Recently, OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Nord CE 5, and it’s already creating a buzz for offering solid features under Rs. 23,000 with bank offers. Ashok recently shared his honest experience after using the device as a secondary phone. Here’s a quick breakdown of five things he liked—and five that could be improved.

5 Things to Love About OnePlus Nord CE 5

1. Massive Battery with Fast Charging
   The phone packs a huge 7,100mAh battery—OnePlus’ biggest so far. It offers around 9+ hours of screen-on time on normal usage, and even 6 hours with heavy use like gaming and camera testing. The included 80W charger charges the phone fully in around 70 minutes.
2. Smooth Gaming Performance
   Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor, the Nord CE 5 performs well for casual gaming. It supports 120 FPS in games like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile. The phone stays cool and handles high frame rates comfortably, though it may not be ideal for competitive gaming.
3. Bright and Vibrant AMOLED Display
   The 6.77-inch AMOLED screen supports 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and even works well with wet hands thanks to Aqua Touch. It offers great visuals for media consumption and is clearly visible even under sunlight.
4. Feature-Rich Software
   Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the phone includes AI features like call summarization, live translation, and Gemini AI integration. It also promises 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches.
5. Versatile Camera System
   The 50MP Sony main sensor with OIS delivers good results in daylight and low light. It supports 4K video recording at 60fps. The front 16MP camera takes detailed selfies, although some minor focus issues are there.

5 Areas That Need Improvement

1. No Stereo Speakers
   The phone has a single bottom-firing speaker. This affects media and gaming experience unless you’re using earbuds.
2. Weak Haptics
   The vibration feedback feels basic and lacks the premium touch found in other phones. Features like vibration on volume slider movement are missing.
3. No True Always-On Display
   Despite having an AMOLED screen, the device doesn’t offer a full-time always-on display. It turns off after a few seconds, which could be fixed with a software update.
4. No NFC or Type-C Audio Support
   There’s no NFC and no support for Type-C earphones, which could disappoint users who rely on these features.
5. Minor UI and RAM Issues
   There are small lags when closing heavy apps and aggressive background app killing. RAM management and occasional UI stutters need optimization.

Final Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a great all-rounder under Rs. 23,000, especially for casual users and content lovers. It offers excellent battery life, smooth gaming, and a great display. While it has a few downsides, most of them can be fixed through software updates.

Would you buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5, or are the cons a deal-breaker for you? Let us know your thoughts!

The much-anticipated OnePlus Nord 5 and OnePlus Nord CE 5 are finally here—at least in early hands-on form. In this detailed unboxing and first impression, we dive into the box content, in-hand experience, design choices, and leaked specifications that are already making headlines. Keep in mind, all details mentioned are based on leaks and early insights, with full confirmed specs and final verdict coming on July 8 after the embargo lifts.

Unboxing Experience: What’s Inside the Box?

Both the OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE 5 share similar box designs and content. Inside each box, users get:

• The smartphone itself

• An 80W SUPERVOOC charger

• USB Type-C charging cable

• SIM ejector tool

• Standard documentation

• A soft case for each device (color-matched for Nord CE 5, grey for Nord 5)

The presence of fast charging right out of the box is a welcomed inclusion, especially in a time when many brands are dropping chargers from their packaging.

In-Hand Feel and Design

The OnePlus Nord 5 sports a solid, premium design with a matte glass finish. Though leaks suggest it has a metal frame, the absence of visible antenna lines makes this uncertain. It will be confirmed post-launch. Regardless of the material, the build quality feels sturdy and refined.

In contrast, the Nord CE 5 comes with a plastic back and plastic frame. Interestingly, tapping on the frame of both devices produces a similar sound, adding to the confusion about the Nord 5’s actual frame material. Nevertheless, both phones are comfortable to hold, featuring slightly curved edges that make them suitable for long-term use.

Notably, the Nord 5 includes a Plus Key on the left side—first introduced with the OnePlus 13S—while the Nord CE 5 has a traditional volume and power button setup on the right. Both devices include a bottom-firing speaker, Type-C charging port, and primary microphone. The rear cameras are vertically aligned and slightly protruding, which results in some wobble when placed on a flat surface.

Camera Setup: Leaked Specs and First Samples

According to early leaks:

• OnePlus Nord 5 is expected to feature a 50 MP main camera with OIS and an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, accompanied by a 50 MP front-facing camera capable of shooting 4K at 60fps—a feature that even the flagship OnePlus 12 lacks.

• OnePlus Nord CE 5 may come with a 50 MP + 8 MP dual rear camera and a 16 MP selfie shooter.

Sample shots shared from both phones show promising results, especially in daylight conditions. However, final camera verdicts will depend on detailed testing after the full review embargo is lifted.

Display, Performance & Battery: Flagship Specs in a Mid-Range Device?

OnePlus Nord 5 (Leaked):

• Processor: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

• Display: 6.83-inch AMOLED panel, 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate

• Cooling: 7,300 mm² Cryo-Velocity vapor chamber

• Battery: 6,800 mAh

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6

• Gaming: 144fps support in titles like BGMI and CODM

OnePlus Nord CE 5 (Leaked):

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8350

• Display: 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate

• Battery: 7,100 mAh

• Camera: Dual rear with 50 MP + 8 MP, 16 MP selfie

These specifications suggest that both phones are designed with power users in mind—especially mobile gamers, binge-watchers, and photography enthusiasts. The high refresh rate displays and huge batteries promise an uninterrupted user experience.

