OnePlus Nord 4 review: Looks and performs like a flagship

Greatest Costs At present: OnePlus Nord 4

£429

I’ve been reviewing smartphones for nearly 5 years, and if there’s one factor I’m sure of, it’s that you just don’t must pay premium costs to get a terrific handset.

There’s proof of that in most of the finest price range telephones and finest mid-range telephones, which supply a terrific all-round expertise, regardless of being a number of hundred kilos/{dollars} cheaper than flagships.

Nevertheless, few are as formidable because the OnePlus Nord 4. Regardless of a beginning worth of simply £429 (sadly not obtainable within the US), it rivals high-end fashions in lots of key areas, aiming to maximise worth for cash.

So, is the corporate behind one of many authentic ‘flagship killer’ smartphones onto a winner with its new handset? I’ve spent greater than per week utilizing the Nord 4 as my foremost machine to search out out.

Design & Construct

• Steel unibody design
• Uncommon two-tone rear
• IP65 water and dirt resistance

The OnePlus Nord 4’s design is arguably its defining characteristic. Other than the round digicam lenses on the again, it appears to be like nearly nothing like final 12 months’s Nord 3.

In some ways, it’s an enormous step ahead. The Nord 4 is likely one of the first 5G telephones to shift to a steel unibody design, with a single piece of aluminium extending throughout the again and sides of the machine.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

It offers the handset a satisfying weight (regardless of nonetheless solely weighing 199.5g), making it really feel much more premium than its worth suggests. In comparison with the glass-backed Nord 3, sturdiness can also be a lot improved – it feels impressively robust and sturdy, and I’d be assured in it surviving most drops.

An IP65 score isn’t fairly flagship normal, however means it’s absolutely protected towards mud and might survive ‘low-pressure jets of water from any path’. In different phrases, you don’t want to fret in any respect if it will get a bit moist within the rain.

Nevertheless, regardless of all the advantages of its extra premium construct, I’m nonetheless torn on the way in which the Nord 4 appears to be like.

The 2-tone ‘Obsidian Midnight’ mannequin I examined regarded nice once I took it out of the field, however inside minutes, the plastic panel surrounding the cameras (taking on all the prime quarter of the rear just like early Pixel telephones) collected a great deal of fingerprint smudges and different filth.

Nevertheless, even that couldn’t disguise simply how reflective the plastic is. I don’t find out about you, however I don’t need the again of my telephone to double as a mirror.

It’s attainable that these points are much less noticeable on the opposite finishes – a textured ‘Mercurial Silver’ and vibrant ‘Oasis Inexperienced’ – however I wouldn’t rely on it.

Total, the Nord 4’s new design has extra positives than negatives, nevertheless it’s price being conscious of those key drawbacks.

Elsewhere, OnePlus continues to be the one main telephone maker together with an alert slider on its telephones. It’s positioned on the left aspect right here, making it simple to modify between Ring, Vibrant and Silent modes – the textured end means you may alter it with out taking the telephone out of your pocket.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

On the alternative aspect are the same old energy and quantity controls, whereas the USB-C port, twin SIM tray and speaker are positioned on the backside of the telephone.

It’s additionally price mentioning the vibration motor, which delivers wonderful haptics. OnePlus calls it ‘O-Haptics’, and it gives refined clipped suggestions whereas typing, swiping and unlocking the telephone. Its depth will be adjusted in settings.

Display & Audio system

• 6.74-inch Full HD+ OLED
• 120Hz, however no LTPO
• Twin stereo audio system

Today, most mid-range telephones have a terrific show, and that’s no completely different right here. The Nord 4 has an outstanding display screen which delivers a terrific viewing expertise in all environments.

A big 6.74-inch panel, its Full HD+ (2772 × 1240) decision nonetheless gives greater than sufficient element. Whereas many flagships have increased decision WQHD+ shows, they’re often set to Full HD+ by default anyway.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

And it retains all of the hallmarks of an OLED display screen, together with wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks. In comparison with high-end telephones such because the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely and Honor Magic 6 Professional, I actually didn’t discover a distinction.

In testing, I additionally recorded a decent most brightness of 500 nits. Because of this, I had no downside utilizing the telephone in vivid outside environments – together with direct daylight.

Nevertheless, whereas it’s a 120Hz panel, the Nord 4’s show lacks the LTPO expertise discovered on many premium handsets. As a substitute, the ‘Auto-select’ refresh charge mode merely strikes between 60- and 120Hz relying on what you’re doing, somewhat than going all the way in which right down to 1Hz to preserve battery life.

So, the Nord 4’s show isn’t fairly finest at school, however I didn’t really feel like I used to be lacking out in any respect.

Sadly, the identical can’t be stated for the optical in-display fingerprint sensor. It’s simple to arrange however frustratingly temperamental, with a small goal space and wish to carry your finger in place for longer than regular.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Because of this, I usually ended up utilizing the much less safe face unlock as an alternative, which couldn’t recognise me in darkish environments or whereas sporting glasses.

