The OnePlus Nord 5 isn’t just another phone—it marks a coming-of-age for OnePlus’s beloved mid‑range lineup. Launched in India on July 8, 2025, it bridges the gap between wallet-friendly pricing and flagship‑grade chops, giving you the best of both worlds without breaking the bank.
A Fresh Take on Design
Gone is the full‑metal unibody of its predecessor, but you won’t miss it. Instead, the Nord 5 sports a glossy glass back framed in sturdy plastic, bringing an unexpectedly premium feel to your hand. It measures 163.4 × 77 × 8.1 mm and weighs in at a satisfying 211 g—just enough heft to feel solid, but never cumbersome. Plus, with IP65 water‑and‑dust resistance, you can worry less about splashes or dusty commutes. Choose from Marble Sands (a subtly textured finish that hides fingerprints like a champ), Phantom Gray, or the icy elegance of Dry Ice.
A Display Made for Gamers (and Everyone Else)
If smooth, vibrant visuals are your thing, the Nord 5’s 6.83‑inch Swift AMOLED display will steal your heart. With a sharp 1272 × 2800‑pixel resolution and a silky 144 Hz refresh rate, scrolling feels butter‑smooth and games practically leap off the screen. When the sun’s out, the panel pushes up to 1,800 nits—so you won’t be squinting at your feed on bright afternoons. HDR10+ support makes movies and videos pop, while Corning Gorilla Glass 7i keeps scratches at bay.
Flagship Power Under the Hood
For the first time in the Nord series, OnePlus drops in an 8‑series chip: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Fabricated on an efficient 4 nm process, it teams up with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. A sprawling 7,300 mm² vapor‑chamber cooling system keeps everything running smoothly, even during marathon gaming sessions. In benchmarks, the Nord 5 flexes with a 1,481,616‑point AnTuTu score, plus 2,003/5,094 single‑/multi‑core Geekbench results—truly flag‑waving numbers for a mid‑ranger.
Photography That Punches Above Its Weight
OnePlus borrows the same 50 MP Sony LYT‑700 sensor from its top‑end OnePlus 13, complete with optical stabilization, so your shots stay sharp whether you’re in daylight or chasing sunsets. An 8 MP ultrawide lens doubles as a macro tool, letting you get as close as 3.5 cm for detailed flower‑and‑insect studies. On the front, a huge 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 selfie camera promises crisp, vibrant portraits (and yes—4K video at 60 fps). Low‑light shots can get a tad soft, but for everyday snapping and social‑media stories, it more than holds its own.
All‑Day Battery (And Then Some)
A 6,800 mAh cell powers the Nord 5—one of the biggest packs in the series—paired with 80 W SuperVOOC charging that brings you from zero to full in about 54 minutes. Need to top up earbuds or a friend’s phone? Flip on 5 W reverse wireless charging. And if you’re gaming while plugged in, bypass charging keeps heat off the battery, so you can play worry‑free. In real‑world tests, expect around 19.8 hours of YouTube playback or roughly five hours of non‑stop gaming.
Software and Smarts
OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, runs the show—promising four major Android updates and six years of security patches to keep your phone feeling new. Dive into OnePlus’s AI suite via the customizable “Plus Key,” and you’ll discover AI‑powered helpers like Detail Boost (for sharper photos), Reflection Eraser, Unblur, and even Circle to Search for instant context‑driven lookups.
Gaming: The Nord 5’s Sweet Spot
Between its power‑house chipset, vapor‑chamber cooling, and blister‑fast 144 Hz display, the Nord 5 is a dream for mobile gamers. Favorites like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile can hit 144 fps and sustain it for hours. Pro Gamer Mode and Adaptive Frame Booster squeeze every drop of performance out of the hardware, and with that giant battery, you can keep playing well past dinner time.
Pricing and Value
In India, the Nord 5 starts at ₹31,999 for 8 GB+256 GB, ₹34,999 for 12 GB+256 GB, and ₹37,999 for the 12 GB+512 GB model. Early buyers can snag an extra ₹2,000 off with select bank cards.
When stacked against rivals like the POCO F7 or iQOO Neo 10, the Nord 5 holds its own by offering top‑tier optimization, robust battery life, and a best‑in‑class display—all at a price that won’t make you wince.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date (India) | July 8, 2025 |
| Dimensions & Weight | 163.4 × 77 × 8.1 mm; 211 g |
| Build & Protection | Glass back, plastic frame; IP65 water/dust resistance |
| Colors | Marble Sands (textured), Phantom Gray, Dry Ice |
| Display | 6.83″ Swift AMOLED, 1272×2800 px (450 ppi), 144 Hz, HDR10+, 1,800 nits, GG 7i |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & Storage | 8/12 GB LPDDR5X RAM; 256/512 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Cooling | 7,300 mm² vapor‑chamber system |
| Rear Cameras | 50 MP Sony LYT‑700 (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide/macro |
| Front Camera | 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 60 fps (front & rear) |
| Battery | 6,800 mAh; 80 W SuperVOOC; 5 W reverse wireless; bypass charging |
| Software | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15); 4 years OS updates, 6 years security patches |
| AI Features | AI Detail Boost, AI Reflection Eraser, AI Unblur, Circle to Search |
| Gaming Features | 144 Hz display, Pro Gamer Mode, Adaptive Frame Booster |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS/GLONASS, USB‑C |
| Extras | Under‑display fingerprint, face unlock, IR blaster |
| Price (INR) | ₹31,999 (8 GB+256 GB) → ₹37,999 (12 GB+512 GB) |
The Bottom Line
If you’re chasing flagship speed, marathon‑worthy battery life, and a gorgeous, high‑refresh display—without the flagship price tag—the OnePlus Nord 5 is your ticket. It may trade a metal unibody for glass, but the trade‑offs are worth it: you get a faster chip, better thermals, and a premium look and feel. For gamers, multi‑taskers, and anyone who hates running for the charger, the Nord 5 is precisely the kind of “just right” phone you’ve been waiting for.
