The OnePlus Nord 2 5G offers many advanced features at an affordable price, but is this smartphone really that good? You read it in the review.
OnePlus announced the OnePlus Nord 2 last month, as the successor to the successful mid-range North. Immediately after the introduction, we already published our first impression of the OnePlus Nord 2. It must be a real flagship killer, with high-quality features at a reasonable price. The camera has been improved, as have the chipset and charging options. With a starting price of €400, this device is in any case a lot cheaper than today’s top models.
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Claudia Rahanmetan has been able to extensively test the new Nord for AndroidWorld. In her review, she goes deeper into the question of whether the OnePlus Nord 2 is actually a flagship killer. Claudia is in any case satisfied with the design, she reports: “The phone does not immediately stand out from the crowd, but it is very practical to use (even with one hand) and also feels premium. The stereo speakers are also a very welcome addition.”
OnePlus Nord 2 5G review
The mobile phone has a modern look with narrow screen edges and a clear screen. The OnePlus Nord 2 has a 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. A plastic frame with a metallic coating has been chosen, which gives the device an extra premium look.
A hole has been made in the top left corner of the screen for a 32-megapixel selfie camera. This eliminates the double punch-hole camera. This also means that the camera hole is significantly smaller and because the resolution has been increased, this decision is not so much at the expense of image quality. So a good choice.
The triple camera on the back has also been revised, the main camera is the same as the more expensive one OnePlus 9. It concerns a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2 megapixel monochrome camera. The camera system manages to shoot beautiful, sharp photos – although the 2MP mono camera does not add much. On the other hand, the 50MP main camera with Sony image sensor and optical image stabilization is a very high-quality camera.
Of course, making videos is also possible. With the Nord 2 5G, you can make videos in 4K resolution @ 30fps. In addition, you can choose Full HD @ 60fps. Furthermore, it is possible to record slow-motion videos and time-lapse videos. Finally, there is also a Dual View function available, with which you can make a video simultaneously with the main camera and the front camera.
Apart from a nice screen and an improved camera set-up, the device also has a powerful processor. OnePlus used a MediaTek chipset for the first time, it is the fastest variant of the brand: the Dimensity 1200. This SoC has an integrated 5G modem, so that you can also use the fast 5G in combination with a 5G subscription. network.
On the performance, Claudia reports in her OnePlus Nord 2 review: “The daily performance is as good as you would expect from a phone of this caliber. Simply put, the OnePlus Nord 2 flies through the lighter and heavier tasks as if it were nothing and always without hitches. That goes for everyday tasks as well as playing games.”
The battery and charging options have also been improved. The Nord 2 is equipped with a 4,500 mAh battery that supports 65W Warp Charge fast charging. The battery is more than powerful enough to get through the day. A day and a half will also work with average use.
Do you unexpectedly run into an empty battery? Thanks to the 65W included charger, you can fully charge it in half an hour. An adapter is not the only thing that OnePlus includes in the sales package, a transparent phone case is also included as standard. Handy, because this way you can optimally protect your new smartphone. What more could you want for €400.
As for the software, the mobile phone runs on the Android 11 operating system over which the OxygenOS 11.3 shell is placed. It offers a great user experience and plenty of customizable features – including a dark mode and one-handed use. An Always On Display is also present. As for the update policy, OnePlus offers two years of Android OS updates and three years of security updates.
Whether the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is actually a flagship killer, Claudia answers in her review: “The phone borrows the best aspects of the more expensive OnePlus 9 phones, such as the 50 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and Warp Charge 65, adds the strong Dimensity 1200 and the improved OxygenOS 11.3. All this is then poured into a package worth 399 euros. I think that is a great achievement.”
If you are looking for a powerful smartphone with a large battery and a good camera, the OnePlus Nord 2 is a suitable candidate. Of course, there are also other alternatives available within this price range, such as the recently introduced Samsung Galaxy A52s and the Poco F3. Also two powerful smartphones with an affordable price tag.
Buy OnePlus Nord 2
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is offered in two memory variants, 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB memory. For the most advanced model you pay an extra €100, which equates to a retail price of €500. The device is available in the colors Gray Sierra and Blue Haze. In the Netherlands you can buy the Nord 2 via the OnePlus website and via retailer Coolblue. With a subscription you can also buy the smartphone via Mobiel.nl and Belsimpel.
At the end of last year it was announced that OnePlus in the middle segment (250-500 euros) will number 3 smartphone manufacturer is in the Netherlands. All Nord models fall within this segment. This is a relatively new line-up, the first model of which was announced in July 2020. Five Nord devices have now been released. The Nord 2 is the most advanced model in this range. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, the North CE also provide a solution. This is also a 5G phone, available from €330 (8GB/128GB).
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