OnePlus Nord CE5 review: A mid-range smartphone with a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, reliable performance, solid cameras, and excellent battery life.
The OnePlus Nord CE5 is one of the most interesting mid-range smartphones from OnePlus. It focuses on delivering strong performance, excellent battery life, and a smooth software experience at a reasonable price.
With a starting price around ₹24,999 in India, the Nord CE5 competes with other mid-range smartphones from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and iQOO. But does it actually deliver good value for money? Let’s take a closer look.
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord CE5 follows the clean and minimalist design language OnePlus is known for. The phone has a sleek look with a simple camera module and slim body that feels comfortable to hold.
While the phone uses a plastic frame and back, it helps keep the device lightweight and durable.
Key design features include:
- Slim and lightweight design
- Clean rear camera layout
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- Punch-hole front camera
- Infrared (IR) blaster for controlling appliances
Overall, the design is modern and practical, although it does not feel as premium as glass-back flagship phones.
Verdict: Good build quality for its price range.
Display
The OnePlus Nord CE5 features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making the screen smooth and vibrant.
Display highlights include:
- 6.77-inch AMOLED display
- Full HD+ resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling
- HDR support for better video quality
- High brightness for outdoor visibility
Users report that the display is sharp, colorful, and very smooth, making it great for watching YouTube, browsing social media, and gaming.
Verdict: One of the best displays in the mid-range segment.
Performance
The Nord CE5 is powered by a capable chipset designed to handle daily tasks and gaming efficiently.
Performance highlights:
- Smooth multitasking
- Good gaming performance for titles like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Free Fire
- Efficient power management
- Up to 12GB RAM options available
According to user feedback, the phone performs very smoothly in everyday use, including app switching, streaming, and casual gaming.
Heavy games can run well on medium to high settings without major lag.
Verdict: Reliable performance for most users.
Camera Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE5 features a camera system designed for everyday photography.
Camera setup includes:
- 50MP primary camera
- 8MP ultra-wide camera
- 16MP front camera
Camera strengths reported by reviewers and users:
- Good daylight photography
- Accurate colors
- Decent portrait shots
- Reliable selfie camera
However, low-light performance is average, which is common for phones in this price segment.
Verdict: Good cameras for everyday photography.
Battery Life
One of the biggest highlights of the Nord CE5 is its large battery capacity.
Battery features:
- Large battery for long usage
- Fast charging support
- Easily lasts a full day with heavy usage
- Efficient power optimization
Many users report 1.5 to 2 days of battery life with moderate usage.
This makes it a great choice for people who want a phone that lasts all day without worrying about charging.
Verdict: Excellent battery life.
Software Experience
The phone runs OxygenOS based on Android, which is known for its smooth and clean interface.
Software advantages include:
- Minimal bloatware
- Smooth animations
- Useful customization features
- Regular security updates
Users generally prefer OxygenOS because it offers a near-stock Android experience with useful features.
Verdict: One of the best Android software experiences.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Excellent battery life
- Clean OxygenOS software
- Good everyday performance
- Reliable main camera
Cons
- Plastic build instead of glass
- Average low-light photography
- No flagship-level performance
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE5 is a solid mid-range smartphone that focuses on delivering the essentials: good performance, long battery life, and a smooth user experience.
If you are looking for a reliable smartphone under ₹25,000, the Nord CE5 is definitely worth considering.
It may not have flagship cameras or premium materials, but it delivers excellent value for everyday users.
Overall Rating: 8/10
