OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review: A Practical Mid-Range Powerhouse

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a reminder that you don’t need to break the bank to get a dependable smartphone. Priced at ₹24,999, this is the most refined Core Edition from OnePlus so far. While the flagship OnePlus Nord 5 may grab more attention, the Nord CE 5 quietly earns its spot by doing the basics well and then going a bit beyond.

After using the phone as my daily driver for over a week, I can confidently say that it’s built for people who want value, not flash. From long battery life to crisp photos and helpful AI tools, it doesn’t try to do everything — but what it does, it does well. Let’s dive into what makes the OnePlus Nord CE 5 a worthy contender in the mid-range smartphone game.

A Familiar Design That Keeps Things Simple

OnePlus hasn’t tried to make the Nord CE 5 stand out with flashy design elements — and that works in its favor. The matte-finished back feels soft to the touch and keeps fingerprints at bay. I used the Nexus Blue variant, which gives off a gentle shimmer under light. It’s stylish without trying too hard.

The 199g weight makes it easy to handle, even with its large screen. The rear camera bump is minimal and doesn’t interfere when the phone is resting on a surface. The phone is IP65 rated, which gives you peace of mind during monsoons or dusty conditions — a rare find in this segment.

A Display That’s Bright, Fluid, and Flagship-Like

The 6.77-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display is one of the Nord CE 5’s best features. With a 120Hz refresh rate, it offers smooth scrolling and animations. Watching Netflix or YouTube in HDR looks excellent, with peak brightness going up to 1430 nits.

Colors pop, blacks are deep, and visibility in sunlight is strong. I found Aqua Touch — which lets you navigate even with wet fingers — very handy during the rainy season. It’s a feature often missing in more expensive devices.

OxygenOS 15 with Smart AI Touches

The Nord CE 5 runs OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. It’s fast, clean, and mostly free of bloatware. But this time, OnePlus has added more intelligence to the system. Features like AI Summary, AI Writer, and AI Translation actually help with daily productivity.

Multitasking is better too, thanks to Open Canvas, a feature borrowed from OnePlus tablets. It allows smooth split-screen use, making this phone good for students or professionals juggling apps. Deep Google Gemini integration also enables Circle to Search and live object detection through the camera — useful, not gimmicky.

Strong Performance

The phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 Apex chip. Built on a 4nm process, it’s paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. In real use, the phone feels fast — whether switching between apps or editing photos on the go.

Benchmark scores are solid for this price. In daily usage, apps open quickly, and the phone rarely stutters. For casual gamers, titles like BGMI and Call of Duty run at 90–120 FPS. I did notice some heating during long gaming sessions, though. The VC cooling system works, but could be better. For most users, performance will feel smooth and reliable.

Camera That Goes Beyond Expectations

The 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor on the rear is the star here. Photos taken in daylight are crisp, with good color accuracy and natural contrast. The camera uses Real Tone and RAW HDR — both borrowed from the OnePlus 13 series — to great effect.

The 8MP ultra-wide lens does an okay job, though it lacks detail in low light. Portrait shots come out especially well. Edge detection is sharp, and the background blur feels pleasing, not artificial.

Selfies from the 16MP front camera are clean and social-ready. Dynamic range is good, and Face Unlock works fast. Video is capped at 1080p on the front, but vloggers on a budget will still find it decent.

Best-in-Class Battery for the Price

Here’s where the Nord CE 5 really pulls ahead: battery. With a massive 7,100mAh unit, it easily lasts two full days on mixed use. From Zoom calls to streaming, I never felt battery anxiety.

It supports 80W SUPERVOOC charging, which gives you over 60% in under 30 minutes. Features like Battery Health Magic and Bypass Charging help keep the battery in good condition over time — important if you plan to use the phone for 2–3 years.

Also, charging doesn’t heat up the device, and you can game without draining battery health. It’s one of the best battery setups under ₹25,000 today.

Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5?

If you’re looking for a phone that just works without extra drama, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a great buy. It gets the core things right — display, battery, performance — while also adding useful AI tools and a polished design.

Yes, it heats up a bit during intense gaming, and the ultra-wide camera could be better. But for ₹24,999, you’re getting a very balanced device that won’t slow down any time soon.

This is easily the best Nord CE yet, and a top pick for buyers who want a solid mid-range phone with thoughtful features, not just specs on paper.