OnePlus Nord CE 5G

The base model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at QAR 1,249. The mid-tier variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is available for QAR 1,399.

For those seeking more power and storage, the top-end model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage can be purchased for QAR 1,599.

Specifications of OnePlus Nord CE 5G

Release Date and Availability

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G was officially released on June 10, 2021. It became available for purchase in Qatar shortly after its global launch. The device can be found in various electronics stores and online retailers across the country. Popular color options include Blue Void, Charcoal Ink, and Silver Ray.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a sleek and modern design that’s both stylish and functional. With its slim profile measuring just 7.9mm in thickness, it’s one of the thinnest OnePlus phones to date. The device features a plastic frame and back panel, which helps keep the weight down to a comfortable 170 grams. Despite the use of plastic, the phone feels premium in hand and doesn’t compromise on build quality.

The front of the device is dominated by the 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing decent protection against scratches and minor drops. The punch-hole camera cutout in the top-left corner is discreet and doesn’t interfere with the overall viewing experience.

On the back, you’ll find the vertically aligned triple-camera setup, which sits almost flush with the body. The OnePlus logo is centered on the back panel, adding a touch of brand identity. The phone’s edges are nicely curved, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods.

Display Technology

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G features a 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a crisp 410 pixels per inch. This Full HD+ panel offers excellent color reproduction and contrast, making it ideal for watching videos, browsing photos, or playing games.

One of the standout features of this display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and more fluid animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. It’s particularly noticeable when navigating through the user interface or playing games that support high refresh rates.

The display also supports sRGB and Display P3 color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the screen remains visible even under bright sunlight. The inclusion of HDR10+ support enhances the visual experience when watching compatible content, offering improved contrast and color range.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset. This octa-core processor offers a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. It’s capable of handling everyday tasks with ease and can even manage some demanding games at medium to high settings.

The device comes in three RAM configurations: 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB. All variants use LPDDR4X RAM, which provides fast data access and efficient multitasking. For storage, users can choose between 128GB and 256GB options, both using UFS 2.1 technology for quick read and write speeds.

One notable omission is the lack of expandable storage. There’s no microSD card slot, so users should carefully consider their storage needs when choosing a variant. However, the base 128GB should be sufficient for most users, especially with cloud storage options available.

Camera System

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear. The main sensor is a 64MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.79 aperture. This high-resolution sensor uses pixel binning technology to produce detailed 16MP images in most lighting conditions. It performs well in daylight, capturing sharp images with good color accuracy.

Accompanying the main sensor is an 8MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.25 aperture. This lens offers a 119-degree field of view, allowing you to capture more of the scene in a single shot. It’s particularly useful for landscape photography or group shots.

The third camera is a 2MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. While it doesn’t take photos directly, it helps in creating a more natural bokeh effect in portrait mode shots.

On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera with an f/2.45 aperture. It’s capable of taking detailed selfies and supports features like portrait mode and night mode.

The camera app offers various shooting modes, including Nightscape for low-light photography, Portrait mode for bokeh effects, and Pro mode for manual controls. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps and 1080p at up to 120fps for slow-motion footage.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which is quite generous for a mid-range device. This capacity typically provides all-day battery life for most users, even with moderate to heavy usage.

One of the standout features is the Warp Charge 30T Plus fast charging technology. This 30W fast charging system can charge the phone from 0 to 70% in just 30 minutes. It’s a significant convenience factor, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed.

While the device doesn’t support wireless charging, the fast wired charging largely compensates for this omission. The phone also includes various power-saving features in the software to help extend battery life when needed.

Software and User Experience

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G runs on OxygenOS 11, based on Android 11. OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions. The interface is smooth and intuitive, with minimal bloatware.

Some notable features of OxygenOS 11 include:

1. Always-on Display: Customizable clock styles and contextual information.
2. Dark Mode: System-wide dark theme with customizable schedules.
3. Zen Mode: Helps users take a break from their phone by limiting its functionality for a set period.
4. Game Space: Optimizes the device for gaming and provides tools to enhance the gaming experience.

OnePlus has a good track record of providing software updates, so users can expect to receive new features and security patches regularly.

Connectivity and 5G

As the name suggests, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G supports 5G connectivity. This makes it future-proof, allowing users to take advantage of high-speed 5G networks as they become more widely available in Qatar.

The device supports dual SIM cards, both capable of connecting to 5G networks. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC for contactless payments, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

One feature that sets the Nord CE 5G apart from some of its competitors is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a welcome addition for users who prefer wired audio or have existing wired headphones.

Comparison with Other OnePlus Models

When compared to its siblings, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G sits comfortably between the original Nord and the more budget-friendly Nord N10 5G. It offers a more refined experience than the Nord N10 5G, with a better AMOLED display and a more powerful processor. However, it lacks some features found in the original Nord, such as the dual selfie cameras and the slightly more powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset.

The Nord CE 5G outperforms the OnePlus Nord N100 in almost every aspect, offering 5G connectivity, a higher refresh rate display, and significantly better cameras. However, the N100 does have a larger 5000mAh battery, which might appeal to users prioritizing battery life over performance.

Compared to higher-end OnePlus models like the OnePlus 9 series, the Nord CE 5G naturally falls short in terms of raw performance and camera capabilities. However, it offers many of the core OnePlus experiences at a much more accessible price point.

Comparison with Competitors

In the mid-range smartphone market, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G faces stiff competition from devices like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and the iPhone SE (2020).

The Galaxy A52 5G offers similar specifications, including a 90Hz AMOLED display and 5G connectivity. It also adds water resistance and stereo speakers, which the Nord CE 5G lacks. However, the Nord CE 5G has faster charging and a cleaner software experience.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display and a 108MP main camera, which on paper outperforms the Nord CE 5G’s camera system. However, the Nord CE 5G offers 5G connectivity and arguably better software support.

The iPhone SE (2020), while older, still competes in this price range. It offers the powerful A13 Bionic chip and access to the iOS ecosystem. However, the Nord CE 5G has a more modern design, 5G support, and a more versatile camera system.

Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G?

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is an excellent choice for several types of users:

1. Budget-conscious consumers: Those looking for a feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank will find great value in the Nord CE 5G.
2. 5G early adopters: Users who want to future-proof their device with 5G connectivity at a mid-range price point.
3. OnePlus fans: Those who appreciate the OnePlus software experience but don’t want to spend flagship prices.
4. Multimedia enthusiasts: The 90Hz AMOLED display and capable camera system make it great for consuming and creating content.
5. Students and young professionals: The balance of performance, battery life, and affordability makes it suitable for these demographics.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Affordable 5G smartphone
2. Sleek, slim design
3. 90Hz AMOLED display
4. Fast charging with Warp Charge 30T Plus
5. Clean, user-friendly OxygenOS
6. Headphone jack included

Cons:

1. Plastic build might feel less premium
2. No wireless charging
3. No official IP rating for water resistance
4. No expandable storage