The OnePlus Nord 4 marks a bold return to metal construction in the era of 5G smartphones.
This latest addition to OnePlus’ midrange lineup boasts an eye-catching aluminum unibody design that sets it apart in a sea of glass and plastic competitors. But does the Nord 4’s beauty run more than skin deep?
In this review, you will be enlightened on the OnePlus Nord 4 performs across key areas like design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and software to determine if it’s a worthy contender in the hotly contested sub-$500 smartphone market.
Key Takeaways
- Striking metal design: The Nord 4’s aluminum unibody construction offers a premium look and feel that’s rare at this price point.
- Capable performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, the Nord 4 handles everyday tasks and gaming with ease.
- Long-lasting battery: A large 5,500 mAh battery provides excellent endurance, easily lasting through a full day of use.
- Improved software support: OnePlus promises 4 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security patches.
- Mixed camera performance: While the main 50MP camera impresses, the ultra-wide and selfie cameras lag behind.
- Competitive pricing: Starting at £429 / ₹29,999, the Nord 4 offers strong value in the midrange segment.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review
The OnePlus Nord 4’s standout feature is undoubtedly its aluminum unibody construction.
In a market dominated by plastic and glass-backed devices, the Nord 4’s metal chassis harkens back to the premium feel of smartphones from years past. The device is available in three attractive colorways:
- Mercurial Silver
- Oasis Green
- Obsidian Midnight
The metal body not only looks great but also contributes to a solid in-hand feel. At 199.5 grams, the Nord 4 has some heft to it, but the weight distribution feels well-balanced.
The phone’s dimensions (162.6 x 75 x 8mm) make it comfortable to hold and use one-handed for most people.
Design Elements
OnePlus has retained its signature alert slider on the Nord 4, allowing for quick switching between ring, vibrate, and silent modes.
This continues to be a standout feature that sets OnePlus devices apart from many competitors. The power button and volume rocker are both positioned on the right side of the device for easy access.
The phone features a USB-C port on the bottom edge, along with a single downward-firing speaker. While not as immersive as stereo speakers, the audio quality is respectable for the price range.
An IR blaster is included on the top edge, which is a nice addition for those who like to use their phone as a universal remote control.
Durability Considerations
The Nord 4 carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. While this offers some peace of mind against light water exposure, it falls short of the IP67 rating found on some competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A55.
The aluminum body should prove quite durable against everyday wear and tear, potentially more so than glass-backed alternatives.
Display: Bright and Smooth
Key Specs
- 74-inch AMOLED display
- 2772 x 1240 resolution (1.5K)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 2,150 nit peak brightness (claimed)
Visual Experience
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts an expansive 6.74-inch AMOLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of OLED technology.
The 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1240 pixels) strikes a good balance between sharpness and power efficiency. Text and images appear crisp, with a pixel density of 450 PPI ensuring that individual pixels are indiscernible at normal viewing distances.
The 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations throughout the user interface.
OnePlus implements an adaptive refresh rate system that can dynamically adjust between 60Hz and 120Hz based on on-screen content to help conserve battery life.
Brightness and Outdoor Visibility
OnePlus boasts a peak brightness of 2,150 nits for the Nord 4’s display. While independent testing suggests this figure may be a bit optimistic, the screen remains easily visible even in bright outdoor conditions.
The automatic brightness adjustment works well to optimize visibility across various lighting scenarios.
Additional Features
The Nord 4 incorporates OnePlus’ “ProXDR” feature, which automatically adjusts brightness and contrast levels when viewing HDR content.
While this can enhance the visual experience, it’s worth noting that shared images may appear different on other devices.
Thankfully, OnePlus provides an option to disable this feature if users prefer a more consistent viewing experience across platforms.
Performance: Midrange Muscle
Processor and Memory
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset
- Up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
Everyday Performance
The OnePlus Nord 4 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, marking a significant step up from its predecessor.
This chipset delivers strong performance for a midrange device, easily handling everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and multitasking with aplomb. Apps launch quickly, and switching between them feels snappy and responsive.
Gaming Prowess
Mobile gamers will appreciate the Nord 4’s capabilities. The phone can run graphically demanding titles like Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with consistent frame rates.
While it may not match the absolute peak performance of flagship devices, the Nord 4 provides a smooth gaming experience for all but the most demanding mobile games.
