OnePlus Nord 5 hands-on review: Solid performer with reasonable compromises

I have always had a soft spot for mid-range phones. They promise a taste of flagship performance without emptying your wallet. That is exactly what drew me to the new OnePlus Nord 5.

It is the latest attempt by OnePlus to balance power, design and usability at a price that feels fair. 

Using the Nord 5 for a couple of weeks, I found it exactly as the brand 'Nord' always stood for — a reliable device that handles everything reasonably well.

Build and design

The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Nord 5 was its light frame. OnePlus has moved away from the aluminium edges of last year's Nord 4 to a plastic build. While it does not feel as premium, the flat edges and muted sand-ish finish give it a stylish look.

The new pill-shaped camera block is another change from its predecessor, giving it a 2023-ish vibe. However, the phone remains comfortable to hold despite its large 6.83-inch size, but that is partly because of my above-average-sized hands. The IP65 rating gives some reassurance against dust and splashes.

Perhaps the most controversial shift is the removal of the beloved Alert Slider. OnePlus has replaced it with what it calls the Plus Key. This button can switch sound modes or trigger a few functions like opening the camera or turning on the flashlight. It is useful, but it cannot beat the convenience of the Alert Slider.

Display

If there is one feature that truly stands out, it is the screen. The Nord 5 comes with a 6.83-inch OLED panel that supports up to 144Hz refresh rate. Scrolling feels buttery smooth, and colours appear vibrant. Watching videos on the sharp and vivid display with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support was a treat.

However, the full 144Hz refresh rate only works in select games. For everyday use, the maximum you will see is 120Hz. While slightly dimmer than the previous model, hitting 1400 nits normally and 1800 at peak, the screen still performs well under bright sunlight.

The flat edges and muted sand-ish finish give it a stylish look. Photo: Imran Hossain

One common concern about OnePlus phones is the green line issue. The good news is that OnePlus Bangladesh has confirmed that all 'Made in Bangladesh' official devices come with a lifetime display warranty, meaning, they will replace your display if any vertical line appears, as long as it is within the parts supply period.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nord 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip. This is the first Nord phone to use a Snapdragon 8-series processor, and the difference is noticeable.

While I am not a gamer, for testing purposes, I tried the popular Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile for a while. The gameplay was smooth, and there was no sign of lagging. The phone became a bit warm, but there was no overheating, thanks to its improved cooling system.

For day-to-day use, though, you will have no trouble. Apps open quickly, multitasking is effortless and even demanding games run well.

Software and AI

The phone runs OxygenOS 15 on top of Android 15, which feels clean and responsive. OnePlus promises four major OS updates and six years of security patches, which is reassuring.

AI is a big talking point here. You get Google Gemini integration, Circle to Search, and OnePlus' own AI suite. The Mind Space feature can analyse screenshots, summarise text and even pull reminders from what you capture.

In practice, it is occasionally useful, but also frustratingly limited. For example, it only works with screenshots, so longer articles need multiple captures to piece together a full summary.

The Plus Key, by default, ties into this AI system. You can trigger the AI to store and analyse content with a press. It is neat, but not as practical as it sounds. In everyday life, I often forgot it even existed.

Cameras

Cameras are where compromises become clear. The Nord 5 offers a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide and a 50MP selfie camera. On paper, that sounds solid, and in practice, it is mixed.

The main camera delivers rich colours and good dynamic range. Portraits look sharp, and daylight shots are more than satisfactory for this price point. However, indoors and in low light conditions, the camera starts to fade — it produces soft images with unimpressive details.

The 8MP ultrawide camera feels dated. It produces softer images with limited detail, especially in low light.

The real star of the show is the selfie camera. With 50MP and autofocus, it captures detailed and well-lit shots, even in darker settings. If you take a lot of selfies or video calls, this is a major plus. Video performance is also respectable, with 4K recording at 60fps supported on the main and front cameras. However, with the ultrawide, the best you can do is 1080p at 30fps.

Battery life

Battery is a crucial part of any mid-range phone, and the Nord 5 offers impressive results. The variant launched in Bangladesh comes with a whopping 6800mAh battery. In daily use, it lasted a full day comfortably, and another half. With moderate usage, it can last up to two days.

Charging is handled by 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which takes a little more than an hour to juice up the phone. Unlike the European variant, the charger is included in the box.

However, there is no wireless charging, which of course, not many people expect at this price point. Bypass charging feature while gaming is a nice touch.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 5 is a phone that gets many things right. It delivers performance that punches above its weight, a beautiful display, and one of the best selfie cameras in its class. The battery life is amazing, with the charging speed being the cherry on top.

At the same time, OnePlus has made choices that feel like  a step backwards. The move to plastic, the unimpressive ultrawide camera, and the limited AI features all make the phone feel less ambitious than it could have been.

If you are after raw performance on a budget, the Nord 5 is a worthy contender. For me, the Nord 5 feels like a strong but slightly cautious release from OnePlus. Those who are in the market for a reliable smartphone with smooth software experience, Nord 5 is the way to go.

The only variant launched officially in Bangladesh is the one with 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage, and it comes with a price tag of Tk53,999.