OnePlus has split their smartphone device line-up to offer affordable line of products, geared for everyone. The latest and newest smartphone to be launched is the OnePlus Nord CE 2. The thing that makes it stand out is its oddly low price of Rs. 23,999*, for the starting model. If you think spending thrice as much on a smartphone isn’t worth it, but you’d like a lot of the features from them, things don’t get a lot better than the Nord CE 2. There might be caveats and we are here to tell you just what you get for your money.
A phone at the price of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 should be full of compromises, but it isn’t. On paper, it’s filled to the brim with features and performance. The heart of the Nord CE 2 is a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, a 64-bit octa-core processor. It’s made up of two quad-core processors, one running at 2.4 GHz and the other at 2 GHz. There are variants with 6 and 8 GB of RAM, which are only a Rs. 1,000* apart. If you’re a massive multi-tasker, opt for the 8 GB one, and casual everyday users might find the 6 GB model sufficient. The chipset also brings 5G capability, a feature most of us will find useful at some point in the future. The technology is ready, and it’s only a matter of time before 5G networks start appearing all over the place. You should find the OnePlus Nord CE 2 to be future-ready with this chipset.
The only other variations available are the colours – Gray Mirror and Bahama Blue. The grey model is elegant and minimal, but it’s got presence. The blue model is more casual, and easy going. The designs are tasteful and the camera block at the rear seems to slowly have evolved into a smoother transition, than the harsh, sharp edges we see on other smartphones. Despite all the hardware onboard, the devices weigh only 178g and about 7.8 mm in thickness. That’s quite light, and easy to hold in your hand. The screen itself is sturdy too, lined with Gorilla Glass 5, so chances of accidental damage are reduced significantly.
The phone runs a massive 6.43-inch AMOLED screen running a resolution of 1080 x 2400. This in screen density terms translates to 409 ppi (pixels per inch). The AMOLED technology ensures the screen renders deep blacks and bright whites. It also helps that the display is a HDR10+ certified one, so watching content from online streaming services is an absolute joy. The panel should render all the extreme ends of the colour and brightness. This is also a display that’s rated for sRGB and Display P3 so colour rendition accuracy isn’t ignored either. Colours aren’t just saturated, they’re natural. Gamers should be delighted to know the screen also runs a 90 Hz refresh rate, so you can expect a smooth non-jittery, gaming experience. The benefits are also passed on when you browse through never-ending feeds of news and photos on popular apps.
The camera setup on the Nord CE 2 should be your good friend if you like photography and Instagram. The Dimensity 900 processor on the device, is primed with AI, so it works alongside the cameras in delivering great results. There are three cameras at the rear, the a 64 MP primary one, followed by an 8 MP ultra-wide and a 2 MP macro camera. This lets you click a wide range of photos from close-ups of insects to distant objects, even architectural photos, and wide-open landscapes. There is also a flash unit at the rear and OnePlus claims the camera can shoot 0.6 to 20x with the range of lenses at its disposal. The cameras enable the phone to shoot videos at 4K resolution at 30 fps and you can even slow down footage if you shoot 720p footage at 240 fps. The front-facing camera isn’t shoddy either. It uses a Sony IMX471 16MP sensor. Not only should it suffice for selfies, but you can also use it for making video calls. It can even shoot 1080p videos at 60 fps. The Nord CE 2 also has good image stabilization in place so photos, and videos appear stable, no matter how you shoot them.
5G isn’t the only wireless connectivity, the Nord CE 2 comes with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) capability, which is one of the latest wireless standards. It should enable some high-speed data transfer rates on the network and make streaming content off the web a breeze. Bluetooth 5.2, another new standard is part of the feature set. Energy-efficiency and range with compatible devices will be something to look forward to. NFC, a feature that can bring great convenience, but is sorely missing on other devices, is present here. Other conveniences present is the in-display fingerprint scanner, that lets you unlock the device in a jiffy, and you don’t have to hunt for the scanner at the back of the device, or the sides. It’s also great since you can unlock the phone without lifting it off a surface.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 comes with a Type-C port but that doesn’t mean, no headphone jack. That’s right, you can plug in any pair of earphones or headphones to this device. This like most other modern smartphones comes with two SIM slots, but you won’t have to sacrifice one SIM to use a microSD card. The Nord CE 2 can accommodate both SIMs, and the memory card. So, if you aren’t happy with the 128GB of storage (which is a decent bit of space) that these devices come with, you can plug in a microSD card. No OnePlus device is complete without a fast-charging feature, and this device comes with SUPERVOOC, which is marketing for 65W fast-charging. OnePlus claims 15 minutes of charge should get through an entire day’s usage. The battery at the back of this device is rated at 4,500mAh. That’s impressive, considering you pay a lot less for this device.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 packs a punch and with prices like these, there is bound to be a lot of demand. The Nord CE 2 is now available at reliancedigital.in if you prefer ordering it online. You also get a prompt delivery if you choose that medium. For those of us who prefer a closer look at the device up-close, consider heading down to your nearest Reliance Digital store.
Note: Prices are subject to change. Please refer to the product for the latest prices, details and availability.
