OnePlus Nord 4 Review
Discover OnePlus Nord 4: powerful performance, fast charging, vibrant display, and ample storage options—all at an affordable price.
It’s easy to think that budget phones are just simpler versions of company’s top models. I’ve thought that too. But OnePlus Nord 4 wants to show it’s different. It’s phone with its own unique style and it just happens to be priced under £430.
Nord 4 is trying to do what phones like Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A55 do, but with a bit more flair. It has a cool metal design, large display and battery that lasts a long time—something that could be considered its best feature. However, its cameras aren’t as good as its competitors and software, while good, isn’t best out there. Also, people in U.S. won’t be able to buy it, which is disappointing and seems unnecessary.
Just listing Nord 4’s pros and cons doesn’t really tell whole story. To truly get sense of what this phone is all about and whether it’s right fit for you, it’s best to look at it in more detail. Our full OnePlus Nord 4 review will help you see if this phone matches statement you want to make with your next purchase.
Table of Contents
OnePlus Nord 4 Specification
| 🛠 Feature | 📋 Specification |
|---|---|
| 📏 Dimensions | 162.6 x 75 x 8 mm |
| ⚖️ Weight | 199.5 grams |
| 📱 Screen | 6.74-inch 20:9 FHD AMOLED (1240 x 2772), 120Hz |
| 🧩 Chipset | Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 |
| 🧠 RAM | 12GB or 16GB |
| 💾 Storage Options | 256GB or 512GB |
| 📅 Operating System | Android 14 with OxygenOS 14.1 |
| 📸 Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 |
| 🌐 Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 112-degree |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 16MP, f/2.0 |
| 🔊 Audio | Stereo speakers |
| 🔋 Battery Capacity | 5,500mAh |
| ⚡ Charging Speed | 100W wired |
| 🎨 Available Colors | Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green |
Price and availability
You can start ordering OnePlus Nord 4 from July 16th. Base model is priced at £429 while version with extra storage and RAM costs £529. This makes it bit cheaper than £499 Pixel 8a and £439 Galaxy A55. However, it’s slightly more expensive than £349 Nothing Phone 2a.
Unfortunately like previous Nord models, OnePlus Nord 4 likely won’t be available in U.S. This is disappointing because it could have been strong competitor to similar devices from Google and Samsung. If OnePlus decides to bring this phone to U.S., either in its current form or under different name, we’ll update this information. But for now it’s safe to assume that Nord 4 is only available outside U.S.
Design
OnePlus Nord 4 offers unique twist in design compared to other Android phones. Its flagship silver edition features two-tone body that stands out. Lower three-fifths of the back has striped, ridged pattern, although it feels smooth to touch while upper part around the camera bumps has flat, typical phone appearance. This small design detail makes Nord 4 look distinct.
Apart from design, Nord 4 is similar to many other phones on market. It’s fairly large device with dimensions of 162.6 x 75 x 7.9mm and weight of 199.5g. Phone features USB-C port at bottom and on right edge, you’ll find power button and volume rocker. The power button is conveniently placed for most hand sizes but adjusting volume one-handed might be challenging for those with smaller hands.
One interesting feature is alert slider nod to older OnePlus models. This slider allows you to easily switch between silent, vibrate and full-volume modes making it simple to mute your phone during meetings or important moments. However I found that slider can be tricky to set in middle position for vibrate often jumping to either silent or full volume.
Nord 4 feels sturdy and well-protected, thanks to its metal frame and rear along with IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. Phone’s dual camera bumps do stick out bit, which means it doesn’t lay flat on table. However, these protrusions are less pronounced than those on some other phones, and I didn’t have any issues with the camera lenses catching when sliding the phone into my pocket.
Silver model I reviewed seems to be main color featured in promotional materials but Nord 4 is also available in black and green. These other color options share the same two-tone design though lower part has a matted look instead of stripes.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Display
OnePlus Nord 4 features a large 6.74-inch AMOLED display with resolution of 1240 x 2772 pixels, offering more pixels than most phones in its price range. Screen provides vibrant colors and supports HDR10+ for enhanced visuals. It also has 120Hz refresh rate, making navigation, gaming and video playback smooth. Display includes small punch-hole for front camera, which doesn’t take up much space. A unique feature called Aqua Touch allows the screen to be used even with wet hands which works reliably in various wet conditions.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Software
OnePlus Nord 4 comes with Android 14 and OxygenOS 14.1 which is known for its attractive design and user-friendly features. OnePlus promises up to four software updates, potentially reaching Android 18. OxygenOS adds useful tools like Zen Space for focusing and feature that summarizes articles or audio notes. However, phone has some pre-installed apps (bloatware) and few bugs such as issues with auto-rotate and connection problems with PCs. Despite these minor setbacks, software experience remains positive overall.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Cameras
Phone has 50MP main camera and 8MP ultra-wide camera on back along with 16MP front camera. While cameras are not extraordinary they perform adequately with AI scene optimization helping to enhance some shots. AI eraser tool can remove unwanted objects from photos though it’s not always accurate. Front camera delivers decent selfies with natural-looking portrait effects. Overall, camera setup is functional but not groundbreaking.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Performance and Audio
Powered by Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset, OnePlus Nord 4 offers impressive performance for mid-range phone. It handles gaming well especially with 16GB RAM model. Phone lacks 3.5mm headphone jack so audio options include using USB-C port, Bluetooth 5.4, or built-in stereo speakers. While speakers are sufficient for casual use they might not satisfy audiophiles.
OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Battery Life
OnePlus Nord 4 has 5,500mAh battery that easily lasts into second day of use even with intensive tasks like gaming. Phone supports 100W wired charging which can fully charge device in less than 30 minutes. However, it doesn’t support wireless charging. Battery life and fast charging capabilities make OnePlus Nord 4 reliable choice for users who need long-lasting device.
OnePlus Nord 4 Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌟 Outstanding battery life | ❌ Lacks RAW image capture |
| 🖼️ Impressive display quality | ❌ Ultra-wide camera performance is lacking |
| 💎 Stylish, high-end design | ❌ No 4K video for selfies |
| 🚀 Smooth and efficient performance | ❌ No support for eSIM |
- HMD Skyline review
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera Masterpiece
- Oppo Reno 12 Pro Review: Premium AI Features at a Mid-Range Price
Conclusion
If you’re thinking OnePlus Nord with lower storage, it’s a great deal. You get strong performance, fast charging and good display for a low price.
But if you go for the 16GB/512GB version, price jumps a lot. Some might wonder if it’s still worth it.
However, if you need lot of storage this version is your best choice. Higher price makes sense if you need that extra space.
