OnePlus Nord 4: A Solid Mid-Range Offering with a Premium Feel, but Some Software Quirks
OnePlus has staked its claim in the Indian mid-range smartphone market with the OnePlus Nord 4, a device that stands out with its aluminum unibody design, a powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, and a 50-megapixel main camera. However, while the Nord 4 delivers on many fronts, it also comes with its share of software quirks that might concern some users. Let’s dive into a detailed review to see how this phone stacks up against its competitors.
A Design That Feels Familiar and Premium
One of the Nord 4’s standout features is its design, a departure from the plastic unibody trend, reminiscent of the classic HTC One (M8). The aluminum build feels sturdy and premium, instantly elevating the phone’s aesthetics and perceived value. The Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green, and Obsidian Midnight color options further enhance its appeal.
The tri-state alert slider is a OnePlus staple, offering a tactile and satisfying way to switch between ring, silent, and vibrate modes. Unfortunately, the rear panel gets slightly warm during gaming sessions, though not uncomfortably so.
Software: A Missed Opportunity for a Simpler Experience
While OxygenOS 14.1 runs smoothly on the Nord 4, navigating through apps and multi-tasking feels seamless, there are certain software quirks that detract from the overall user experience. One notorious feature is Lock Screen Magazine, which automatically replaces your lock screen photo with a random image without a clear way to disable it.
AI-powered features like the AI Eraser in the Gallery app and the automatic summary feature in the Recorder app are welcome additions, although they still require some work for a more reliable experience. The AI Eraser works best on images captured with the phone’s camera and only when the photo has sufficient detail. The automatic summary feature, while promising, has an unspecified minimum length requirement, making it less convenient for shorter recordings.
Unfortunately, the phone comes pre-loaded with a handful of unwanted apps and game recommendations, including Agoda, Bubble Pop, Fitbit, Tile Match, and Word Connect. These are the same apps found on the cheaper OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, and finding them on a phone priced around Rs. 30,000 is disappointing. The alternative app store, App Picks, further adds to the clutter by automatically downloading apps without explicit permission from the user. This can be a pain point for those who value a clean and distraction-free Android experience.
The bright spot in the software experience is the commitment to long-term support. OnePlus promises four Android OS updates and six years of security updates, making the Nord 4 a compelling option for those looking for long-term value. This is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy A35 and A55, which currently offer the longest support windows in the mid-range segment.
Performance That Delivers, but Lacks Competitiveness
Powering the Nord 4 is the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, the first Snapdragon 7-series chip to feature on-device AI capabilities. This chipset allows the phone to handle demanding tasks like video editing and graphics-intensive games, such as Genshin Impact without noticeable lag or stuttering.
However, despite the powerful chipset, the Nord 4 fell short of its competitors in some benchmark tests. While the phone performed admirably in graphics tests, it lagged behind the Realme GT 6T (also powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3) and Poco F6 (boasting a more capable processor) in CPU benchmarks. It’s important to remember that benchmark scores aren’t always indicative of real-world performance, and software optimization plays a significant role.
A Reliable Display with a Quirky Feature
The Nord 4 boasts a 6.74-inch Full-HD+ (1,240 x 2,772 pixels) AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 450ppi pixel density. The display offers a vibrant and responsive experience, with sufficient brightness for outdoor use. Interestingly, OnePlus has implemented a feature called "ProXDR" that automatically adjusts brightness and contrast levels, but this can lead to misleading results when sharing images, as the original image doesn’t retain the ProXDR modifications. The feature can thankfully be completely disabled through the Photos app.
Cameras: Solid Performance with Limitations
The OnePlus Nord 4’s camera system is a mixed bag. The 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS and EIS delivers impressive results during daytime shots, capturing detailed images even at 2x in-sensor zoom. However, the 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle camera lacks colour accuracy and exhibits noticeable distortion around the edges.
In low-light scenarios, the main camera and ultra-wide angle camera both handle the darkness well, but there’s a noticeable difference in picture quality. The primary camera captures sharper images with less softening, while the ultra-wide angle camera struggles with image smoothness. The camera app automatically prioritizes a longer exposure shot in low-light conditions, leading to a 2-3 second delay and no option to disable this feature.
The 16-megapixel selfie camera performs well in well-lit environments, but struggles slightly in dimly lit areas. The screen acts as a flash in dark scenarios, providing satisfactory results for those who’re willing to stand still for a bit.
Video recording capabilities include 4K/60fps from the main camera, though image stabilization is only available at 1080p/60fps, with no options for lower resolutions or frame rates. The ultra-wide angle and selfie cameras offer recording at up to 1080p/30fps with no stabilization support.
Battery Life: A Strong Performer with Fast Charging
The Nord 4 houses a 5,500mAh battery that provides reliable day-to-day performance and a minimal standby drain. In real-world use, the phone consistently delivered over six hours of screen time and could easily last for a day and a half on a single charge. The overnight battery drain was minimal, averaging only a 2 percent drop over eight hours.
In our HD video battery loop test, the Nord 4 lasted for an impressive 18 hours and 15 minutes. The included 100W charging brick enables a super-fast charging experience. It consistently took just 33 minutes to fully charge the dual-cell battery without excessive heat buildup.
Verdict: A Strong Contender with Some Software Drawbacks
The OnePlus Nord 4, despite its software inconsistencies, offers a compelling proposition for budget-minded smartphone buyers. It delivers powerful performance, fast charging, a capable primary camera, and a reassuring long-term software support window. The shortcomings lie in the less impressive ultra-wide angle camera and the bloatware that comes pre-installed. However, uninstalling or disabling the unwanted apps can mitigate the latter problem.
While the Nord 4 is worth considering, some competitors deserve your attention. The Realme GT 6T and Poco F6 offer comparable performance, but the Nord 4’s camera performance might be a deal breaker for some users. For those prioritising camera performance, the Samsung Galaxy A35 and the Google Pixel 7a (when found on sale) are also strong contenders.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your priorities. If you’re seeking a phone with a premium feel, reliable performance, long-term support, and fast charging, the Nord 4 ticks many boxes. However, if you’re sensitive to bloatware on your Android device and prioritize consistent camera performance, competitors like the Realme GT 6T and Poco F6 might be more appealing options.
