The OnePlus Nord 5 arrived with a lot of buzz and hype a ₹30,000 phone boasting a 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, and a massive 6800mAh battery. But under the shiny spec sheet lies a reality that’s not as impressive. After spending time with the phone, I’ve identified 5 major problems with Nord 5 that buyers need to seriously consider before hitting “Buy Now.”
So, let’s break down every problem with Nord 5 that could turn your excitement into regret.
Plastic Build in a Premium Price Tag
The first and most visible problems with Nord 5 is its build quality. Last year’s Nord 4 had a metal frame and metal back, offering a solid in-hand feel. But Nord 5? It switches to a plastic frame with just a glass back. For a ₹30K device, this feels like a clear downgrade.
Sure, it’s slim and comes with IP65 water/dust resistance, but the budget feel doesn’t inspire confidence. If you’ve used Nord phones in the past, this change feels like a betrayal.
Display Looks Great… On Paper Only
Another problems with Nord 5 is the display experience. Yes, it’s a 6.83-inch 144Hz LTPS AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution. But in real usage, the refresh rate sticks to 120Hz most of the time. There’s no HDR support for Netflix or YouTube and no dual stereo speakers either.
You’re paying flagship-level money in the budget segment yet getting a display that feels just average. This is a serious problem with Nord 5, especially when cheaper phones offer HDR10+ and stereo audio.
Processor Feels Like a Shortcut
Performance is where things get weird. The Chinese version got the Dimensity 9400e. But Indian buyers? They’re stuck with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a 2023 chip that now feels outdated in 2025.
That’s right yet another problems with Nord 5 is its old chipset, especially when brands like iQOO and Poco offer Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 at similar prices. Sure, daily tasks and gaming are fine, but if you’re expecting long-term power or gaming-grade performance, you’ll be disappointed.
This intentional cost-cutting move doesn’t align with the pricing at all, making it a big problem with Nord 5.
Software Isn’t as Clean as Before
The OxygenOS 15 running on Android 15 should’ve been a strength and to be fair, OnePlus promises 4 years of updates. But another problems with Nord 5 is the bloatware.
From unwanted Chinese-brand apps to tools you’ll likely uninstall within hours, the experience isn’t as “clean” as OnePlus used to promise.
Yes, things are improving but if you’re coming back to OnePlus expecting a bloat-free interface, this problem with Nord 5 may catch you off guard.
Cameras Are Good, But Not Great
Now, this might be controversial. The output from the 50MP front and rear cameras is honestly better than expected but the specs are barebones. There’s no telephoto lens, the ultra-wide doubles as a macro lens, and there’s no hardware-level optical zoom.
The lack of flagship-level camera hardware, despite promising output, means there’s still a problem with Nord 5 in terms of camera versatility. You’ll get nice portraits and daylight shots, but photography enthusiasts might find it limiting.
Final Thoughts: Should You Worry?
The OnePlus Nord 5 still offers value in areas like battery life (6800mAh + 80W fast charging is top-notch), and the clean(ish) OS adds some appeal. But that doesn’t take away the multiple problems with Nord 5 that hold it back from being the best in its price range.
Here’s a quick recap of every problems with Nord 5 we discussed:
- Cheap plastic build
- Average display with no stereo sound or HDR
- Outdated processor in a new phone
- Bloatware in OxygenOS
- Limited camera hardware despite good image output
👉 If you’re loyal to OnePlus and the Nord brand, you might live with these compromises. But for most buyers in 2025 looking for true value, the problems with Nord 5 is that it doesn’t live up to the hype.
It’s time for OnePlus to stop cutting corners and start settling back into greatness.
