OnePlus Nord N30 5G brings a well-rounded smartphone experience at an impressively affordable price. With its solid specifications and competitive pricing of $205, this phone stands out in the mid-range market. Below, we’ll dive into its design, performance, display, camera, and battery life to see how it stacks up.
Key Features and Specifications
- Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- Memory: 128GB storage with 8GB RAM
- Camera: Triple rear setup (108MP main) and 16MP selfie camera
- Battery: 5000mAh with 50W wired charging
- Operating System: Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1
Design and Build
The Nord N30 5G features a minimalist yet practical design.
- Dimensions: 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm, weighing 195g.
- Materials: A glass front and plastic frame/back give it a sturdy yet lightweight feel.
- SIM Options: Hybrid dual-SIM support (Nano-SIM).
The Chromatic Gray finish adds a touch of elegance. While the build is plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap, thanks to OnePlus’ clean and functional design ethos.
Display
One of the standout features of the Nord N30 is its 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel:
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, delivering sharp visuals with 391 PPI.
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz, offering smooth scrolling and responsive gameplay.
- Brightness: Peaks at 671 nits, making it usable under bright sunlight.
While it’s not an AMOLED display, the IPS panel holds its own with vibrant colors and a decent contrast ratio of 1172:1.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, the Nord N30 delivers a snappy and efficient experience:
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver).
- GPU: Adreno 619 for casual gaming.
- Benchmarks:
- AnTuTu: 404,120 (v9)
- GeekBench: 2032 (v5.1), 2121 (v6)
- GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
Everyday tasks like browsing, multitasking, and social media are smooth. It handles casual gaming well, though intensive gaming might show its mid-range limitations.
Software
The phone runs Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1, known for its clean and user-friendly interface.
- Customization options abound, allowing users to tweak themes and settings.
- OxygenOS’ lightweight approach ensures smooth performance without unnecessary bloatware.
Camera
The 108MP triple-camera setup is a highlight:
- Main Camera: 108MP wide lens delivers detailed shots in good lighting.
- Macro and Depth Sensors: Both 2MP, useful for niche shots but not groundbreaking.
- Selfie Camera: A 16MP wide lens captures decent selfies, albeit struggling slightly in low light.
- Video: Limited to 1080p at 30fps on both front and rear cameras, which is acceptable at this price point.
While the camera setup excels in daylight, low-light performance could benefit from better optimization.
Battery Life
With a 5000mAh battery, the Nord N30 impresses:
- Endurance Rating: 119 hours in tests.
- Charging Speed: 50W wired charging fills the battery quickly, perfect for users on the go.
This combination ensures a full day of heavy usage without concern.
Connectivity
The phone covers all essentials:
- 5G support ensures future-proof connectivity.
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.1 handle wireless needs effectively.
- NFC is included, a rare feature at this price point.
- Lacks a built-in radio, but the 3.5mm headphone jack compensates.
Sound
Dual stereo speakers provide loud and clear audio with a -25.3 LUFS rating. The 3.5mm jack ensures compatibility with legacy headphones, which is a big plus for audiophiles.
Price and Value
At $203, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers:
- A 120Hz display,
- Strong battery life,
- Decent performance,
- And a capable main camera.
Its compromises, such as the lack of 4K video recording and a plastic build, are acceptable at this price point.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing.
- 120Hz display refresh rate.
- Reliable battery life with fast charging.
- Decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Dual stereo speakers and a headphone jack.
Cons:
- Limited low-light camera performance.
- No 4K video recording.
- Plastic back might not appeal to premium seekers.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G Full Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 5G Bands: Supported | |
| Launch | Announced: 2023, June 06 |
| Released: 2023, June 08 | |
| Body | Dimensions: 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight: 195 g (6.88 oz) | |
| Build: Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | |
| SIM: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | |
| Display | Type: IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Size: 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm² (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | |
| Features: Always-on display | |
| Platform | OS: Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | |
| GPU: Adreno 619 | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM (UFS 2.2) |
| Card Slot: microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | |
| Main Camera | Triple: |
| – 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67″, 0.64µm, PDAF | |
| – 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | |
| – 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | |
| Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama | |
| Video: 1080p@30fps | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Features: HDR, panorama | |
| Video: 1080p@30fps | |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm Jack: Yes | |
| Comms | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | |
| NFC: Yes | |
| Radio: No | |
| USB: USB Type-C | |
| Features | Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: 50W wired | |
| Miscellaneous | Colors: Chromatic Gray |
| Model: CPH2515 | |
| Price: $205 | |
| Performance Tests | AnTuTu: 404,120 (v9) |
| GeekBench: 2032 (v5.1), 2121 (v6) | |
| GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | |
| Display Tests | Contrast Ratio: 1172:1 |
| Max Brightness: 671 nits (measured) | |
| Audio Tests | Loudspeaker: -25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery Tests | Endurance Rating: 119 hours |
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G delivers excellent value for its price. With a robust feature set, stylish design, and reliable performance, it’s a great choice for budget-conscious users looking for 5G connectivity and a well-rounded smartphone experience.
For just $205, this phone punches above its weight, making it one of the most competitive options in the mid-range segment.
