The OnePlus Nord 5, launched in India on July 8, 2025, has sparked excitement as a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight. Priced starting at ₹31,999, it brings flagship-grade performance, a stunning display, and a massive battery, positioning it as a strong contender for the best value phone of 2025.
With competitors like the POCO F7, Motorola Edge 60 Pro, and Vivo V50 in the sub-₹35,000 segment, does the Nord 5 truly stand out? Here’s a deep dive into its specs, features, and why it’s turning heads.
Vibrant Display
The OnePlus Nord 5 features a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 2800×1272 resolution, delivering buttery-smooth visuals and vibrant colors with Ultra HDR and 10-bit color support.
With a peak brightness of 1,800 nits and Gorilla Glass 7i protection, it’s ideal for outdoor use and gaming titles like BGMI and COD Mobile at 144fps with Pro Gamer Mode. Users praise its slim 1.65mm bezels and 3,000Hz touch sampling rate for responsive interactions, though it’s slightly larger than the Nord 4’s 6.74-inch panel.
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Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset—the first Nord with an 8-series processor—the Nord 5 delivers near-flagship performance. Paired with an Adreno 825 GPU, up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, it handles multitasking and demanding games effortlessly.
A 7,300mm² vapor chamber ensures thermal stability, with an 84% throttle score outperforming the Nord 4’s 77%. Early reviews highlight its speed for daily tasks, though UFS 3.1 is a slight downgrade from UFS 4.0 in competitors like the POCO F7.
Camera
The Nord 5 sports a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor with OIS, delivering sharp, vibrant photos in various lighting conditions. An 8MP ultrawide lens with macro support complements it, though it’s less impressive in low light.
The 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 front camera is a major upgrade, supporting 4K 60fps video recording, ideal for selfies and vlogging.
While it lacks optical zoom beyond 2x, AI enhancements like HDR and Dual View Video add versatility. First impressions note consistent color science but suggest it trails the Motorola Edge 60 Pro in low-light photography.
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Fast Charging
The Nord 5’s 6,800mAh battery (in India, 5,200mAh globally) is a standout, offering up to 1.5 days of moderate use or 2.2 hours of YouTube streaming after a 5-minute charge with 80W SUPERVOOC. Features like Bypass Charging and Battery Health Engine enhance gaming thermals and battery longevity, retaining 80% capacity after four years.
However, the lack of wireless charging and a charger in some regions (included in India) are minor drawbacks compared to the Nord 4’s 100W charging.
Premium Design
At 211 grams and 8.1mm thick, the Nord 5 features a polycarbonate back and plastic frame, a shift from the Nord 4’s metal design, but its sleek flat edges and glossy finishes (Marble Sands, Dry Ice, Phantom Grey) feel premium.
With IP65 water and dust resistance, it’s durable but falls short of the POCO F7’s IP66/68/69 ratings. The new customizable Plus Key replaces the iconic Alert Slider, offering quick access to AI features like Plus Mind, though some users miss the slider’s simplicity.
OxygenOS 15
Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, the Nord 5 offers a clean, fluid interface with AI features like Circle to Search, AI VoiceScribe, and Plus Mind for on-device data management. However, it includes more pre-installed apps than competitors like the Motorola Edge 60 Pro.
OnePlus commits to four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, matching top-tier support in its class. Early feedback praises its slick animations but notes bloatware as a minor annoyance.
Pricing
The Nord 5 starts at ₹31,999 (8GB/256GB), with the 12GB/512GB variant at ₹35,999 (effective ₹29,999 and ₹33,999 with a ₹2,000 bank discount). Available from July 9, 2025, via OnePlus.in, Amazon, Flipkart, and stores like Reliance Digital, it competes with the POCO F7 (₹29,999) and Motorola Edge 60 Pro (₹29,999).
Beat For
The OnePlus Nord 5 shines as a gaming-focused mid-ranger with its 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, and massive battery, making it a strong value proposition. Its premium design and long-term software support add appeal, but the camera’s ultrawide performance and bloatware-heavy software are slight letdowns.
Compared to the POCO F7’s superior IP rating and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro’s better low-light camera, the Nord 5 excels in balanced performance and display quality. For gamers and value-seekers, it’s a top pick, but photography enthusiasts may look elsewhere. Is it the best value phone of 2025? It’s certainly in the running.
