The OnePlus Nord CE 4 is one of the latest additions to the Nord series by OnePlus, a lineup that emphasizes affordability without sacrificing key features that users expect in a mid-range smartphone. With the CE in the name standing for "Core Edition," the Nord CE 4 aims to focus on core features, trimming some of the higher-end functionalities seen in flagship devices but retaining what really matters to everyday users.
In this review, we will dive into the design, performance, camera, battery life, display, and software experience of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 to give you a comprehensive overview of what this phone brings to the table.
1. Design & Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 continues the design philosophy of the Nord series, maintaining a sleek, minimalistic look. Aesthetically, the phone feels premium for its price point, despite being primarily made of plastic. OnePlus has opted for a glossy back panel which, while attractive, is a fingerprint magnet. However, the inclusion of a matte frame along the sides balances out the design, giving it a comfortable in-hand feel.
At 7.9mm thick and weighing around 170g, the Nord CE 4 is a lightweight and slim device, making it easy to handle with one hand. It’s also fairly ergonomic, with rounded edges that prevent discomfort during prolonged usage. While the phone lacks any official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it is built solidly enough to withstand day-to-day wear and tear.
The button placement is standard, with the power button on the right side and volume buttons on the left, all of which are easily accessible. Notably, the 3.5mm headphone jack is present—a rarity in modern smartphones—which will be appreciated by users who still rely on wired audio solutions.
2. Display
OnePlus has equipped the Nord CE 4 with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display. This screen is one of the highlights of the phone, offering a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display is vibrant, with deep blacks and punchy colors typical of AMOLED panels. The refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in everyday use, especially when scrolling through social media, web pages, or while gaming. Though some competing phones at similar price points offer 120Hz, the 90Hz feels like a reasonable trade-off for the price.
The peak brightness of around 800 nits ensures good visibility outdoors, even under direct sunlight. The HDR10+ support means streaming content from platforms like Netflix and YouTube looks excellent, with richer color depth and contrast. The bezels around the display are thin, but there is a slightly larger chin at the bottom, which is common in mid-range devices.
The in-display fingerprint sensor works fast and reliably, unlocking the phone without noticeable delays. However, like many under-display sensors, it can occasionally misread if your finger is wet or oily.
3. Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G chipset, a mid-range processor designed to offer a good balance between power efficiency and performance. Paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, the phone handles most tasks with ease. Whether you’re multitasking, playing casual games, or switching between apps, the performance remains smooth and lag-free.
For users who enjoy mobile gaming, the Adreno 642L GPU does a commendable job of handling graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile at medium to high settings. While it’s not on par with flagship processors like the Snapdragon 8-series, the Nord CE 4 offers a fluid experience for everyday users and moderate gamers.
In terms of storage, the phone comes with 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which, while fast, isn’t as quick as the UFS 3.1 found in higher-end phones. That said, it’s more than sufficient for the average user, providing decent read/write speeds when installing apps or transferring files.
4. Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is one of the areas where the company has tried to maintain a good balance between quality and cost. The triple-camera system includes a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP monochrome sensor.
The 64MP main camera performs well in well-lit conditions, producing images with good detail, accurate colors, and a decent dynamic range. AI enhancements help with scene recognition, but they don’t oversaturate the photos, maintaining a natural look. The Nightscape mode significantly improves low-light shots, but the results still don’t quite match the clarity and sharpness found on more expensive devices.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera is a decent addition, though the drop in quality is noticeable compared to the main lens. Images tend to lose sharpness around the edges, and low-light performance is underwhelming. However, for landscape shots or capturing group photos, it gets the job done.
The 2MP monochrome sensor, while a bit of a gimmick, helps to enhance portrait shots, providing a more distinct subject-background separation. Portrait mode itself is fairly reliable, with good edge detection in most scenarios.
On the front, the 16MP selfie camera is reliable for social media-ready shots, with natural skin tones and enough detail. The inclusion of portrait mode for selfies is a nice touch, and the software blurring is done well enough, though it struggles with edge detection on complex backgrounds.
5. Battery Life & Charging
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 packs a 4,500mAh battery, which, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 782G, offers excellent battery life. For the average user, the phone easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, including social media browsing, streaming, and light gaming. More conservative users can stretch it to a day and a half.
OnePlus’ 65W fast charging (marketed as Warp Charge 65) is one of the standout features here. The phone can charge from 0 to 100% in around 35 minutes, which is exceptionally fast at this price range. While there’s no wireless charging, the fast wired charging more than compensates for that omission, making the phone very convenient for users who need a quick top-up during the day.
6. Software Experience
The Nord CE 4 runs on OxygenOS 13, based on Android 13. OnePlus' OxygenOS has long been praised for its clean interface, lack of bloatware, and close-to-stock Android experience. The UI is fluid and customizable, with plenty of options to tweak the look and feel to your preference, such as adjusting themes, icon shapes, or using the Zen Mode to limit distractions.
OnePlus has committed to two major Android updates and three years of security updates for the Nord CE 4, which ensures that the phone will stay relatively up-to-date for the foreseeable future. This is in line with the standard update cycle for mid-range devices and should give users peace of mind when it comes to software longevity.
The phone also includes features like dark mode, always-on display, and gesture controls, all of which work seamlessly within OxygenOS. While the software experience is largely positive, some users may notice that OxygenOS is slowly incorporating more features from ColorOS, Oppo’s Android skin, after the companies announced their merger. This shift might appeal to some but alienate long-time OnePlus users who preferred the clean simplicity of older OxygenOS versions.
7. Connectivity & Extras
The Nord CE 4 supports 5G connectivity, ensuring that the phone is future-proofed for faster network speeds as 5G continues to roll out globally. It also supports dual SIM, making it convenient for users who travel frequently or need separate work and personal numbers.
Additionally, the phone comes with Bluetooth 5.2, NFC for mobile payments, and Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast and stable wireless connectivity. There’s no microSD card slot for expandable storage, which might be a downside for some, but with 256GB of internal storage, most users won’t feel limited.
Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Mid-Range Option
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 strikes a fine balance between performance, features, and price. It’s not the most powerful or feature-packed phone on the market, but for its target audience—those looking for a solid mid-range device—it delivers where it matters most. The display, battery life, and software experience are excellent, and the camera performance is more than adequate for casual photography.
While it may not satisfy users looking for cutting-edge features or flagship-level performance, the Nord CE 4 offers a compelling package for everyday users who value a smooth experience, quick charging, and reliable performance without breaking the bank.
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