OnePlus has been on a roll this year with impressive releases, including the OnePlus 12, 12R, OnePlus Watch 2, and OnePlus Nord CE 4. These gadgets have been praised for their stylish designs, solid performance, and competitive prices. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, OnePlus is back with the OnePlus Nord 4, aiming to make a splash in the under-₹30,000 market.
Unboxing Experience and Design Features
The OnePlus Nord 4 comes well-equipped right out of the box. Inside, you’ll find the phone itself, a red Type A to Type C cable, a SIM ejector tool, a 100W adapter, a transparent case, and some paperwork. I tested the high-end model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, in the sleek Obsidian Midnight color.
Although the Nord 4 isn’t the lightest at 200 grams and 8mm thick, it’s well-balanced and comfortable to hold. Its metal unibody and dual-tone finish give it a premium feel, while the new horizontal camera design is both modern and visually appealing. The shiny back, however, can pick up fingerprints easily. Despite its large camera bumps, the phone doesn’t wobble when placed on a flat surface.
The device features an IR blaster, USB 2.0 port, in-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and an IP65 rating for splash and dust resistance.
Display
The Nord 4’s 6.74-inch AMOLED display is impressive with minimal bezels and a high screen-to-body ratio of 93.5%. Its peak brightness of 2,150 nits ensures good visibility even in direct sunlight. The display is sharp and vibrant, enhancing your multimedia experience. OnePlus’ AquaTouch technology lets you use the phone even with wet fingers or in light rain, though a tempered glass protector is recommended for extra durability.
Battery
The battery life is another strong point. The Nord 4 packs a 5,500mAh battery and supports 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging, taking the phone from 0 to 100% in just 30-35 minutes. With normal use, it comfortably lasts over a day, providing around 6.5 to 7 hours of screen-on time.
Software and AI Features
Running on OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14, the Nord 4 promises four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, which is exceptional for this price range. It also holds a TÜV SÜD Fluency 72 Month A rating, indicating long-term performance reliability.
The phone comes with a mix of pre-installed apps, including useful ones like LinkedIn and Netflix, but also some less necessary ones. While OxygenOS generally remains free of ads, recent updates have introduced app suggestions and a ‘Security Test’ page. The AI features, such as AI Eraser, Smart Cutout, and Auto Pixelate, are handy for everyday tasks. The Recorder app’s AI Recording Summary is particularly useful for translating or summarizing recordings.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, the Nord 4 offers strong performance, though it’s not quite as powerful as the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It scored 10,86,875 on Antutu and achieved 1,148 (single-core) and 3,572 (multi-core) on GeekBench 6. While the phone can get warm during intense tasks, it cools down quickly.
Everyday use and gaming, including titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile, are smooth with no noticeable performance drops.
Camera
The Nord 4 features a 50MP Sony LYT 600 primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The primary sensor performs well in good lighting, capturing detailed and vibrant photos, though it struggles in low light with some detail loss and color exaggeration. The ultra-wide lens is decent in daylight but faces similar issues in low light.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord 4 may have its flaws, like potential heating issues, average camera performance and lack of specified display protection but it’s a strong contender in its price range. With powerful hardware, impressive battery life, and extensive software support, the Nord 4 stands out as a compelling choice in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment.
