OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G Review: Balanced Mid-Range Charm with Speedy Charging

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G is a phone that aims to please a broad audience with its balanced features and competitive price. While it doesn’t break new ground in any particular area, it consistently delivers a satisfying experience for everyday use.

Design & Build:

The Nord CE 3 adopts a familiar design language, featuring a sleek plastic back and an aluminum frame. While it lacks the premium feel of glass, the build quality is solid, and the Aqua Surge color option adds a splash of personality. The phone is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it easy to use for extended periods.

Display:

The 6.43-inch AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the Nord CE 3’s highlights. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive gaming. Whether you’re watching videos or scrolling through social media, the display is a pleasure to use.

Performance:

Powered by the Snapdragon 782G chipset and up to 12GB of RAM, the Nord CE 3 handles everyday tasks with ease. Multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run well, though you might need to adjust settings for the most graphically intensive titles. Overall, performance is solid for the price point.

Camera:

The 50MP primary camera captures detailed photos with accurate colors in good lighting. However, low-light performance leaves room for improvement, with images sometimes appearing a bit noisy. The 8MP ultrawide lens is handy for capturing landscapes, and the 2MP macro lens is suitable for occasional close-up shots.

Battery Life:

The 5000mAh battery is a standout feature, easily lasting a full day with moderate to heavy usage. But the real star is the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which juices up the phone in about 30 minutes. This is a game-changer for those who are always on the go.

Software & User Experience:

OxygenOS 13.1, based on Android 13, offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with a few thoughtful additions from OnePlus. It’s fast, fluid, and free of bloatware. The promise of two years of major Android updates and three years of security updates adds peace of mind.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The Nord CE 3 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is quick and accurate. The stereo speakers are a nice touch, providing a more immersive audio experience. However, the absence of a headphone jack may be a drawback for some.

Buying Recommendation:

• Who’s it for? Budget-conscious users seeking a well-rounded phone with a great display, long battery life, and incredibly fast charging.
• Pros: Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, good performance, excellent battery life and fast charging, clean software experience.
• Cons: Average low-light camera performance, no headphone jack, plastic back.
• Overall: The OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G offers a compelling combination of features at an attractive price point. While it may not excel in every area, its strengths in display, battery life, and performance make it a solid choice for everyday users. If you can overlook a few minor compromises, the Nord CE 3 is definitely worth considering.