Also Read: OnePlus Watch 3 (43mm) Features and Colors Revealed Before Launch on July 8

Final Thoughts: Early Impressions and What to Expect

With both devices in hand, the OnePlus Nord 5 clearly positions itself as a “flagship killer” with standout features like a high refresh rate AMOLED panel, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, and an advanced camera setup. The Nord CE 5, meanwhile, seems targeted at users looking for excellent battery life and decent all-round performance at a more affordable price.

However, pricing remains under wraps. The full specifications, performance benchmarks, and real-world usage insights will be shared in the complete review releasing on July 8. Until then, these early impressions based on leaks and hands-on usage give us a promising preview.

If you’re considering either of these devices, keep an eye out for the full review. And if there’s anything specific you’d like tested, be sure to share your questions in the comments section.

The OnePlus 13S is here, and it’s packed with more than 50 features, hidden settings, and useful tools that make it one of the smartest smartphones available today. From AI upgrades to smart gestures and deep customizations, here’s everything you need to know about this powerful new device.

🔹 New Hardware and UI Features

• The alert slider is gone, and in its place is a new Plus Key. You can assign it to turn on the torch, open the camera, switch sound modes, and more.
• The OnePlus Mind Space feature lets you save and summarize what’s on your screen using a three-finger swipe gesture. It analyzes content and gives smart suggestions like adding calendar events.

🔹 Connectivity and Network Upgrades

• The OnePlus 13S now supports 5G carrier aggregation, shown as 5G++, offering better network speed.
• The device also supports 5.5G and eSIM, giving users more connectivity flexibility.
• Beacon Link lets you make calls to nearby OnePlus users without mobile data or Wi-Fi using Bluetooth. It works up to 200 meters.

🔹 AI-Powered Tools and Features

OnePlus 13S has integrated several AI features across the system:

• AI Call Assistant in the new OnePlus Stock Dialer helps summarize calls, offers live translation (in limited languages), and lets you record calls without the usual announcement.
• VoiceScribe can record and summarize conversations from apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Meet, and more.
• AI Summary, AI Speak, and AI Writer let you summarize, listen to, or rewrite text in apps like Notes, Gmail, etc.
• The Recorder app now supports AI summaries in multiple languages.
• AI Translate can live-translate screens, conversations, documents, and even camera-captured text.

🔹 Smart Productivity Tools

• Remote PC Control: Control your computer from anywhere using your OnePlus 13S.
• Multi-Screen Connect: Seamlessly connect with a OnePlus Pad to share calls, messages, and files—even without SIM support.
• Drag and Drop: Move content like text or images between apps (in split-screen mode).
• File Dock & Recent Files: Sync files between OnePlus devices and access recent files directly from the sidebar.
• Share with iPhone/PC: Transfer files across platforms using the O Connect app.

Privacy and Security Features

• Screen Sharing Protection: Automatically hides sensitive apps (like Amazon, WhatsApp) during screen sharing.
• Repair Mode: Protects your private data when handing over the phone for repair.
• App Lock and Hidden Apps: Lock and hide apps with a privacy password for extra safety.

Camera & Gallery AI Upgrades

• The front camera now supports 4K 30fps video recording.
• A new AI Recompose feature in the Gallery app auto-fixes and reframes your photos.
• Other AI tools include AI Detail Boost, Eraser, Unblur, and Reflection Remover.

Gaming Features

• The Game Space app now includes Game Capture tools like:
  • Normal screenshots
  • Live screenshots
  • Flashback recording (record the last 30 seconds of gameplay automatically)

🔹 Home Screen & UI Customization

• New launcher features include:
  • Stacked widgets, staged recents, and split control center
  • Custom folder shapes (square, vertical, horizontal)
  • Icon pull-down gestures for easy one-hand access
  • Radiance and Shadow icon packs
• Always-On Display (AOD) supports seamless animations, clock customization, and new themes.

Display and Battery Optimization

• Set screen resolution to high (2640×1216) for better clarity.
• Use App-Specific Refresh Rate to assign 120Hz to important apps and save battery on others.
• Enable Smart Charging and limit charging to 80% to protect battery life.
• Use Balanced Mode instead of High Performance for everyday use.
• Enable Advanced Visual Effects and Enhanced Animations for smoother UI.

Useful System Features

• Phone Manager app helps clean junk files, boost system performance, and even has a speaker cleaner to clear dust using vibrations.
• Scramble Alarm shows a countdown on lock screen and Live Capsule.
• Partial Screen Recording lets you select and record only a part of your screen.
• Live Capsule now supports apps like Zomato, Swiggy, and more for quick access to updates.
• Gesture Controls: Draw shapes to open apps, take screenshots with three fingers, or use air gestures to answer or mute calls without touching the phone.
• Gloves Mode and AquaTouch 2.0 ensure the phone works even with gloves or wet hands.

Final Thoughts

The OnePlus 13S is more than just a flagship smartphone—it’s a smart device filled with features to help you work better, protect your data, and personalize your experience. Whether you’re into photography, gaming, AI tools, or productivity, this phone has something for everyone.