Benchmark Results
While synthetic benchmarks don’t always translate directly to real-world performance, they can provide a useful point of comparison. Here’s how the OnePlus Nord 4 stacks up against some of its competitors:
| Benchmark | OnePlus Nord 4 | Realme GT 6T | Poco F6 | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
| Geekbench 6 Single Core | 929 | 1843 | 1,835 | 1,013 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi Core | 3,817 | 4,756 | 4,693 | 2,805 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 1,074,178 | 1,462,980 | 1,457,491 | 606,767 |
While the Nord 4 doesn’t top the charts, its performance is solidly competitive within its price bracket.
It’s worth noting that real-world performance often comes down to software optimization, an area where OnePlus typically excels.
Camera System: Hits and Misses
Camera Specifications
- Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with OIS and EIS
- Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP
- Selfie Camera: 16MP
Main Camera Performance
The 50MP main camera on the Nord 4 proves to be a capable shooter in most scenarios. In good lighting conditions, it captures images with plenty of detail, accurate colors, and good dynamic range.
The inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS) helps in low-light situations and when capturing video.
The camera app offers a 2x in-sensor zoom option, which produces surprisingly good results thanks to the high-resolution sensor. While not as versatile as a dedicated telephoto lens, it’s a welcome feature for capturing distant subjects.
Ultra-wide and Selfie Cameras
The 8MP ultra-wide camera is somewhat of a letdown compared to the main sensor.
While it can capture a wider field of view, images often lack the same level of detail and color accuracy as the primary camera. There’s also noticeable distortion around the edges of ultra-wide shots.
The 16MP selfie camera performs adequately in well-lit environments but struggles in low-light conditions. Portrait mode for selfies works reasonably well, though edge detection can be hit-or-miss.
Video Capabilities
The Nord 4 can record video at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second using the main camera.
However, electronic image stabilization is only available when shooting at 1080p/60fps. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras are limited to 1080p/30fps recording without stabilization.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Endurance
Battery Specifications
- 5,500 mAh dual-cell battery
- 100W SuperVOOC fast charging (charger included)
Real-World Battery Performance
The OnePlus Nord 4 packs a hefty 5,500 mAh battery, which translates to excellent real-world endurance.
With moderate usage, the phone easily lasts through a full day and often well into a second day before needing a charge. In our testing, we consistently achieved 6.5 to 7 hours of screen-on time.
Standby battery drain is impressively low, with the phone losing only about 2% charge over an 8-hour period overnight. This is a testament to OnePlus’ software optimization.
Charging Speed
OnePlus includes a 100W SuperVOOC charger in the box, which can fully charge the Nord 4 from 0 to 100% in approximately 33 minutes. This rapid charging capability is a significant convenience, allowing users to quickly top up the battery when needed.
It’s worth noting that the phone doesn’t get excessively hot during the charging process, alleviating concerns about potential long-term battery degradation due to heat exposure.
Software: OxygenOS 14 with AI Enhancements
Software Features
- OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14
- 4 years of Android OS updates promised
- 6 years of security updates
User Experience
The OnePlus Nord 4 runs on OxygenOS 14.1, based on Android 14. OnePlus’ custom skin offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with some useful additions.
The interface is smooth and responsive, taking full advantage of the 120Hz display. OnePlus has incorporated several AI-powered features into the software:
- AI Eraser: Allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from photos
- Audio summarization: Can create text summaries of voice recordings
- Text extraction: Recognizes and extracts text from images
- Translation: Built-in translation capabilities for text and images
Bloatware Concerns
One disappointing aspect of the software experience is the inclusion of several pre-installed third-party apps and games.
While most can be uninstalled, their presence on a device in this price range feels unnecessary. Additionally, an alternative app store called “App Picks” automatically downloads apps and sends notifications, which may be frustrating for some users.
Software Support
OnePlus has committed to providing 4 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security patches for the Nord 4.
This level of support is competitive with Samsung’s midrange offerings and helps ensure the longevity of the device.
Verdict: A Compelling Midrange Contender
The OnePlus Nord 4 brings several compelling features to the table in the competitive midrange smartphone market. Its standout metal design, strong performance, excellent battery life, and improved software support make it a worthy contender for those seeking a sub-$500 / £500 device.
Pros:
- Premium metal unibody design
- Smooth and bright 120Hz AMOLED display
- Capable performance for everyday tasks and gaming
- Excellent battery life with fast charging
- Improved software update commitment
Cons:
- Inconsistent camera performance across lenses
- Some bloatware and unwanted app installations
- No official U.S. availability
The OnePlus Nord 4 faces stiff competition from devices like the Realme GT 6T, Poco F6, and Samsung Galaxy A35.
While it may not definitively outclass these rivals in every aspect, the Nord 4’s unique design and well-rounded feature set make it a compelling option for those who prioritize build quality and battery life.