OnePlus has largely stuck to using the Snapdragon 8xx series flagship processors for its smartphone over the years. These releases also largely come around when the processor is relatively new, thus often pitching OnePlus smartphones against other flagships of that processor generation. Perhaps the only exception to this was the OnePlus X -- launched back in October 2015, the phone opted to use an older flagship processor instead of the newest one available that year -- marking itself as a more mid-range option. After a few gap years, OnePlus is now marking a return to the mid-range segment with the OnePlus Nord, and this time, it's using a proper mid-range SoC instead of an older flagship processor.

OnePlus Nord XDA Forums

OnePlus Nord

OnePlus Nord: Specifications

Specification

OnePlus Nord

Dimensions & Weight

  • 158.3 x 73.8 x 8.2 mm
  • 184g

Display

  • 6.44" FHD+ Fluid AMOLED
  • 20:9 aspect ratio
  • 90Hz refresh rate
  • sRGB and Display P3 support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Dual hole-punch

SoC

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G:
    • 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz
    • 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz
    • 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz
    • 7nm EUV process
  • Adreno 620

RAM & Storage

  • 6GB + 64GB
  • 8GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1
  • 12GB + 256GB

Battery & Charging

  • 4,115 mAh battery
  • Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) for fast charging

Fingerprint sensor

In-display

Rear Camera

Photo:

  • Primary: 48MP Sony IMX586, 0.8µm, f/1.75, OIS, EIS
  • Secondary: 8MP wide-angle camera, f/2.25, 119° FoV
  • Tertiary: 5MP depth sensor, f/2.4
  • Quarternary: 2MP macro sensor, f/2.4

Video:

  • 4K @ 30fps
  • 1080p @ 30/60/240fps

Front Camera

  • Primary: 32MP Sony IMX616, f/2.45, 0.8µm, fixed focus, EIS
  • Secondary: 8MP wide-angle, f/2.45, 105° FoV

Other Features

  • Alert Slider
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Bluetooth 5.1
    • Supports aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, AAC
  • GPS (L1+L5 Dual Band), GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, SBAS, A-GPS, NavIC
  • NFC
  • Band Support:
    • India:
      • GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
      • WCDMA: B1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 19
      • LTE-FDD: B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26
      • LTE-TDD: B38, 39, 40, 41, 46
      • 5G: N78
      • MIMO: LTE: B1, 3, 40; NR: N78
    • Europe:
      • GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
      • WCDMA: B1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 19
      • LTE-FDD: B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 66
      • LTE-TDD: B34, 38, 39, 40, 41
      • 5G: N1, 3, 7, 28, 78
      • MIMO: LTE: B1, 3, 4, 7, 38, 41; NR: N1, 3, 7, 78

Android Version

Android 10 with OxygenOS 10.5

The OnePlus Nord was initially leaked with a different design, but as it turns out, OnePlus had decided to change the design at the very last moments. But even then, the company had revealed all of it in the days leading up to the launch, so there is no real surprise left for the design. The majority of the front is occupied by the 6.44" FHD+ AMOLED display -- OnePlus is sticking to 90Hz for its smartphones as the minimum, and it isn't backing down on this spec. On the back, you get the camera island on the top left corner and the phone branding along the middle and bottom. The USB Type-C port finds space at the bottom, alongside the speaker grille. As is now tradition, the OnePlus Nord also does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. And considering that this remains a phone placed lower than the OnePlus 8, it also does not have wireless charging. The alert slider is retained, thankfully.

On the inside, the Nord is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, which might slightly disappoint those hoping for a miraculous inclusion of the Snapdragon 768G. OnePlus is combining the 765G with copious amounts of LPDDR4X RAM and decent UFS 2.1 storage. The 4,115 mAh battery is Warp Charge 30T compatible, meaning that you can charge it at up to 30W with the included, proprietary charger.

OnePlus has placed a lot of confidence in the Nord's camera setup. The primary camera on the Nord is the same as the one we see on the OnePlus 8, so results on this end should be fairly predictable. The primary sensor is accompanied by an ultra-wide-angle camera, a dedicated depth sensor, and a macro camera. The front has two cameras though: a 32MP primary sensor and an 8MP wide-angle -- which is a first for OnePlus' portfolio.

And of course, the OnePlus Nord runs on OxygenOS 10.5 based on Android 10. This means you get a relatively clean Android experience with a few improvements on top. OnePlus is also promising that the Nord will receive two years of software updates and three years of security updates -- just like the flagship OnePlus devices.

Pricing and Availability

The OnePlus Nord will be available in select regions only, in Blue Marble and Gray Onyx colors. Specific local pricing may differ, but the broad pricing is as below:

  • Europe:
    • 8GB + 128GB: €399
    • 12GB + 256GB: €499
  • United Kingdom:
    • 8GB + 128GB: £379
    • 12GB + 256GB: £469
  • India:
    • 6GB + 64GB: ₹24,999 (launching in September in Gray Onyx only) (~$335)
    • 8GB + 128GB: ₹27,999 (~$375)
    • 12GB + 256GB: ₹29,999 (~$402)

The device will go on sale from August 4, 2020, across OnePlus.com as well as partner websites in those regions. Offline availability may vary according to local movement restrictions and advisories. India gets a special 6GB plus 64GB variant, starting at ₹24,999 (~$335) -- but there is a catch, as this device goes on sale only in September 2020, which is still a couple of months away.

The OnePlus Nord will go on sale in the following regions and countries:

In addition to the familiar Sandstone-finish cases, OnePlus also has collaborated with certain creators to offer cases. This includes one that mimics dbrand's teardown skin, courtesy of a collaboration with Zach from JerryRigEverything.

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus Nord? Let us know in the comments below!