OnePlus, the renowned smartphone manufacturer, has introduced a new mid-range device called the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. Aimed primarily at the US market, this phone offers a range of features at a reasonable price point. In this review, we will delve into the specifications, design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. Let’s find out if it’s a good deal for the price.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G specifications
Design:
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Plastic back with a glossy finish
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Solid build quality
Display:
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6.72-inch LCD display
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1080p resolution
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120Hz refresh rate
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Lack of deep blacks compared to OLED displays
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No HDR support
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Color accuracy issues with whites and grays trending towards a bluish tint
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Maximum brightness levels of up to 550 nits (manual slider) and 670 nits (auto mode)
Performance:
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset
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Oxygen OS 13.1 based on Android 13
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128GB or 256GB onboard storage
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Expandable storage via microSD
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Decent day-to-day performance
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Not as powerful as more expensive OnePlus models
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Middle-of-the-road CPU and graphics scores in benchmarks
Battery Life:
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5,000mAh battery capacity
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Endurance rating of 119 hours in proprietary tests
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50-watt super-voke charging
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Rapid charging from 0 to 73% in half an hour
Camera:
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Triple-camera setup on the back:
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108MP main camera (produces 12MP photos by default)
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2MP macro camera
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Depth sensor
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3x lossless zoom by cropping from the center of the 108MP sensor
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Good detail and wide dynamic range in photos captured by the main camera
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Decent performance in portrait mode
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Main camera struggles in low-light conditions with visible noise and blown-out light sources
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Night mode available but sacrifices detail and introduces excessive sharpening
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1080p video capture at 30fps with average quality and limited dynamic range
Also Read: Unveiling the OnePlus 11 5G Marble Odyssey Limited Edition
Design and Display
The design of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G features a plastic back with a glossy finish. While the plastic material may not feel as premium as glass or metal, it contributes to the phone’s solid build quality. However, one drawback of the glossy finish is that it easily attracts fingerprints, requiring regular cleaning to maintain a clean appearance.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G boasts a 6.72-inch LCD panel. With a 1080p resolution, it provides sharp and detailed visuals. The display also stands out with its 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smooth and fluid scrolling and navigation. This high refresh rate enhances the overall user experience, especially when interacting with the device’s user interface and scrolling through content.
However, one aspect where the OnePlus Nord N30 5G falls short compared to more premium models is in its display technology. Unlike devices with OLED displays, the Nord N30 5G’s LCD panel lacks deep blacks, which may impact contrast and overall visual quality. Additionally, the absence of HDR support means that the device won’t deliver the same level of vibrant and lifelike colors as devices with HDR-enabled displays.
Color accuracy is another area where the OnePlus Nord N30 5G has room for improvement. In some instances, whites and grays can appear slightly bluish, even after tweaking them in the device’s settings. While this may not be a major concern for casual users, those who prioritize accurate color reproduction for tasks like photo editing or content creation might find this aspect lacking.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers a maximum brightness level of up to 550 nits with the manual slider. In auto mode, it can boost up to 670 nits, which makes the display usable outdoors, although it may not be comfortable to use under direct sunlight.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset. While it may not be the most powerful chip on the market, it still delivers decent performance for day-to-day tasks. It may not match the performance of higher-end OnePlus models, but it handles everyday usage smoothly, allowing users to navigate through apps, browse the web, and multitask without significant lag or slowdown.
The device runs on Oxygen OS 13.1, based on Android 13, which provides a clean and user-friendly interface. It offers a similar experience to Realme’s Realme UI 4.0 and Oppo’s Color OS 13, making it familiar for users who have used devices with these interfaces before. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G also includes some custom features on top of the standard Android experience, such as the floating windows function and a smart side bar, which provide added convenience and shortcuts.
In benchmark tests, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G achieves middle-of-the-road CPU scores and graphics scores. While it may not excel in raw performance, it still offers enough power to handle most apps and games without significant issues. It strikes a good balance between performance and affordability, making it suitable for users who don’t require the absolute cutting-edge performance of flagship devices.
Also Read: OnePlus 12 Series Specifications, Periscope Lens, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Battery Life
Battery life is one area where the OnePlus Nord N30 5G excels. It houses a large 5,000mAh battery capacity, which provides excellent endurance. In proprietary tests, the phone earned an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating that it can easily last through a full day of heavy usage without requiring frequent recharging.
Additionally, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G supports 50-watt super-voke charging, which allows for fast charging capabilities. It can charge from 0 to 73% in just half an hour, ensuring that users can quickly top up their battery when needed. The fast charging feature adds convenience, especially for users on the go or those who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Camera Capabilities
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 108MP main camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a depth sensor. While it offers multiple lenses, it’s important to note that the usefulness of these cameras varies.
Main Camera
Starting with the main camera, which utilizes a 108MP sensor, it produces 12MP photos by default through pixel binning. The main camera captures photos with good detail and a wide dynamic range. Images appear decently sharp, although there might be slight oversharpening in certain areas. Overall, the main camera delivers satisfactory results for everyday photography.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G includes a portrait mode that performs reasonably well. Subject detection and separation are decent, thanks in part to the presence of the depth sensor. However, in busier backgrounds, the portrait mode may struggle to provide a perfect separation between the subject and the background.
Zoom
One noteworthy feature is the 3x lossless zoom, achieved by cropping from the center of the 108MP sensor. This digital zoom capability allows users to capture relatively sharp photos with minimal loss of detail. It’s a handy option for getting closer to subjects when needed.
In low-light conditions, the performance of the main camera is less impressive. While the detail level is acceptable and colors remain true to life, there is visible noise in the images. Light sources often appear blown out, and shadows tend to be overly dark, impacting overall image quality.
Night Mode
To mitigate the limitations in low light, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers a night mode. Enabling night mode brightens the images and boosts shadow details, resulting in better-exposed shots. However, the downside is that night mode images may lack fine details and appear softer due to aggressive noise reduction and sharpening.
Video Recording
Video recording capabilities of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G are limited to 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. While the quality is acceptable with decent detail and pleasing colors, the dynamic range is somewhat narrow, leading to darker shadows. Electronic stabilization is available, but it might not be as effective in providing completely stable footage, as some shake and focus hunting can still be noticeable.
Front Camera
Additionally, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G includes a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies. Selfies taken with this camera exhibit pleasing colors and decent dynamic range. However, the subject may appear soft with smoothed-out textures, which might not satisfy users seeking highly detailed self-portraits.
Also Read: Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera: Unleashing the Power of Innovation
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G presents a compelling mid-range option for users in the US market. Its standout features include the large 120Hz display, impressive battery life, and fast charging capabilities. While it lacks some attention-grabbing features found in more expensive OnePlus models, the Nord N30 5G offers a well-rounded package at a reasonable price.
Comparisons with alternatives such as the Pixel 6A and Galaxy A14 5G reveal the Nord N30 5G’s strengths in terms of display size and performance. However, users seeking OLED screens or a wider range of options may need to consider importing devices from other markets, taking into account supported network bands.
All in all, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that delivers a satisfactory user experience without breaking the bank.
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