Also covers Nord CE 4 Lite Review for comparison
Introduction
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 launched in June 2025, starting at ₹24,999, with 8 GB/128 GB and 12 GB/256 GB variants. Positioned below the Nord series but above the CE Lite, it targets users seeking budget 5G performance, smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display, and clean OxygenOS—a true mid‑range flagship killer.
TL;DR: A compelling mid‑range phone delivering excellent AMOLED smoothness, Snapdragon performance, and OxygenOS polish—though charging speed and camera depth may leave power users wanting.
1. Unboxing & First Impressions
- Box contents:
- OnePlus Nord CE 5 handset
- 67 W SuperVOOC charger + USB‑C cable
- Pre‑installed clear TPU case
- SIM tray tool, user manual, warranty card
- Packaging & sustainability:
- Minimalist white recyclable box with black font
- Plastic tray reduced by 30% vs. Nike First Gen (OnePlus claimed)
- First look & feel:
- Matte plastic back, curved edges, lightweight at ~179 g
- Side‑mounted fingerprint, volume rocker, and tactile buttons
- Attractive colors: Sage Green, Stellar Blue, Moonstone Gray
2. Design & Build Quality
- Materials:
- Plastic frame vs. mid‑range metal rivals
- Matte finish resists fingerprints
- No official IP rating—we advise caution around water
- Ergonomics:
- Slim 7.8 mm thickness; single‑handed use is comfortable
- SIM tray is dual Nano‑SIM with eSIM support, no micro‑SD
- Button feedback:
- Delightfully clicky power button; smooth one‑handed control
- Sleek feel, though lacks premium heft of metal‑frame peers
3. Display
- Specs:
- 6.55″ AMOLED, FHD+ (2400 × 1080), 120 Hz refresh, 360 Hz touch sampling
- HDR10+ certified, peak brightness ~950 nits
- Color-performance:
- Covers 100% sRGB, ~ accuracy deltaE of 1.8 (excellent)
- Superb outdoor visibility & vivid tone reproduction
- User experience:
- Fluid scrolling, buttery animations, gaming responsiveness
4. Performance & Benchmarks
- SoC:
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm), 2×2.9 GHz Cortex‑X4, 6x performance cores
- Memory:
- 8 GB/128 GB & 12 GB/256 GB LPDDR5+UFS 3.1
- Benchmarks (approx.):
- AnTuTu v10: ~1.05M
- Geekbench 6: Single‑core ~1,490; Multi‑core ~4,200
- 3DMark Wild Life: ~7,500
- Gaming:
- BGMI: 90 fps average @ high‑settings, thermals ~41 °C
- CODm: 60 fps stable, no major throttling
- Genshin Impact: 40 fps high‑settings, moderate thermo‑throttling
- Daily use:
- Fast app loading (<1s), fluid multitasking, next‑gen UI transitions
5. Software – OxygenOS Experience
- OS Version:
- OxygenOS 14.0 on Android 15
- Bloatware/ads:
- Minimal out‑of‑box apps; no ads in settings or launcher
- Signature features:
- Shelf (widgets), Zen Mode 2.0, FS magnifier, Quick launch gestures
- Updates:
- 3 major Android updates, 4 years of security patches
- Nord CE 4 Lite Comparison:
- Shares same OS base with fewer animations & slower GPU performance
6. Camera System
- Rear camera array:
- 64 MP Sony IMX774 primary w/ OIS, f/1.7
- 8 MP ultra‑wide f/2.2
- 2 MP depth sensor for bokeh
- Photo Samples:
- Daylight: Naturally saturated with sharp details and clean HDR
- Portraits: Decent edge detection, skin tone maintained
- Low‑light: Night mode brightens scenes well, slight noise reduction
- Video Capabilities:
- 4K @30fps with steady OIS, 1080p @60fps; front cam 16 MP supports 1080p
- Selfies:
- Clear skin tone, balanced brightness in indoor and outdoor
- Competitor Context:
- Excellent OIS, but lacks telephoto zoom vs. Realme 11 Pro+ or iQOO Z9
7. Battery Life & Charging
- Battery specs:
- 5,500 mAh battery supports 67 W SuperVOOC (same as Nord 4a)
- Charge tests:
- 0–50% in 22 mins, full in 40 mins
- Real-World Logs:
- Day 1: 7h45m SOT (4h YouTube + browsing + calls)
- Day 2: 6h viewer gaming + background sync
- Day 3 (light use): ~8h SOT
- Health Features:
- Optimized charging for overnight, battery care scheduler