OnePlus does at the very least provide ‘AquaTouch’ expertise, which makes the Nord 4’s show a lot simpler to make use of when it will get moist. However I believe a side-mounted fingerprint sensor would’ve been a greater possibility on this situation.

By way of audio, the Nord 4 options twin stereo audio system, with the same old mixture of a downward-firing speaker and earpiece.

Sound high quality is ok, providing extra bass than most telephones and first rate readability, even at excessive volumes. However should you’re severe about audio, join headphones as an alternative.

Specs & Efficiency

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset
• 12- or 16GB RAM
• 256- or 512GB storage

On paper, efficiency on the Nord 4 is a transparent step down from flagships. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which isn’t as highly effective as Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

So, is real-world efficiency noticeably worse than flagships? Not in my expertise. Alongside a whopping 16GB of RAM on the mannequin I examined (a 12GB model can also be obtainable), efficiency is a key power of the Nord 4.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

All through most of my testing time, I may barely get the telephone to hesitate or decelerate in any respect. That included a great deal of net shopping and taking pictures, plus messaging, watching movies and scrolling social media. All the things remained {smooth} and lag-free all through, even when shortly switching between them.

Throughout demanding duties reminiscent of gaming, you start to see a few of its limitations. Graphically-intensive titles reminiscent of Name of Responsibility: Cell, PUBG Cell, Asphalt 9 and Genshin Impression aren’t fairly as silky-smooth or responsive as probably the most highly effective telephones round.

Nevertheless, they’re all nonetheless very playable, and I can’t consider any scenario the place the Nord 4 wouldn’t provide at the very least first rate efficiency.

OnePlus Nord 4 benchmarks

By way of inner storage, you may select between 256- and 512GB. Both needs to be loads for most individuals, even with a couple of GB taken up by vital system information. OnePlus has opted for a dual-SIM tray somewhat than expandable storage although, so be sure you get sufficient.

Connectivity choices embrace Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.4, plus NFC for cell funds.

Cameras

• 50Mp foremost lens
• 8Mp ultrawide, 16Mp selfie
• No telephoto

Cameras are the plain space the place OnePlus has made compromises on the Nord 4. In comparison with its flagship 12, the primary lens is completely different, ultrawide downgraded and telephoto lacking fully.

Nevertheless, write off the cameras at your peril. The 50Mp foremost digicam (a Sony Lytia sensor) can take some wonderful photographs, particularly in good lighting. Element and dynamic vary are persistently robust, whereas publicity is a key power.

Simply take a look at the way in which it captured the dramatic sky and element within the reflection beneath:

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

As you may see, colors are usually true to life, which I’m an enormous fan of. If you happen to favor a extra vivid, saturated look, you may at all times make the mandatory edits later.

Nevertheless, efficiency isn’t fairly as spectacular in low mild. The mechanically utilized evening mode does a very good job of brightening darkish environments, but you do lose some particulars and fairly a little bit of noise is launched.

The portrait mode is first rate, delivering a lovely and realistic-looking background blur. Edge detection is a wrestle at occasions, however with some trial and error you may get spectacular outcomes.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Sadly, the ultrawide lens is the place issues take a flip for the more severe. In isolation, pictures aren’t unhealthy, however the decline in high quality in comparison with the primary digicam is important – colors are extra washed out and key particulars are sacrificed.

The 112-degree area of view is beneficial at occasions, however not if you wish to be certain of a terrific picture. The identical will be stated for zoom photographs, the place the dearth of a telephoto lens means you get no optical zoom. Because of this, the digital model means pictures begin trying grainy when you transcend 2x.

It’s significantly better information on the entrance, the place a 16Mp lens delivers clear, crisp selfies with well-exposed faces. I’d argue the portrait mode right here is definitely higher than on the rear digicam.

The Nord 4 can shoot video at as much as 4K at 60fps, however the default 1080p at 30fps is ok for most individuals. Footage is on par with most Android handsets, with OIS (optical picture stabilisation) on the primary lens making certain it stays {smooth}, nevertheless it lacks the skilled look of the iPhone.

Battery Life & Charging

• 5500mAh battery
• 100W wired charging, however no charger in field
• No wi-fi charging

The OnePlus Nord 4 is supplied with a sizeable 5500mAh battery. That’s one of many largest on any smartphone in 2024, and it’s mirrored within the robust battery life all through my testing.

With mild utilization, I used to be capable of get the telephone to final two full days on a single cost. On these heavier days, you may nonetheless begin the day at 100% and finish it with capability to spare.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

The one exception is should you plan on an extended gaming session, which is able to deplete the battery way more shortly. Nevertheless, the identical will be stated for nearly any handset lately.

It’s mirrored in our regular PCMark battery take a look at, which simulates real-world utilization at a reasonably typical 200 nits of brightness (auto brightness turned off).

