The Chinese company has recently launched a range of products, and we delved into the OnePlus Nord 4 first. The new Nord 4 comes with a refreshing unibody design which is a change in the series.
In the highly competitive mid-range segment, the OnePlus Nord 4 is strategically positioned with features like a Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 processor, a 6.74-inch AMOLED screen, a 50 MP main camera, a 5,500 mAh battery with 100 W fast charging, and yes, AI features.
Design
The OnePlus Nord 4 marks a significant departure from its predecessors with an all-metal unibody design. This throwback to the classic OnePlus 3T feels fresh in a market full of glass sandwich designs. The phone feels premium in the hand, with a solid build quality that belies its mid-range position. Despite the metal construction, OnePlus has managed to keep the weight at 199.5 grams, with a good balance between durability and comfort.
OnePlus Nord 4 | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
On the back, you will find the camera module positioned horizontally, a departure from the vertical arrangement seen in previous Nord models. The camera lens is slightly raised but integrated well into the overall design. The button layout is typical of OnePlus, with the power button and volume rocker on the right. The alert slider, which we really like, makes a welcome display on the left side. At the top there is an IR emitter and a secondary microphone. At the bottom is the USB Type-C port, SIM tray, and speaker grill.
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The Nord 4 is available in three stunning finishes: Obsidian Midnight (our review variant), Mercurial Silver (featuring an intricate 2D laser-etched design), and Oasis Green. Each variant offers a different personality, providing a different taste. The phone also comes with an IP65 rating, providing protection against dust and water.
Display
The OnePlus Nord 4 sports a 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels, producing a crisp 450 ppi. A 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, while a peak brightness of 2,150 nits makes outdoor visibility a non-issue.
One of its standout features is the ProXDR technology, borrowed from the flagship OnePlus 12 series. This intelligent system analyzes the images and videos in your gallery, adjusting the brightness and clarity to display them at their best, regardless of the viewing environment. The display also supports Ultra HDR, further enhancing the visual experience.
In addition, the flat display is a practical choice, reducing accidental touches and making the device easier to use with a screen protector.
OS
The Nord 4 runs on OxygenOS 14.1, based on Android 14. OnePlus has committed to four years of software updates plus two years of security patches, ensuring the device stays current for years to come. The clean, close-to-stock Android experience that OxygenOS is known for is here, with add-ons that work without cluttering the interface.
Performance and AI
The new Nord 4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset, a powerful mid-range processor. Paired with the Adreno 732 GPU, this setup handles everything from daily tasks to demanding games with ease. Our review unit came with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, providing plenty of memory for multitasking and storage for apps and media. RAM-Vita technology, part of OnePlus’ Trinity Engine, uses AI to optimize memory management, allowing apps to stay open for up to 72 hours.
In the benchmark tests, the Nord 4 impressed with a single-core Geekbench score of 972, a multi-core score of 3972, and a GPU score of 8060. These numbers translate into fast and responsive real-world performance, with no lag. or stammer, even under heavy load.
The phone also comes with a number of smart features designed to speed up everyday tasks. The AI ​​Audio Summary function automatically transcribes long meetings, while the AI ​​Notes Summary quickly digests the inbox into manageable chunks. When language barriers arise, AI Text Translate steps in with ease. But OnePlus hasn’t stopped at productivity – they’ve put AI to good use to solve common frustrations. Nord 4’s Linkboost AI feature uses artificial intelligence to speed up network connectivity after leaving a dead zone, meaning less time spent looking at “No Service” and more time staying connected.
camera
The camera setup on the Nord 4 is led by a 50 MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor, equipped with an 8 MP ultra-wide lens and a 16 MP front camera. In cloudy conditions, the main camera captures detailed images with good dynamic range and accurate colors. The RAW algorithm borrowed from the OnePlus 12 series contributes to excellent clarity and detail retention. Portrait mode produces a pleasing bokeh effect with good edge detection.
The ultra-wide camera, with a field of view of 112 degrees, is suitable for shooting landscapes and group photos. While there is a drop in detail compared to the main sensor, performance is excellent in bright conditions.
The low light performance is commendable, thanks to the night mode, which does a good job of reducing noise and bringing out details in the shadows. However, it’s no match for flagship devices in challenging lighting conditions.
The 16 MP selfie camera produces clear and beautiful self-portraits. The company says it will roll out Groupfie’s AI feature in a new software update, which promises to adjust the subject’s eyes after a shot.
Battery
The Nord 4 ships with a 5,500 mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day. The company has added a 100 W SUPERVOOC fast charger in the box, which fully charges the phone in 30 minutes.
OnePlus has also implemented the Battery Health Engine, which uses AI to analyze usage patterns and optimize charging. The company claims the battery can retain more than 80% of its original capacity after 1,600 charge cycles – roughly four years of use. This focus on longevity is commendable and adds to the overall value proposition of the device.
Verdict
Starting at ₹29,999, the latest OnePlus Nord 4 is a strong contender in the mid-range segment. The all-metal design gives the phone a distinctive appeal, while a powerful processor coupled with AI, a versatile camera system, and a long-lasting battery with super-fast charging make it a great package.
We also feel it can steal the thunder from its siblings, the Nord CE 4 and CE 4 Lite.
