OnePlus is back with its popular Nord series, and like every year, it’s launching two smartphones — the OnePlus Nord 5 and the OnePlus Nord CE 5. While both phones were recently launched in China, they are expected to hit the Indian market next month. Today, we’ll be focusing on the OnePlus Nord CE 5, and see whether it truly brings meaningful upgrades over its predecessor, especially considering the Nord CE 4 set a solid benchmark in design, display, and performance, though it had average cameras.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 comes with improvements, especially in the camera department, and aims to be a solid mid-range option. It’s also worth mentioning that this series is one of the few from OnePlus that hasn’t been plagued much by the green line issue — a concern in recent AMOLED phones.
Display: A Familiar Yet Refined Experience
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 features a 6.77-inch 1.5K Super AMOLED flat display with a punch-hole design and 120Hz refresh rate. One question arises: Why does OnePlus continue to offer flat displays in the Nord series? In my personal opinion, flat displays are better, especially after using curved ones which often come with touch issues and light glare problems.
The color output on the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is fantastic — a trait common in Chinese smartphones — making it ideal for multimedia consumption. On top of that, it offers HDR support on both YouTube and Netflix, and comes protected with Gorilla Glass 7i, along with an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Design: A Throwback to Classic Nord Vibes
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 marks a design shift, going back to the classic Nord aesthetics. This time, we get a metal frame with a glass back, protected by Gorilla Glass, and a vertical camera setup. However, it’s disappointing that even in 2025, OnePlus still hasn’t included an IP rating in this segment.
Also, the phone is a bit bulky, weighing 199g and measuring 8.27mm in thickness which might not appeal to users preferring lightweight devices.
Performance: Balanced but Not Game-Centric
Last year, the Nord 4 had two different storage options with varying UFS speeds, which was a good move. For the OnePlus Nord CE 5, it features the Dimensity 9400e processor, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. This combo offers smooth daily performance, but if you’re expecting high-end gaming, this isn’t the best choice.
Extended gaming sessions on the OnePlus Nord CE 5 can lead to noticeable heating, and it may struggle to maintain high FPS in demanding games. There’s speculation that a higher variant might include Dimensity 9400 Ultra and UFS 4.0, which could be a better fit for gamers.
OS: OxygenOS Making a Strong Comeback
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 runs on OxygenOS, and this time OnePlus seems serious about reviving its clean UI legacy. The interface is free from bloatware, no ads, and delivers a smooth, refined experience.
Although the phone currently comes with Android 15, there’s a possibility it may launch in India with Android 16, giving it an upper hand in the market. As for updates, users can expect 4 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security patches — which is quite competitive in this segment.
Camera: Still a Weak Link?
When it comes to photography, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 doesn’t make a huge leap forward. The camera performance has been inconsistent since the Nord CE 4, and unfortunately, that trend continues. Despite OnePlus claiming improvements, the real-world results are just okay.
Selfies and videos are below average, and if you’re looking for a phone that excels in the camera department, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 might not meet your expectations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Rear Camera | 50 MP (Main) + 8 MP (Ultra Wide) |
| OIS | Yes |
| Auto Focus | Yes |
| Camera Features | AI Scene Enhancement, AI Highlight Video, Dual-view Video, HDR, Nightscape, Portrait Mode, Pano, Retouching, Filters |
| Video Recording (Rear) | 4K, 1080p, 720p |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
| Front Camera | 16 MP ƒ/2.4 (Main), Punch Hole, Screen Flash |
| Video Recording (Front) | 1080p, 720p |
Battery: One of Its Strongest Points
Now here’s where the OnePlus Nord CE 5 really shines. It packs a 6,930mAh battery — almost a 7,000mAh beast — paired with a blazing-fast 100W charger. This is a game-changer in the mid-range category, offering both excellent battery life and quick top-ups.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5?
To sum it up, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a solid mid-range phone with notable upgrades in battery, display, and software experience. However, it still falls short in camera performance and gaming capabilities, which may turn off some users.
But if your priorities are battery life, clean UI, and daily smooth performance, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a worthwhile pick. Considering the past performance of the CE series and the fact that it’s less affected by hardware issues, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 stands as a reliable choice in 2025’s crowded smartphone market.
