rocker and power button on the device’s right side. Sporting OnePlus’s signature sleek and modern design, the device boasts a slim profile and lightweight build, making it comfortable to hold and use.
PERFORMANCE
The OnePlus Nord CE4 is an attractive option in the mid-range smartphone market due to its blend of performance, design, and affordability. Its 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, which are enhanced by a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering a seamless experience for multimedia and gaming. The device is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 mobile chipset and 8GB of RAM, which provides smooth day-to-day performance and light multitasking capabilities. This hardware combination ensures that the device can handle various tasks efficiently, such as browsing the web, using productivity apps, streaming videos, and playing games. The phone runs OxygenOS 14, which is based on the latest version of Android 14. The software includes many useful customizations, features, and optimizations that enhance the user experience.
Gaming on the OnePlus Nord CE4 is quite satisfactory, thanks to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. The gaming performance is commendable, and high-end games such as BGMI and Call of Duty run at an average of 30-40 FPS. Other casual games run smoothly with good graphics, and with a 120Hz refresh rate, the gaming experience is quite enjoyable.
The device has an impressive battery life that can last an entire day due to its sizable 5500mAh battery. After using the device for the past week, I found that it has a good battery life and can last for a day on a single charge with moderate usage such as browsing the internet, watching reels and YouTube videos, and playing casual games while traveling. Additionally, the device comes with 100W fast charging support which is useful when you’re on the go and need to quickly top up your device before heading out.
Camera
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 boasts a triple-camera setup, with the primary camera being a 50-megapixel sensor. In well-lit conditions, the primary camera captures impressive detail and vibrant colours. The images are generally sharp and have a good dynamic range, making them suitable for social media sharing and casual photography. However, the performance tends to drop slightly in low light conditions, with some noise creeping into the images. Night mode helps alleviate this somewhat, but it may not match up to the low-light performance of more premium smartphones. Complementing the primary sensor is an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The ultra-wide angle lens expands the field of view, allowing users to capture more of the scene in a single frame. It performs admirably in well-lit conditions, offering decent detail and minimal distortion towards the edges of the frame. However, in low-light situations, the performance suffers, with images exhibiting more noise and less detail than the primary sensor. Portrait shots taken with this sensor generally turn out well, with accurate subject detection and pleasing background blur. However, like the other sensors, its performance diminishes in low light.
On the front, the OnePlus Nord CE4 features a 16MP selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout. Selfies taken with this camera are sharp and detailed, with natural skin tones. The camera app offers users various beauty modes and filters to enhance their selfies further. In good lighting conditions, selfies turn out impressive, but like the rear cameras, low-light performance is mediocre.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 supports video recording up to 4K resolution at 30fps. The video quality is decent, with good stabilization and detail in well-lit environments. However, the lack of optical image stabilization can produce shaky footage, especially when shooting handheld. The dynamic range could also be better, with highlights sometimes getting blown out in high-contrast scenes.
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE4 offers a compelling package with its blend of affordability, decent camera performance, and overall features. While it may not be the best phone on the market, it stands out as a strong contender in the mid-range segment. Its capable processor, smooth software experience, and respectable camera system make it an excellent choice for those seeking a balance between performance and value. However, whether it’s the best phone depends on your needs and priorities. If you prioritize camera performance above all else, other options may be worth considering. Nonetheless, for users looking for a well-rounded smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, the OnePlus Nord CE4 deserves serious consideration.