A rating of 13 hours and 19 minutes is above common, albeit not fairly adequate to hassle the most effective battery life telephones.

On paper, a most wired charging velocity of 100W is spectacular, although there’s no charger included within the field. Until you purchase the appropriate one or have already got one at dwelling, charging is way slower than the 0-100% in 28 minutes that OnePlus advertises.

Regardless of utilizing a 100W adapter of my very own, the Nord 4 reached simply 12% after quarter-hour and 26% by the half-hour mark. A full cost took one hour and 53 minutes so it clearly wasn’t appropriate.

There’s no wi-fi charging, however that’s no shock at this worth.

Software program & Apps

• Oxygen OS 14.1 over Android 14
• 4 main OS updates
• Six years of safety updates

Out of the field, the Nord 4 runs OnePlus’ Oxygen OS 14.1 pores and skin, which relies on Android 14.

Nevertheless, there are fairly a couple of adjustments in comparison with the expertise on Google Pixel telephones.

Probably the most noticeable for me is the redesigned fast settings menu, which appears to be like extra like Xiaomi’s Hyper OS – discovered on the likes of the Xiaomi 14 – lately. Nevertheless, I truly discover the gathering of spherical and pill-shaped icons simpler to make use of.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

You additionally get rounded sq. icons by default, plus an app drawer that appears and feels very completely different. Nevertheless, I discovered the software program expertise as an entire to be very intuitive.

Sadly, there’s additionally a set of annoying bloatware. Alongside over a dozen of OnePlus’ personal apps (some helpful, some not), you additionally must put up with the likes of AliExpress, LinkedIn, Fb and a number of other video games.

A few of these will be uninstalled, however not all. You actually needs to be given the choice to skip set up throughout setup, as is the case on different telephones. Because of this, getting issues trying and performing the way in which you want it’ll take some time.

AI has been used sparingly on the Nord 4, with OnePlus specializing in options that can have the largest influence on customers. Its foremost goal is for optimising battery life, although you additionally get a spread of instruments for textual content (learn, summarise and transcribe) and pictures (take away background objects, transfer and resize topics).

In a later software program replace, OnePlus may also be including ‘AI Greatest Face’. This seems to be equivalent to Google’s ‘Greatest Take’ characteristic (proven beneath), which may swap out faces in a bunch shot to ensure everyone seems to be trying their finest.

One space the place I can don’t have any complaints is software program assist. OnePlus will present the Nord 4 with 4 main OS updates, plus six years of safety updates.

On the time of writing, that makes it the most affordable telephone to supply such in depth assist, although it’s price noting that the £499 Google Pixel 8a will get you seven years of each.

After all, the query relating to how properly it’ll be holding up in 2030 stays to be seen. However the Nord 4 has been independently ‘fluency examined’ for 72 months, suggesting it ought to stay principally quick and {smooth}.

Value & Availability

The OnePlus Nord 4 begins at £429/€499. That will get you a mannequin with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, although the costlier model examined right here prices £529/€599.

It’s obtainable straight from OnePlus. No UK operators are promoting the telephone on contract, so that you’ll have to purchase it outright and pair with a SIM-only deal. Use the widget beneath to search out an possibility that fits you:

Sadly, regardless of OnePlus flagships being bought there, the Nord 4 isn’t obtainable within the US. You possibly can attempt to import one, however there’s no assure it’ll work.

Within the UK, the Nord 4 has loads of mid-range rivals, together with the Google Pixel 8a (from £499), Samsung Galaxy A55 (from £439) and Xiaomi Redmi Observe 13 Professional+ (£449).

Must you purchase the OnePlus Nord 4?

When you have round £500 to spend on a brand new Android telephone, the reply might be sure. The Nord 4 has weaknesses, however you’ll wrestle to search out higher worth for cash at this worth level.

The construct, show, battery life and foremost digicam are all very spectacular, making it a robust all-rounder. And whereas OnePlus’ Android pores and skin isn’t as slick because it as soon as was, the telephone continues to be very simple to make use of, and now gives six years of safety updates.

Downsides embrace a disappointing ultrawide digicam, uncommon two-tone rear design and the dearth of a 100W charger within the field.

None of those will probably be dealbreakers for most individuals, and in a straight combat with the marginally costlier Google Pixel 8a, the Nord 4 is a greater purchase for most individuals.

Specs

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset  
• 12/16GB RAM 
• 256/512GB inner storage (expandable as much as 1.5TB by way of Micro-SD)
• 6.74-inch, 2772 × 1240 OLED show, 120Hz 
• 50Mp foremost digicam with OIS  
• 8Mp ultrawide digicam
• 16Mp front-facing digicam
• 5500mAh battery  
• 100W wired charging
• 5G  
• Twin stereo audio system  
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.4
• NFC  
• IP65 water and dirt resistance  
• Android 14
• 162.6 x 75 x 7.9 mm
• 199.5g