OnePlus Nord N300 5G

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G is available in Qatar with a single variant featuring 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The price for this model ranges from QAR 488 to QAR 828, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

It’s important to note that prices may fluctuate based on market conditions and availability.

OnePlus Nord N300 5G Specifications

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G was initially released on November 3, 2022. Despite being almost two years old at this point, it continues to offer a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers looking for 5G connectivity.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G sports a modern design that belies its budget-friendly price point. With dimensions of 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm, it strikes a balance between screen size and pocketability. The phone weighs 190 grams, which is relatively light for a device with a 5000mAh battery.

The front of the device is dominated by the 6.56-inch IPS LCD display, which features a waterdrop notch housing the 16MP selfie camera. The bezels are reasonably thin for a budget device, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 84%, which is commendable for a phone in this price range.

On the back, you’ll find a plastic panel with a subtle texture that helps prevent fingerprints and provides a good grip. The dual-camera setup is housed in a rectangular module that protrudes slightly from the body. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the side, doubling as the power button for quick and easy unlocking.

Display

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. While the resolution might seem low compared to some higher-end models, it’s important to remember that this is a budget-friendly device. The pixel density of 269 PPI (pixels per inch) is sufficient for most users and helps conserve battery life.

One of the standout features of this display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and more fluid animations compared to standard 60Hz displays, enhancing the overall user experience. It’s particularly impressive to see this feature in a budget smartphone, as it was once reserved for more expensive models.

The IPS LCD technology ensures good color reproduction and wide viewing angles. While it may not match the deep blacks and contrast ratios of OLED displays, it still provides a pleasant viewing experience for everyday use, whether you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the OnePlus Nord N300 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset. This 6nm processor offers a good balance of performance and energy efficiency, making it well-suited for a 5G budget smartphone. The octa-core CPU configuration includes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz for demanding tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz for everyday operations and improved power efficiency.

The device comes with 4GB of RAM, which is adequate for light to moderate multitasking. While it may not be sufficient for heavy multitaskers or power users, it should handle everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming without significant issues.

Storage-wise, the OnePlus Nord N300 5G offers 64GB of UFS 2.2 storage. This faster storage technology provides quicker app loading times and improved system responsiveness compared to older eMMC storage often found in budget devices. For users who need more space, the phone supports storage expansion via a microSDXC card slot, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage.

Camera System

The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord N300 5G is relatively simple but capable. The main rear camera features a 48MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture. This high-resolution sensor uses pixel binning technology to combine four pixels into one, resulting in 12MP images with improved light sensitivity and reduced noise, especially in low-light conditions.

Accompanying the main camera is a 2MP depth sensor. This secondary camera assists with portrait mode shots, helping to create a more natural-looking background blur or bokeh effect. While it’s not as versatile as having an ultra-wide or telephoto lens, it does enhance the phone’s portrait photography capabilities.

On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera housed in the waterdrop notch. This camera should be more than capable of handling video calls and social media selfies with good detail and color accuracy in well-lit environments.

The camera app offers various modes and features, including Night mode for low-light photography, Portrait mode for bokeh effects, and Pro mode for manual control over camera settings. Video recording capabilities include 1080p at 30 frames per second for both the rear and front cameras.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the standout features of the OnePlus Nord N300 5G is its large 5000mAh battery. This capacity is impressive for a budget smartphone and should easily provide a full day of usage for most users, even with 5G enabled. Power users might even stretch it to two days with more conservative usage patterns.

The device supports 33W fast charging, which is a significant upgrade over many budget smartphones that often come with 10W or 18W charging. This faster charging speed means you can quickly top up your battery when you’re in a hurry. OnePlus claims that you can get a day’s power in just 30 minutes of charging, which is a handy feature for those who are always on the go.

It’s worth noting that while the OnePlus Nord N300 5G supports fast wired charging, it does not offer wireless charging capabilities. This is a common omission in budget smartphones and shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for most users in this price range.

Software and User Experience

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G runs on OxygenOS based on Android 12. OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions and optimizations. It offers a smooth and responsive user interface that many users appreciate for its lack of bloatware and intuitive design.

