OnePlus Nord CE 2 Review: An Affordable Mid-Ranger with 5G and Speedy Charging

Having spent considerable time with the OnePlus Nord CE 2, I can confidently share my personal experience and assessment of this mid-range smartphone. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a flagship device, it offers a compelling blend of features and performance for its price.

Design & Build: A Familiar Yet Comfortable Design

The Nord CE 2 boasts a sleek and familiar design with a plastic back and frame. While the plastic build might not feel as premium as glass or metal, it doesn’t feel cheap either. The phone is available in Gray Mirror and Bahama Blue, both of which look quite attractive. The phone is lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it easy to use for extended periods.

Display: Vibrant AMOLED with 90Hz Refresh Rate

One of the highlights of the Nord CE 2 is its 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth and fluid. The colors are vibrant and punchy, and the display gets bright enough for comfortable outdoor use. While it’s not the brightest display on the market, it’s still quite good for the price.

Performance: Dimensity 900 Delivers Smooth Experience

The Nord CE 2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset and comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. In day-to-day use, the phone performs admirably, handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging without any hiccups. It can also handle some light gaming, but don’t expect it to run the most demanding games at the highest settings. Overall, the performance is smooth and responsive for a mid-range device.

Camera: Versatile Triple Camera System

The triple rear camera system consists of a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The main sensor captures detailed and well-exposed photos in good lighting, and the ultrawide lens adds versatility for capturing landscapes and group shots. The macro lens is a fun addition, but its results are a bit underwhelming. Low-light performance is decent, but it’s not the Nord CE 2’s strong suit.

Battery Life: Fast Charging Saves the Day

The 4500mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use. With lighter usage, you can even stretch it to a day and a half. The 65W SuperVOOC fast charging is incredibly fast, fully charging the phone in just over 30 minutes. However, there’s no wireless charging support.

Software & User Experience: OxygenOS – Clean and Intuitive

The Nord CE 2 runs OxygenOS 12 based on Android 11, which offers a clean, minimalist interface with a near-stock Android experience. It’s one of the smoothest and most responsive Android skins available. The software is highly customizable, allowing you to personalize your experience. OnePlus has committed to providing two major Android updates and three years of security updates, which is excellent for a mid-range device.

Connectivity & Additional Features: 5G and Headphone Jack

The Nord CE 2 supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome addition for audiophiles. However, it lacks expandable storage, and there’s no official IP rating for water and dust resistance.

Buying Recommendation

Who’s it for?

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is a great option for users who want a mid-range smartphone with a smooth 90Hz AMOLED display, capable camera system, and fast charging. It’s perfect for everyday use, casual photography, and light gaming.

Pros:

• Smooth 90Hz AMOLED display
• Fast and responsive performance
• Capable triple rear camera system
• Extremely fast 65W SuperVOOC charging
• Clean and customizable OxygenOS
• Headphone jack

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• No expandable storage
• No official IP rating

Overall:

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a great balance of features, performance, and value. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a flagship device, it delivers a satisfying user experience that’s hard to beat at this price point.