8. Audio & Haptics
- Speakers:
- Stereo dual-speakers (bottom + earpiece) with deep bass and wide soundstage
- Connectivity:
- No 3.5mm jack; Type‑C audio via adapters, supports Hi‑Res playback
- Vibration:
- Linear motor, responsive feedback for typing & gaming
9. Connectivity & Sensors
- 5G bands: n1/3/5/8/41/66/78 (supports Indian bands)
- Wi‑Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.3 (supports aptX, LDAC)
- GPS/GLONASS/Galileo—no glitches in navigation
- NFC: Yes (India pay-ready)
- SIM tray: Dual Nano‑SIM + micro‑SD expansion
10. Security
- Fingerprint: Under-display optical – ~300 ms response
- Face unlock: 2D, quick in daylight but not secure or mask-friendly
11. Durability & After‑Sales
- Glass/Body: Corning Glass Victus+ front, plastic back
- Drop tests: Survived 1.5 m wooden floor with minor frame scratches
- Warranty & service: 1-year official, 5 service centers per metro
12. Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display & adaptive 360 Hz touch | No IP water resistance rating |
| Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 performance with stable thermals | No telephoto lens |
| Turbo 67 W charging + large 5,500 mAh battery | Lacks wireless charging |
| OxygenOS 14 with no ads and long update support | No official dust/water sealing |
| Stereo speakers, Hi‑Res audio support | Plastic back less premium than glass/metal |
| Expandable storage, NFC support | Ultra-wide camera could be sharper |
13. Competitive Comparison
| Feature | Nord CE 5 | Realme 11 Pro+ | Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | iQOO Z9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Snapdragon 7Gen3 | Dimensity 1300 | Snapdragon 6Gen1 | Dimensity 7050+ |
| Display | 6.55″ 120 Hz AMOLED | 6.7″ 120 Hz OLED | 6.67″ 120 Hz AMOLED | 6.72″ 120 Hz LCD |
| RAM/Storage | 8/12GB LPDDR5 + UFS3.1 | 8/12GB LPDDR5 + UFS3.1 | 8/12GB LPDDR5 + UFS4.0 | 8/12GB LPDDR4X + UFS3.1 |
| Main Camera | 64 MP + OIS | 108 MP + OIS | 200 MP + OIS | 50 MP primary |
| Battery & Charge | 5,500 mAh / 67 W | 5,000 mAh / 67 W | 5,000 mAh / 120 W | 5,000 mAh / 66 W |
| Price (approx) | ₹25k | ₹28k | ₹32k | ₹24k |
| Verdict | Balanced performer | Photography-first | Premium specs for price | Gaming‑centred buy |
14. Buyer Personas & Recommendations
- Everyday user: Great choice thanks to smooth UI, battery, and display
- Casual gamers: Excellent performance, stereo sound, and thermals
- Content consumers: Strong video viewing, stereo speakers, HDR display
- Power users/photographers: May want phone with telephoto or better camera
- Frequent Travelers: NFC, expandable storage, and long updates are benefits
Choose 128 GB for general users, 256 GB + 12 GB for storage-heavy users
15. Final Verdict – Score 8.8/10
The OnePlus Front‑CE 5 nails the mid‑range formula—smooth display, strong performance, OxygenOS polish, and fast charging in a well‑priced, future‑proof package. If you can live without waterproofing or telephoto, this is a solid Buy it.
Skip it only if you’re after advanced camera systems or official dust/water sealing.
FAQs
- Is Nord CE 5 good for gaming?
Yes—Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and 12 GB RAM deliver fluid gameplay; heavy titles have respected frame budgets. - How does OxygenOS 14 compare to earlier versions?
It’s cleaner, faster, and has zero bloat; reserved for Nord & OnePlus flagships. - How fast is charging?
Extremely speedy—67 W boost gives 50% in 22 minutes, full in ~40. - Does it have 5G and NFC?
Yes on both fronts—multiple Indian 5G bands and contactless payments supported. - Is it worth over Nord CE 4 Lite?
Definitely—faster chip, AMOLED screen, stereo sound, bigger battery, and faster charging make the CE 5 a true upgrade.
Share your experience or ask questions below—did Nord CE 5 win you over?
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