OnePlus Nord 3 5G Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
The smartphone market is filled with options, and the competition is getting fiercer by the day. In a bid to carve its own niche in the ever-shrinking global smartphone market, OnePlus introduced the Nord Series couple of years back. Ever since its introduction, OnePlus has done well in the affordable segment. Now, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G has arrived, packed with premium features, aiming to deliver a top-notch experience without breaking the bank.
Boasting a formidable Dimensity 9000 chipset, a cutting-edge Sony IMX890 camera sensor, and more, the OnePlus Nord 3 promises to impress. Not to mention, its stunning display and lightning-fast charging capabilities aim to win more hearts for the brand. With a starting price of Rs. 33,000/- in India, the question remains: does this new Nord member truly justify its price tag? Let’s dive in and find out!
Design
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is a looker, with its design and color options making it look like a premium version of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. The new phone has slightly curved edges for the glass back, which is Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Misty Green color looks quite good but attracts fingerprints and smudges easily due to the glossy finish. The Tempest Grey color, which has a matte-textured finish, is a better option that looks more premium.
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G has a flat plastic frame with a matte finish. The fan-favorite Alert slider and the power button are on the right side, while the volume rocker is on the left side. At the bottom edge, there is room for a USB Type-C port, primary speaker grille, microphone, and a dual-SIM slot. On the top, there is also an IR emitter which can be used to control appliances in your home.
Display
OnePlus Nord 3 5G has 6.74 inches, 120 Hz AMOLED FHD+ Display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The resolution is 2772 X 1240 pixels with HDR 10+, sRGB, 10-bit Color Depth, and PWM + DC dimming. The display is stunning, with vivid colors and deep blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything on the screen feel smoother, and the touch response is excellent.
Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset powers OnePlus Nord 3 5G, based on 4nm architecture. The phone is available in two storage options, 8GB + 128GB, and 16GB + 256GB, both with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The performance is top-notch, with no lags or stutters, even with multiple apps open in the background.
Camera
OnePlus Nord 3 5G has a 50MP primary camera with Sony IMX890 (OIS supported), an 8MP ultrawide camera with Sony IMX355 (FOV: 112 degrees), and a 2MP macro lens f/2.4 and a FOV 89°. The 16MP front (selfie) camera with EIS support takes good selfies in proper lighting conditions.
The camera features include Photo, Video, Night, Portrait, PANO, TIME-LAPSE, and Dual-view video. The primary camera produces results that are quite similar to that of the OnePlus 11. Details are nicely represented with good color saturation. Noise isn’t very noticeable unless viewed at 100% crop.
The ultra-wide camera on the Nord 3 also delivers good results, although the colors appear slightly muted compared to the main camera. OnePlus has reduced the ultra-wide angle from 120° in the Nord 2 to 112° in the Nord 3 apparently to minimize lens distortion.
Battery and Charging
OnePlus Nord 3 5G has a 5000 mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging. The battery life is excellent, lasting a full day with moderate to heavy usage. The 80W fast charging is a godsend, as it takes just 30 minutes to charge the battery to 100%.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- Attractive design
- Good display
- 80W fast charging
- Reliable everyday performance
Cons
- Average macro lens
- No audio jack
Price and Availability
OnePlus Nord 3 5G has been launched in India in two storage models. The Gray color variants have a leather finish, while the Green one has a glittery glossy finish for the rear panel.
8GB RAM+128GB storage- Rs. 33,999/-
16GB RAM+256GB storage- Rs. 37,999/-
Should you Buy OnePlus Nord 3?
OnePlus Nord 3 5G is a top-notch smartphone with premium features at an affordable price. It has a stunning display, top-notch performance, excellent battery life, and 80W fast charging. The camera is also one of the best in its class, although the macro lens could have been better. Overall, if you’re in the market for a new smartphone, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G is definitely worth considering.
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