OnePlus Nord CE 4 Review: Battery Champ with Smooth Performance and 5G

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 won’t blow you away with flashy features, but it consistently delivers in the areas that matter most to everyday users: battery life, performance, and a smooth user experience.

Design & Build:

The Nord CE 4 is a comfortable phone to hold, thanks to its slim profile and lightweight build. While the back is plastic, it has a sleek, glass-like finish that resists fingerprints. The included teal case adds a touch of style and protection. Overall, the design is clean and unassuming, with a focus on practicality.

Display:

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature. It’s bright, vibrant, and offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations. Colors pop, and details are sharp, making it a great screen for watching videos or browsing social media. Sunlight visibility is also impressive, ensuring you can use the phone comfortably outdoors.

Performance:

Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM, the Nord CE 4 offers smooth performance for everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, multitasking is fluid, and you can even play demanding games at decent settings. While it might not be the fastest phone on the market, it’s more than enough for most users.

Camera:

The 50MP main camera takes good photos in well-lit conditions, with decent detail and dynamic range. The camera app is easy to use and offers various modes, including Night Mode for low-light photography. While low-light performance isn’t outstanding, it’s on par with other phones in this price range.

Battery Life:

The Nord CE 4 is a battery life champion, thanks to its massive 5000mAh battery. With moderate usage, you can easily get two days of use on a single charge. Even with heavy usage, it should comfortably last a full day. Plus, the included 67W SuperVOOC charger juices up the phone incredibly fast, taking it from 0% to 100% in about 40 minutes.

Software & User Experience:

OxygenOS 13, based on Android 13, is clean, fast, and responsive. It’s one of the best Android skins out there, offering a near-stock experience with some useful OnePlus additions. The phone is expected to receive two years of major Android updates and three years of security updates, which is a good sign for long-term software support.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The Nord CE 4 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also has an IR blaster, which lets you control your TV or other appliances. The phone lacks expandable storage and a headphone jack, which might be a dealbreaker for some. However, it does have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, adding to its durability.

Buying Recommendation:

• Who’s it for? Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a smooth overall experience. It’s also suitable for those who want a clean Android interface with long-term software support.
• Pros: Excellent battery life and fast charging, smooth performance, good camera in daylight, clean software experience.
• Cons: Average low-light camera performance, no expandable storage or headphone jack.
• Overall: The OnePlus Nord CE 4 is a solid mid-range phone that excels in the areas that matter most to most users. If you’re looking for a reliable daily driver with a long-lasting battery and a smooth user experience, the Nord CE 4 is an excellent choice.