OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Budget-Friendly 5G with a Smooth Display

Having spent a few weeks with the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, I’ve come to appreciate its surprising strengths and acknowledge its budget-conscious limitations. This review provides a detailed look at my real-world experience with this affordable 5G smartphone.

Design & Build: A Simple Yet Sturdy Companion

The Nord N200 features a plastic back with a subtle shimmer effect. While it doesn’t scream premium, it feels surprisingly solid and comfortable to hold. The phone is available in a single Quantum Blue color, which looks quite attractive. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. The overall design is simple and unassuming, but it gets the job done.

Display: Smooth Sailing with 90Hz Refresh Rate

One of the most unexpected features in this price range is the Nord N200’s 6.49-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling, gaming, and watching videos feel incredibly smooth. The 1080p resolution is sharp and clear for a budget phone, and colors are vibrant and punchy. Brightness is decent for indoor use, but it can be a bit challenging to see the screen in direct sunlight.

Performance: Adequate for Everyday Use

The Nord N200 is powered by the Snapdragon 480 5G chipset and 4GB of RAM. It handles day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging without any issues. However, it’s not a gaming powerhouse, and you’ll notice some lag and stuttering with demanding games or heavy multitasking. The phone comes with 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSD card.

Camera: Decent for Casual Snapshots

The triple rear camera system consists of a 13MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, the camera captures decent photos with accurate colors and adequate detail. The macro lens is a fun addition for close-up shots, but the low resolution limits its usefulness. The 16MP front-facing camera takes decent selfies. However, low-light performance is not a strong suit for the Nord N200.

Battery Life: A Marathon Runner

The 5000mAh battery is the standout feature of this phone. It easily lasts for two full days with moderate use, and even with heavy use, you can still get through a full day without needing to recharge. This is a major boon for users who are always on the go. However, there’s no fast charging support, so be prepared for longer charging times.

Software & User Experience: OxygenOS with Bloatware

The Nord N200 runs OxygenOS based on Android 11, which is a clean and intuitive interface. However, it comes with a fair amount of pre-installed bloatware, which can be annoying. OnePlus promises one major Android update and three years of security updates, which is decent for a budget phone.

Connectivity & Additional Features: 5G Ready

The Nord N200’s main selling point is its 5G connectivity, which is still relatively rare in this price range. It also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. The phone has a headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for many users. However, it lacks NFC for contactless payments.

Buying Recommendation

Who’s it for?

The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a great option for budget-minded users who prioritize battery life and want to experience 5G connectivity. It’s perfect for those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and casual photography.

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life
• Smooth 90Hz refresh rate display
• Affordable 5G connectivity
• Headphone jack

Cons:

• Modest performance
• Average camera quality
• No NFC
• No fast charging
• Some bloatware

Overall:

The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a decent budget smartphone that offers excellent value for money. It excels in battery life and has a surprisingly smooth display. While it’s not the best performer or camera phone, it’s still a solid choice for budget-conscious users who want a taste of 5G.