Some key features of OxygenOS include:

1. Dark Mode: A system-wide dark theme that’s easier on the eyes and can help conserve battery life.
2. Zen Mode: A feature that helps you disconnect from your phone by limiting its functionality for a set period.
3. Customization options: You can personalize various aspects of the interface, including icon shapes, accent colors, and more.
4. Game Space: A dedicated gaming mode that optimizes performance and blocks notifications for an immersive gaming experience.

It’s important to note that as of September 2024, the OnePlus Nord N300 5G may have received software updates beyond its original Android 12 release. However, budget devices typically receive fewer updates than flagship models, so it’s worth checking the current software status if you’re considering this phone.

5G Connectivity

As the name suggests, the OnePlus Nord N300 5G supports 5G connectivity. This is a significant feature for a budget smartphone, as it future-proofs the device and allows users to take advantage of faster data speeds where 5G networks are available.

The phone supports various 5G bands, including n2, n25, n41, n66, n71, and n77. This wide range of supported bands ensures good 5G compatibility across different networks. However, it’s important to check with your local carriers to confirm which 5G bands they use and whether they’re compatible with this device.

In addition to 5G, the phone also supports 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G networks, ensuring you’ll have connectivity even in areas where 5G isn’t yet available.

Additional Features

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G comes with several additional features that enhance its value proposition:

1. Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Quick and reliable biometric authentication.
2. Face unlock: An alternative method for unlocking your device.
3. Dual SIM support: Useful for those who need to manage multiple phone numbers.
4. 3.5mm headphone jack: A feature that’s becoming increasingly rare, even in budget phones.
5. Bluetooth 5.1: For reliable wireless connectivity with headphones, speakers, and other devices.
6. NFC: Enables contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.

Comparison with Similar Models

When comparing the OnePlus Nord N300 5G to other devices in its price range, it holds up well in several areas.

Let’s look at how it stacks up against some competitors:

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, released around the same time, offers a slightly better display with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen and higher resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). It also comes with more storage (128GB) and runs on a newer Android version. However, the OnePlus Nord N300 5G counters with faster charging (33W vs 25W) and a higher refresh rate display (90Hz vs 60Hz).

The Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023 model) is another competitor in this price range. It offers similar specifications, including a 5000mAh battery and 5G connectivity. The Moto G Power has a slight edge with its 6.5-inch Full HD+ display and 256GB storage option, but the OnePlus Nord N300 5G still wins in terms of charging speed and brand reputation for software experience.

When compared to its successor, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G, the N300 5G naturally falls short in some areas. The N30 5G offers a larger 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. However, the N300 5G remains a viable option for those looking for a more budget-friendly device with 5G capabilities.

In the broader context of the Qatari smartphone market, the OnePlus Nord N300 5G occupies an interesting position. It offers 5G connectivity at a price point that’s accessible to many consumers, making it an attractive option for those looking to experience faster mobile data speeds without breaking the bank. While it may not have the most cutting-edge specifications, its combination of a large battery, fast charging, and 5G support make it a compelling choice in the budget segment.

Pros and Cons

To help you make an informed decision, let’s summarize the main advantages and disadvantages of the OnePlus Nord N300 5G:

Pros

1. Affordable 5G smartphone
2. Large 5000mAh battery
3. Fast 33W charging
4. 90Hz refresh rate display
5. Clean OxygenOS software experience
6. 3.5mm headphone jack
7. Expandable storage

Cons

1. Low resolution display (720p)
2. Limited RAM (4GB) may affect multitasking
3. Basic camera setup
4. Plastic build may feel less premium
5. May not receive as many software updates as flagship models

Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord N300 5G?

The OnePlus Nord N300 5G is an excellent choice for several types of users:

1. Budget-conscious consumers: If you’re looking for a 5G smartphone without spending a lot, this device offers great value.
2. First-time smartphone buyers: The clean software experience and decent performance make it a good entry-level option.
3. Students: The long battery life and affordable price point are ideal for students on a budget.
4. Light to moderate users: If your smartphone use primarily involves social media, messaging, and web browsing, this phone will serve you well.
5. 5G early adopters: For those eager to experience 5G without investing in a premium device, the Nord N300 5G is a great starting point.