OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE5 Debut: A Fresh Take on Mid-Range Smartphones
OnePlus is shaking things up in the mid-range market with the release of the Nord 5 and Nord CE5. Just weeks after launching the OnePlus 13S, they're expanding their global lineup with these two devices. What's interesting is their approach to the battery – it varies depending on where you live.
The Nord 5 is the more premium of the two, boasting a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor. Think of it as a slightly toned-down version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but still powerful enough for demanding games. You can get it with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and 256GB or 512GB of storage.
AI and Unique Features
OnePlus is pushing hard on the AI front. They're even replacing the alert slider with a "Plus Key," similar to what some expect from the iPhone 16’s Action Button. This gives you quick access to "Mind Space," their AI feature. It's designed to securely process and store your information through a "Private Computing Cloud." I find it quite interesting how companies are integrating AI in creative ways!
Mind Space can grab info from screenshots, summarize it, and save it for later. Plus, the Nord 5 can help you write messages, transcribe calls, and translate in real-time. Right now, these features are just for English speakers. But in my opinion, it may be a matter of time before they are expanded to other languages.
The Nord 5 also sports a 144Hz refresh rate AMOLED display, which is a first for OnePlus. The 6.38-inch screen has a resolution of 2,800 x 1,272 pixels and a peak brightness of 1,400 nits. It supports HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision. For photos, it uses a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide, similar to the OnePlus 13R. The front camera is a 50MP shooter with autofocus, which is great for selfies. All cameras record 4K video at 60fps, with Electronic Image Stabilization. Only the main camera has Optical Image Stabilization, but that's limited to 1080p at 30fps.
Now, about that battery situation. OnePlus is using different sized batteries depending on the region. India and other Asian countries get a beefy 6,800mAh battery, while the UK and Europe get a smaller 5,200mAh. This is likely due to EU regulations on battery shipments. Both versions support 80W fast charging and bypass charging, which stops charging the battery while you're gaming to prevent overheating.
The Nord 5 comes in three colors: Marble Sands, Dry Ice, and Phantom Grey. The back is glass, but OnePlus went with plastic for the mid-frame, which some might see as a downgrade from the Nord 4's metal design. It's a trade-off, I suppose.
The Nord CE5 feels more like a traditional mid-range phone, focusing on practicality and affordability. It uses a Dimensity 8350 chipset with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, expandable with a microSD card. It can even run games like Call of Duty: Mobile at 120fps on lower settings.
The CE5 has a 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an in-display fingerprint scanner. It also supports HDR10+, but no Dolby Vision. While it lacks the Mind Space AI features, it does have other AI capabilities for transcription, text composition, image editing, and in-app searches. The CE5 runs Android 15 with OxygenOS and will get four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, just like the Nord 5.
The Nord CE5 also has dual rear cameras with 50MP and 8MP resolutions, but with smaller sensors. The front camera is a 16MP shooter without autofocus. The rear camera records 4K at 60fps, while the front is limited to 1080p. The battery is also region-dependent, with India getting a 7,100mAh battery and Europe/UK getting a 5,200mAh battery. Charging remains at 80W across all regions.
To cut costs, the Nord CE5 uses plastic for the back and mid-frame. It comes in Black Infinity, Marble Mist, and Nexus Blue.
The OnePlus Nord 5 starts at £399 in the UK, while the Nord CE5 starts at £299. Both are available for sale in the UK right now. The US usually only sees the "Lite" versions of the CE series, rebranded as entry-level Nord N series. It's unclear if we'll see the Nord CE5 Lite in the US, especially with the possibility of a ban on OnePlus phones there. Along with these phones, OnePlus is also launching the OnePlus Pad Lite, Buds 4, and a smaller Watch 3 in the US.
Source: AndroidAuthority