Design and Build Quality
One of the standout aspects of the OnePlus Nord 4 is its metal unibody construction, a feature rarely seen in mid-range smartphones. The device feels solid in the hand and offers a premium aesthetic, rivalling even flagship devices.
Key Design Highlights:
- Material: Brushed aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass on the front
- Colors Available: Mercurial Silver, Obsidian Black, and Aurora Blue
- Thickness: 8.1mm
- Weight: 197 grams
The overall design is minimalist with a clean back panel that features a dual-camera setup and subtle OnePlus branding. The phone also includes an in-display fingerprint scanner and dual stereo speakers.
Display: AMOLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate
The OnePlus Nord 4 sports a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The flat screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals, making it perfect for gaming, media consumption, and day-to-day use.
Display Specifications:
- Resolution: 2780 x 1264 pixels
- Panel Type: AMOLED
- Brightness: Peak brightness up to 1600 nits
- HDR Support: HDR10+ certified
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass
This display is calibrated for accuracy, with excellent viewing angles and customizable screen modes for reading, gaming, and night usage.
Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
At the heart of the OnePlus Nord 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, which offers flagship-like performance at a lower cost. Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the device handles multitasking, gaming, and app switching with ease.
Performance Breakdown:
- Processor: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm)
- GPU: Adreno 732
- RAM Options: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
- Storage Options: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0
- Expandable Storage: No
In real-world usage, the OnePlus Nord 4 performs exceptionally well, with smooth UI transitions and little to no lag even under heavy workloads
Camera System: Dual-Lens Setup
While the OnePlus Nord 4 opts for a dual-camera system, it still delivers strong results, especially with the main sensor.
Rear Camera Setup:
- Main Sensor: 50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.8, OIS
- Ultra-Wide Sensor: 8MP, 112° field of view
- Video Recording: Up to 4K at 60fps
Front Camera:
- Selfie Camera: 16MP, fixed focus
- Video Recording: 1080p at 30fps
Although it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, the Nord 4 compensates with effective digital zoom and consistent image processing. Night mode, portrait mode, and Pro mode are all included in the camera app.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus Nord 4 houses a 5500mAh battery, one of the largest in its segment. Combined with optimized software and efficient power management, it easily lasts a full day under heavy usage.
Battery and Charging:
- Battery Capacity: 5500mAh (non-removable)
- Charging Speed: 100W SUPERVOOC
- Charging Time: 0 to 100% in approximately 30 minutes
- Wireless Charging: Not supported
This powerful battery setup ensures you spend less time charging and more time using your phone.
Software Experience: OxygenOS 14
Running on OxygenOS 14, the Nord 4 offers a clean and fluid Android experience with minimal bloatware and a range of customization options.
Key Software Features:
- Android Version: Android 14
- UI: OxygenOS 14
- Security Updates: 4 years
- Major OS Updates: 3 years
The software is fast, intuitive, and refined, staying true to OnePlus’s philosophy of offering a near-stock Android experience with useful enhancements.
Connectivity and Other Features
The OnePlus Nord 4 is equipped with the latest connectivity options and sensors to keep you connected and secure.
Connectivity Features:
- 5G Support: Dual SIM 5G
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth: Version 5.4
- NFC: Yes
- Audio: Dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
- Biometrics: In-display fingerprint sensor and Face Unlock
The lack of a headphone jack may disappoint some users, but the audio quality through both speakers and Bluetooth is excellent.
OnePlus Nord 4 vs OnePlus Nord 3
To help you understand the improvements made in the Nord 4, here is a comparison table:
Feature | OnePlus Nord 3 | OnePlus Nord 4 |
---|---|---|
Display | 6.74″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.74″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
Processor | Dimensity 9000 | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 |
RAM | Up to 16GB LPDDR5 | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
Rear Camera | 50MP + 8MP + 2MP | 50MP + 8MP |
Battery | 5000mAh, 80W charging | 5500mAh, 100W charging |
Software | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13) | Android 14 (OxygenOS 14) |
Build Material | Glass back | Metal unibody |
The OnePlus Nord 4 is not just an incremental upgrade—it improves across all key performance, design, and usability areas.
Pricing and Variants
OnePlus continues its tradition of offering high value for money with aggressive pricing for the Nord 4.
Pricing in India (Approximate):
Variant | Price (INR) |
---|---|
8GB RAM + 128GB Storage | ₹27,999 |
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage | ₹29,999 |
16GB RAM + 512GB Storage | ₹33,999 |
These prices make the Nord 4 highly competitive in the mid-range smartphone segment, especially considering its build quality and performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium metal design
- Excellent performance with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
- Bright, sharp AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Long-lasting 5500mAh battery with ultra-fast charging
- Clean and optimized OxygenOS experience
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- No IP rating for water/dust resistance
- No telephoto lens
- No expandable storage
Despite a few omissions, the Nord 4 provides great value overall and manages to outperform several competitors in its price range.
Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord 4?
The OnePlus Nord 4 is ideal for:
- Students and young professionals looking for a high-performance phone without breaking the bank
- Gamers who want a smooth experience with a high refresh rate display and efficient thermal management
- Content consumers who enjoy binge-watching shows, YouTube, or scrolling on social media
- Power users who multitask across multiple apps and services
It’s also a solid secondary phone for those who already use a flagship and want something reliable at a lower price.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord 4 is a masterclass in how to build a mid-range smartphone that looks, feels, and performs like a premium device. With improvements in build quality, battery life, and performance, it continues to honor OnePlus’s original mission—to deliver fast and smooth smartphones at accessible prices.
If you’re shopping for a smartphone under ₹30,000, the Nord 4 should be at the top of your list. It is well-suited for nearly every kind of user, from casual daily drivers to more demanding enthusiasts.