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OnePlus Android 11 Released Jul 2021 Discontinued

OnePlus Nord 2

8.3 / 10
Compass Score
Based on 43 critic reviews
Android 11 Operating system
6.42" Screen size
50MP f/1.88 Main camera
MT6893 Dimensity 1200 5G (6 nm) Octa-core Processor
128/256 GB Storage
4,500 mAh Battery

Verdict

The One Plus Nord 2 makes a strong case for the mid-range phone market. With some high-end specs sprinkled in amongst valuable tools, whether it will stay at the top is debatable, but so far, it holds its place.

+
What's good
+ Great performance
+ Vivid, sharp screen
+ Insanely fast charging
+ Long battery life
−
What's not
− Boring design
− No IP rating
− Secondary camera lenses disappointing
By category

Key specs

What critics say

Critic consensus

Compass Score
43 reviews
weighted by credibility
GSMArena
GSMArena

“The Nord 2 is an intriguing product that isn't quite like any of its competitors. It's better in some aspects and worse in others, and whether it might, in early 2022, be the one for you depends entirely on what you prioritize most in your phone use. We've enjoyed all aspects of our time with it except those specifically pointed out as bugs or annoyances, so we can't really tell you to avoid it no matter what.”

GSMArena
GSMArena
8.2

“The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is a glimmer of hope that the flagship killers may be finally coming home. It's been a while since OnePlus offered us a phone worthy of its pioneered title, but here is the Nord 2 successfully reclaiming just that. The OnePlus Nord 2 offers a thoughtful pick of flagship features at a mid-range price. There is a 90Hz Fluid AMOLED, the best MediaTek chipset right now - Dimensity 1200, a flagship-grade 50MP Sony camera with OIS, and impressively fast 65W Warp Charge coming lifted from the OnePlus 9 series. The Nord 2 not only handles very well under pressure, but it also offers loud stereo speakers, good photo and video quality, long-lasting battery life, one impressive connectivity suite and everything is wrapped within a mesmerizing body designed to impress. Of course, nothing will work this well if it weren't for the fan-favorite OxygenOS - one of the fastest launchers on the market to date.”

Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck
8.5

“OnePlus has made numerous improvements in the successor, and it even challenges its own, significantly more expensive phones in some areas: The OnePlus Nord 2 5G charges very quickly, provides fast Internet, modern communication standards like 5G, good performance scores, and a decent camera system. Sure, when it comes to an IP certification, case materials, color accuracy of the display, and audio quality or wireless charging, you have to make some sacrifices compared to true high-end phones. But for many users, these are probably minor details, making the OnePlus Nord 2 5G look very good compared to much more expensive phones.”

ZDNet
ZDNet
8

“OnePlus continues to plough the mid-range 5G smartphone furrow with the Nord 2, to impressive effect. It's nice to see two 5G SIMs supported, and the fast charging works well. There's room for improvement as far as the speakers are concerned, and it's a pity you can't add more storage via MicroSD. And on a personal note, I miss the Reading Mode.”

Community opinion

What people say

Only a few ratings so far, not enough to show a trend yet.

1 rating so far

Recent voices
TB
Tilak basumatary · 5 years ago
Recommended

The OnePlus Nord 2 5g android phone is good build. Especially while talking about the OnePlus phones are literally good enough to use in every site. The specs of the phone is also too good and the build quality of the phone is also much better.

In Depth

The One Plus Nord 2 sits firmly in the middle of current mobile phone prices. It promises a smooth experience with some high-end specs tossed in for good measure. Does it offer a compelling experience for those looking to avoid the costs of top-end phones? Let’s take a look!

Design

The silence button on the phone’s side is the only design element that might help One Plus Nord 2 stand out in today’s market filled with small rectangular slabs. Despite the so-so design, reviewers called it comfortable in hand, with many noting that the Gorilla Glass 3 on the back feels premium.

Display

The OLED display has a lot to offer, pleasing reviewers with its smooth performance and ample customization options, including AI Color Boost and AI Resolution Boost. Some argued that a 90Hz refresh rate wasn’t enough for the market these days. However, compared with other phones in this price range, having a 90Hz refresh rate is average.

Performance

One Plus has opted to use a Mediatek chipset that is exclusive to the One Plus brand. When asked what was different from this chipset to the other similar Mediatek versions, One Plus stated that there are subtle but valuable tweaks to theirs to improve performance. In real-world use, reviewers agreed, finding no issues with hiccups or weirdness.

Software & Storage

If you’re looking for a stock Android experience, the One Plus Nord 2 isn’t it. Reviewers stated that OxygenOS 11.3, which this phone uses, is like a happy combination of the OxygenOS and ColorOS from Oppo. All of this runs on top of Android 11. The phone comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage with no MicroSD option for expansion.

Cameras

Reviewers thought the primary lenses on the phone worked wonderfully. Even with zoom activated, images remained sharp and full of detail. The ultra-wide and chromatic lenses were disappointing, though. In bright lighting, these function great, but there’s a lot of grainy blotchiness to worry about in low-light situations.

Battery Life

The One Plus Nord 2 has plenty of battery to spare. Reviewers hit the end of the day with around 15% charge remaining. Reviewers noted that the super speedy charging offered by the 65W charger was fantastic. It often topped off the entire battery in less than 30 minutes.

Audio

Reviewers were pleasantly surprised to find the One Plus Nord 2 has stereo speakers at the bottom of the phone. While they won’t blow you away, it’s noticeably better than most phones with a single mono speaker. There is no headphone jack, though, so if you need some form of a headset, you will need to rely on Bluetooth.

Specs at a Glance

  • Glass chassis
  • 6.42-inch OLED display
  • MediaTek MT6893 Dimensity 1200 5G processor
  • 6,8, or 12GB of RAM
  • Android 11
  • 128 or 256GB of storage
  • 50+MP camera
  • 4,500mAh battery

Bottom Line

With people more mindful of how and where they spend money, the market for mid-range phones has blown up. The One Plus Nord 2 is a valuable asset to this group, offering a sprinkling of high-end specs and a 90Hz refresh rate. There are very few downsides to this phone.

Tech Advisor says, “The Nord 2 makes a strong case for itself. The Dimensity 1200-AI chipset is one of the most powerful you’ll find for the price, the understated design remains appealing, and the main camera will outclass most rivals.”

Tech Radar states, “The OnePlus Nord 2 is an exciting addition to the mid-range phone market, with some high-end specs and a great experience so far. Whether this will be the best phone at this price point remains to be seen, but so far, it seems like a top choice.”

Common questions

What people actually want to know

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Community

Questions & answers

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