OnePlus Nord 2 5G

Build Quality

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, launched on July 28, 2021, features a glass front (Corning Gorilla Glass 5) and back, encased in a plastic frame. It measures 159.1 mm in height, 73.3 mm in width, and 8.3 mm in depth, weighing in at 189 grams. The phone feels relatively sturdy and premium, but the plastic frame is a compromise at this price point. Color options include Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, and a special Pac-Man Edition.

Screen Quality

The device sports a 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), resulting in a pixel density of approximately 409 ppi. The panel supports a 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and covers the DCI-P3 color gamut. The screen's 20:9 aspect ratio and 180 Hz touch sampling rate provide an immersive and responsive experience. Typical brightness is around 500 cd/m² with good color accuracy. It uses a Super AMOLED Samsung E3 panel. The screen also has features like a hole-punch notch, 2.5D curved glass, and multi-touch support.

Camera Performance

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a triple-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS). This main sensor, sized at 1/1.56", employs pixel binning to achieve 1.00µm pixels. The secondary 8MP wide-angle lens utilizes a Sony IMX355 sensor (f/2.25, 1.14µm pixels), while a 2MP monochrome camera (f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels) completes the array. The camera setup also features a dual-LED flash, 10x digital zoom, and 4K video recording at 30fps with EIS. Slow motion video is available at 240fps. The selfie camera is a 32MP Sony IMX615 with an f/2.45 aperture and also uses pixel binning to achieve 0.8µm pixels. The camera app offers features like autofocus, touch focus, continuous autofocus, Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), and various modes such as panorama, HDR, face detection, and RAW capture.

Software Experience

The phone launched with Android 11 and has been upgraded to Android 13. OnePlus’s OxygenOS enhances the Android experience with customizations and performance optimizations. The operating system features a clean interface and fluid animations. The device receives regular software updates.

Battery Performance

Powering the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is a 4500 mAh Li-Polymer battery, supporting 65W fast charging. The device does not offer wireless charging. The battery life is usually enough to last a full day of moderate use, and the fast charging capabilities allow for quick top-ups.

Value for Money

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is considered a medium-priced phone. It comes in a few different configurations. The 8GB RAM/128GB storage version is priced around $185-$280, while the 12GB RAM/256GB version is priced around $405-$480 (depending on the retailer). There is also a 6GB RAM/128 GB version available in India. Considering its combination of a capable chipset, high refresh rate AMOLED display, competent cameras, fast charging, and clean software, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G offers considerable value for its price bracket. It delivers good performance and is well-suited for everyday use.