OnePlus Nord CE5 Review: A Balanced & Powerful Midrange Phone Under ₹24,000

OnePlus Nord CE5 Review: A Balanced & Powerful Midrange Phone Under ₹24,000

Introduction

The OnePlus Nord CE5 arrives as a solid midrange option under ₹24,000, offering a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex, a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED 120 Hz display, a 50 MP OIS main camera, and a long-lasting 7100 mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC charging. After several months of testing, the phone proves to be a reliable all-rounder with a clean OxygenOS experience and excellent stability.

Design & Build Quality

The Nord CE5 features a slim 6.7 mm profile and a lightweight 199 g body, making it extremely comfortable to use. Its matte-finish polycarbonate back and sturdy plastic frame feel premium despite the midrange pricing. The buttons are tactile, and the overall build is solid with no flex. Even after long-term usage, the phone maintains a fresh and durable feel, thanks to its clean design and scratch-resistant front glass.

Display Quality

The phone sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ display (2400×1080) with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colours and deep blacks. With 1100 nits peak brightness, outdoor visibility is impressive. Content consumption on YouTube and Netflix looks sharp and immersive, while the high refresh rate ensures buttery smooth scrolling and gaming. The display is easily one of the strongest features of the Nord CE5.

Performance (Long-Term Experience)

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex paired with 8GB/12GB RAM and UFS storage, the Nord CE5 delivers consistently smooth performance. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is fast, and no major lags appear even after months of usage.

Gaming performance is also stable:

• BGMI runs smoothly on HD settings
• COD Mobile delivers stable fps
• Heat management is excellent due to efficient thermal control

Long-term, the phone remains responsive and reliable—proof of strong optimization by OnePlus.

Software Experience

Running OxygenOS based on Android 15, the Nord CE5 provides a clean, ad-free, and fast user experience. Animations are smooth, bloatware is minimal, and the UI feels polished. With 4 years of major updates and 6 years of security patches, it ensures long-term usability and stability. Over months, no lag buildup or performance degradation was noticed.

Camera Performance

The phone’s camera setup includes a 50MP main camera with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide.

• Daylight photos come out sharp and color-accurate.
• Low-light shots improve with Night Mode, though still average for the segment.
• Portrait mode offers good edge detection and pleasing skin tones.
• Videos up to 4K 30 fps look stable, thanks to OIS and EIS together.
  The 16MP front camera captures natural selfies with balanced details, making it good for social posts and video calls.

Battery Life & Charging

A large 7100 mAh battery powers the Nord CE5 easily through a full day of mixed usage. With 120 Hz enabled, users get 6–7 hours of screen-on time. Standby performance is excellent with minimal overnight drain.

The 67W SUPERVOOC fast charger included in the box charges the phone from 0% to 100% in around 45 minutes, making it extremely convenient for heavy users.

Network, 5G & Call Quality

The phone supports multiple 5G bands, ensuring reliable connectivity across all major Indian telecom networks. Call quality is crisp, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are stable, and GPS accuracy is strong. Even in low-signal areas, the Nord CE5 maintains steady performance.

Audio & Haptics

The device features a single bottom-firing speaker, which is loud and clear but lacks the immersive quality of stereo setups. Haptics are good for typing and general use. Although there’s no 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth audio connectivity remains sharp and stable.

Storage, Heating & Long-Term Stability

With UFS storage and optimized software, apps load quickly and remain stable over time. The phone handles heavy workloads with minimal heating, even during extended gaming. Months later, the device still feels fresh and smooth—no major slowdowns or overheating issues.

spec table

Spec	Details
Price	₹24,000
Display	6.7″ AMOLED, FHD+, 120 Hz
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex
RAM/Storage	8/12GB RAM, 128/256GB UFS
Rear Camera	50MP OIS + 8MP
Front Camera	16MP
Battery	7100 mAh, 80W SUPERVOOC charging
OS	OxygenOS (Android 15)
Connectivity	5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4
Build	Plastic frame, polycarbonate back
Extras	In-display fingerprint, Face Unlock

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display
• Strong MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex
• Clean and fast OxygenOS
• Reliable all-day battery with 67W fast charging
• Lightweight, premium design
• Good daylight camera with OIS

Cons

• Single speaker
• Low-light camera performance could improve
• No NFC

Who Should Buy This Phone?

The Nord CE5 is perfect for:

• Performance-focused users under ₹24,000
• Students who multitask heavily
• Gamers want smooth gameplay
• OxygenOS lovers who prefer a clean UI
• Long-term users seeking reliability and smoothness

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE5 stands out as a balanced performer under ₹24,000, delivering excellent display quality, reliable performance, long-term software support, and solid battery life. Its combination of OxygenOS smoothness, Snapdragon efficiency, and AMOLED visuals makes it one of the best performance-centric midrange phones in 2025. If you want a smartphone that stays fast and reliable over time, the Nord CE5 is an excellent choice.