New Delhi: The next big launch from OnePlus is right around the corner, and the Nord 5 has landed in our hands ahead of schedule. The phone will officially launch on July 8, alongside the Nord CE5, but we’ve already got a chance to take a closer look at the box, the design and what’s inside. This time around, OnePlus seems to be aiming for a balance between flashy hardware and familiar packaging.
Read More: OnePlus Nord 5 Camera Samples
The Nord series has always sat in the middle, not exactly entry-level, not fully premium. With Nord 5, OnePlus is bringing in a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip for the first time in this lineup, giving it a performance boost. But not everything screams flagship.
OnePlus Nord 5 First Look
Unboxing the Nord 5: Familiar box, flashy back
The box is the same bright Nord blue we’ve seen over the years. At first glance, there’s nothing unusual, no model number printed in front, just the usual Nord branding. You’ll only realise it’s the Nord 5 when you flip the box over.
Inside, OnePlus has packed the usual kit: an 80W fast charger, USB-C cable, and a dark grey silicone case. No surprises there.
But the real surprise starts once you pick up the phone. We got the Marble Sands variant, which has a light champagne gold frame and a glass back that looks like textured marble. Depending on how the light hits it, the surface appears to change depth. It’s difficult to capture in a photo, and definitely looks more interesting in person.
One small letdown, though, the frame is plastic. That’s a shift from the Nord 4’s metal unibody design, which felt a lot more premium. In the hand, this change is noticeable; however, the device still feels premium.
OnePlus Nord 5 First Look
A return to vertical cameras, but with a serious camera spec
OnePlus has gone back to a vertical camera layout here. The Nord 4 had a horizontal setup, but with Nord 5, the company is sticking to the more common vertical stack found on older Nord devices.
The main rear sensor is a 50MP Sony LYT-700 with optical image stabilisation, which should help with low light and video stability. On the front, you also get a 50MP selfie camera, this time using Samsung’s JN5 sensor with autofocus — a good upgrade for content creators or frequent video callers.
OnePlus Nord 5 First Look
144Hz display for games, flagship chip inside
The display on the Nord 5 supports refresh rates up to 144Hz for games like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile. That’s a big plus for mobile gamers. Powering it all is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which makes this the most powerful Nord yet.
This move also sets a new benchmark for what buyers can expect from the Nord line. It’s the first time a flagship-grade chip is being used in the series.
OnePlus Nord 5 First Look
OnePlus Nord 5 launch set for July 8
We’ll know more about the phone, pricing and other details when the launch takes place next week. But based on our early impressions, OnePlus is trying to position the Nord 5 as a phone that packs in top-tier performance, in a budget.
Read more: OnePlus Nord 5 CE first look
We’ll share the full review soon. Till then, stay tuned.