Why the OnePlus Nord 5 Launch Matters
After months of leaks, OnePlus finally unveiled the OnePlus Nord 5 on 8 July 2025, and it’s shaking up the mid-range segment. By dropping the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3—Qualcomm’s latest 4 nm flagship-lite chip—into a £399 phone, OnePlus is promising flagship performance without the flagship price.
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World Premiere OnePlus Nord 5 Global Version Smartphone 50MP LYT-700 Camera…
— $369.00
$615.00 - OnePlus Nord 5 Dual-SIM 256GB ROM + 8GB RAM (GSM Only | No CDMA) Factory… —
Whether you’re a gamer chasing 120 FPS in Call of Duty Mobile, a content creator needing 4 K selfie video, or simply tired of slow mid-range silicon, the Nord 5 claims to solve those pain points. Below, we break down every spec, benchmark, and real-world test so you can decide if it’s worth upgrading.
Design & Build — Slim, Sleek, Slightly Plastic
| Dimension | Weight | Materials | IP Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 163.4 × 77 × 8.1 mm | 211 g | Gorilla Glass 7i front & back, plastic frame | IP65 |
Key takeaways:
- Looks premium, but the plastic frame keeps costs down.
- New “Plus Key” replaces the Alert Slider—fully customisable for AI Translate, flashlight, etc.
- Colours: Phantom Grey, Dry Ice (blue), Marble Sands (shimmering white).
Display — 144 Hz AMOLED on a Budget?
- 6.83-inch Swift AMOLED
- Resolution: 1272 × 2800 (1.5 K), 450 ppi
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz adaptive (30/60/90/120/144)
- Brightness: 1,800 nits peak, 1,400 nits HBM
- Eye-care: 3 840 Hz PWM dimming, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Real-world result:
Scrolling Instagram at 144 Hz feels liquid-smooth, while the 3,840 Hz PWM keeps eye-strain low at night. Outdoor visibility under direct sunlight is excellent thanks to 1,400-nit HBM.
Performance — Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Benchmarks & Gaming
Benchmarks vs. Rivals (Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10)
| Device | Single-core | Multi-core | AnTuTu v10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnePlus Nord 5 | 1 924 | 4 938 | 1 470 420 |
| Pixel 9a | 1 775 | 4 400 | 1 310 000 |
| Nord 4 | 1 680 | 4 450 | 1 120 000 |
Gaming FPS Tests (GameBench 30 min)
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUBG Mobile | Smooth + Extreme+ | 144 | 96 % |
| CoD Mobile | Very High + Max | 120 | 94 % |
| Genshin Impact | High + 60 | 58 | 92 % |
Cooling: 7 300 mm² Cryo-Velocity VC keeps temps under 42 °C after 30 min of Genshin.
Charging: Direct power to the motherboard during gaming reduces heat and battery wear.
Cameras — 50 MP Main & 50 MP Selfie Deep Dive
Rear Cameras
- 50 MP Sony LYT-700 (1/1.56″, f/1.8, OIS)
- 8 MP ultra-wide (116°, f/2.2, macro 3.5 cm)
Sample shots:
- Daylight: Crisp detail, accurate colour, wide dynamic range (Ultra HDR).
- Nightscape: OIS + AI noise reduction yields usable shots at 1/4 s handheld.
- Ultra-wide: Soft edges; best for daylight landscapes.
Front Camera
- 50 MP Samsung JN5 (f/2.0, 21 mm, AF)
- 4 K 60 fps selfie video with EIS—great for vloggers.
AI tricks: AI Eraser, AI Reflection Remover, AI Best Face (blink detection).
Battery — 5 200 mAh vs 6 800 mAh & 80 W Charging
| Region | Capacity | 0-100 % Charge Time | 30-min Top-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/US | 5 200 mAh | 42 min | 78 % |
| India | 6 800 mAh | 53 min | 80 % |
PCMark Work 3.0 Battery Test: 13 h 37 min (EU model).
Screen-on-time (SOT): 7-9 h mixed use, up to 2 days light use.
Software — OxygenOS 15, AI Plus Mind & Update Roadmap
- OS: Android 15 out-of-box, OxygenOS 15 skin.
- AI Plus Mind Space: Screenshot → AI summary → Calendar event. (Currently image-only; voice notes coming via OTA.)
- Update Promise: 4 OS upgrades (→ Android 19) + 6 yrs security patches.
- No bloatware aside from Netflix and the OnePlus Community app.
Audio & Connectivity
- Stereo speakers with Dirac tuning; no 3.5 mm jack.
- Bluetooth 5.4 aptX HD / LHDC 5.0.
- NFC, Wi-Fi 6, dual-SIM 5G (n77/n78 C-band ready).
- IP65 splash resistance (not full IP68).
OnePlus Nord 5 vs Competition
| Spec | Nord 5 | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A55 | Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | SD 8s Gen 3 | SD 7+ Gen 3 | Exynos 1480 | Tensor G4 |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Main Camera | 50 MP OIS | 50 MP OIS | 50 MP OIS | 64 MP OIS |
| Charging | 80 W | 45 W | 25 W | 18 W |
| Price (8/256 GB) | £399 | £399 | £439 | £449 |
Verdict: Nord 5 wins on raw performance and charging speed, but Samsung offers IP68 and wireless charging.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flagship-grade SD 8s Gen 3 at mid-range price
- 144 Hz AMOLED with 1,800 nits peak
- 50 MP OIS main + 50 MP selfie cameras
- 80 W SuperVOOC + big battery
- 4 OS upgrades & 6 yrs security
Cons
− Plastic frame (vs Nord 4 metal)
− No wireless charging
− 8 MP ultra-wide is mediocre
− Slightly bulky at 211 g
Price, Storage & Where to Buy
| Variant | US | EU | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 GB + 256 GB | $399 | €449 | ₹31 999 |
| 12 GB + 256 GB | — | — | ₹34 999 |
| 12 GB + 512 GB | $449 | €499 | ₹37 999 |
Final Verdict — Should You Buy It?
If you want flagship speed, a buttery-smooth 144 Hz AMOLED, and all-day battery life without paying $700+, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a no-brainer. Gamers and power users will love the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and 80 W charging, while the 50 MP selfie camera makes it a solid pick for vloggers.
On the flip side, if wireless charging, IP68, or a metal frame are non-negotiable, look at the Galaxy A55 or save up for a flagship.
Found this review helpful? Drop a comment below with your Nord 5 questions or share your gaming FPS results!
I'm Salim, the creator and tech enthusiast behind this website. My passion for technology has been a lifelong journey, fueled by a deep curiosity about how things work and a desire to explore the latest gadgets and innovations that shape our world.