OnePlus Nord 5 Unleashed: Snapdragon Power and 144Hz Glory Steal the Show
On July 8, 2025, OnePlus launched the Nord 5 in India, setting a new benchmark for mid-range smartphones with its flagship-grade features and competitive pricing. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and boasting a 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, the Nord 5 is designed to deliver premium performance without the premium price tag. With a robust 6,800mAh battery, a 50MP Sony LYT-700 camera, and AI-driven features, this device is poised to shake up the mid-range market. Here’s a deep dive into why the OnePlus Nord 5 is stealing the spotlight in 2025.
A Flagship Chip in a Mid-Range Package
At the heart of the OnePlus Nord 5 lies the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a 4nm octa-core processor that marks a significant leap over its predecessor’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3. This chipset, clocked at up to 3GHz, brings near-flagship performance to the Nord series for the first time, enabling seamless multitasking, high-end gaming, and efficient power management. Paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the Nord 5 handles demanding tasks with ease, from editing 4K videos to running graphically intensive games like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile at up to 144 frames per second.
The inclusion of a 7,300mm² Cryo-Velocity vapor chamber cooling system ensures the device stays cool during extended gaming sessions, with OnePlus claiming it can maintain performance even after five hours of gameplay. This cooling prowess, borrowed from the flagship OnePlus 13, positions the Nord 5 as a gamer’s delight in the sub-₹35,000 segment.
A Display That Dazzles
The Nord 5’s 6.83-inch Swift AMOLED display is a standout feature, offering a 1.5K resolution (2,800 x 1,272 pixels), a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,800 nits. Whether streaming high-definition content, scrolling through social media, or gaming, the display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth transitions thanks to its 10-bit color depth and 3,000Hz touch response rate. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, the screen is both durable and responsive, with an in-display fingerprint sensor for added convenience.
The 144Hz refresh rate, a rarity in the mid-range segment, ensures fluid visuals, particularly for gamers who can leverage the high frame rate in supported titles. Posts on X have praised the display’s “buttery smooth” performance, with one user noting, “The 144Hz OLED on the Nord 5 feels like a flagship steal at this price.” The display also supports Ultra HDR and 3,840Hz PWM dimming, reducing eye strain during prolonged use, making it ideal for both entertainment and productivity.
Camera Capabilities: Flagship-Grade Snaps
The Nord 5’s camera system is another highlight, bringing flagship-grade imaging to the mid-range market. The rear setup features a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The main camera, identical to the one found in the OnePlus 13, delivers sharp, vibrant photos with excellent dynamic range, thanks to OnePlus’s RAW HDR and Real Tone technologies. It supports 4K video recording at 60fps, catering to content creators who demand high-quality footage.
On the front, a 50MP Samsung JN5 selfie camera with autofocus ensures crisp self-portraits and supports 4K 60fps video recording—a rare feature in this price range. The inclusion of the Live Photo feature adds a creative edge, allowing users to capture short video snippets alongside stills. Social media reactions have been enthusiastic, with one X post calling the camera “a stellar steal” for its ability to rival premium devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in certain scenarios.
Battery and Charging: Built for Endurance
The Nord 5 houses a massive 6,800mAh battery, a significant upgrade from the 5,500mAh cell in the Nord 4. This large single-cell battery, combined with the efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, promises up to a day and a half of usage under normal conditions, according to early reviews. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or multitasking, the Nord 5 is built to last. The device supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, capable of juicing up the battery in under 40 minutes, and comes with an 80W charger in the box—a welcome inclusion in an era where chargers are often sold separately.
The Nord 5 also introduces bypass charging, allowing the device to draw power directly from the charger during intensive tasks, reducing heat and preserving battery health. This feature, alongside the robust cooling system, makes the Nord 5 a reliable companion for power users.
Design and Build: Sleek Yet Practical
OnePlus has opted for a “Techie Minimalism” design with the Nord 5, moving away from the Nord 4’s all-metal unibody to a glass back with a matte finish and a plastic frame. Available in three striking colors—Dry Ice, Phantom Grey, and Marble Sands—the device exudes a premium aesthetic while maintaining a slim 8.1mm profile and a weight of 211g. The IP65 dust and water resistance rating adds durability, ensuring the phone can withstand splashes and light rain.
A notable design change is the replacement of the traditional alert slider with a customizable “Plus Key,” which allows users to trigger apps, shortcuts, or AI features with a single press. This addition, alongside the textured matte finish, has sparked mixed reactions on X, with some users lamenting the loss of the iconic slider while others praise the versatility of the new button. The phone’s curved edges and ergonomic design make it comfortable to hold, despite its large display and battery.
AI Features and OxygenOS 15: Smarts That Shine
Running on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, the Nord 5 introduces a suite of AI-driven features under the “Plus Mind” banner. These include AI Call Assistant for smarter call handling, AI Notes for summarizing and transcribing meetings, and AI Retouch for enhancing photos with minimal effort. These features, trickled down from the OnePlus 13 series, add a layer of intelligence that enhances productivity and creativity. For instance, AI Notes can transcribe voice recordings in real-time, while AI Retouch can remove unwanted objects from photos with a single tap.
OxygenOS 15 is optimized for the Nord 5’s hardware, offering a bloatware-free experience and smooth animations. OnePlus has promised three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring the device remains relevant through 2028. The combination of AI smarts and a clean, customizable interface makes the Nord 5 a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts.
Pricing and Availability: A Mid-Range Marvel
Priced at ₹31,999 for the 8GB+256GB variant and ₹34,999 for the 12GB+512GB model, the Nord 5 is competitively positioned against rivals like the Poco F7, Motorola Edge 60 Pro, and Nothing Phone 3a Pro. Available on OnePlus.in, Amazon.in, and major retail stores like Reliance Digital and Croma, the phone comes with launch offers, including a free 80W charger and Nord Buds 3 Pro until August 7, 2025. This aggressive pricing strategy, coupled with flagship-grade features, has fueled excitement, with one X post calling it “the easiest phone to recommend under ₹35k.”
Challenges and Competition
While the Nord 5 impresses with its specs, it enters a crowded mid-range market. Competitors like the iQOO Neo 10R and Realme GT 6 also use the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro offers a unique design at a similar price. Some X users have criticized the plastic frame, calling it a downgrade from the Nord 4’s metal build, and the absence of the alert slider has disappointed longtime OnePlus fans. However, the Nord 5’s combination of a high-refresh display, powerful chipset, and long-lasting battery gives it an edge in delivering value.
The Verdict: A Mid-Range Powerhouse
The OnePlus Nord 5 is a bold step forward for the Nord series, blending flagship-grade performance with mid-range affordability. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, 144Hz AMOLED display, and 6,800mAh battery make it a standout for gamers, content creators, and everyday users alike. The AI-driven features and polished OxygenOS 15 experience further elevate its appeal, while the competitive pricing ensures it appeals to a broad audience.
As OnePlus continues to refine its mid-range offerings, the Nord 5 proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a premium smartphone experience. With its launch on July 8, 2025, the Nord 5 is already generating buzz as a top contender in its segment. Whether you’re drawn to its smooth display, powerful performance, or versatile cameras, the Nord 5 is a device that demands attention in 2025.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 10:30 am by Munnuru sai karthik | Published by: Munnuru sai karthik on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 10:30 am | News Categories: Technology
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