The mid-range smartphone market in India is no longer a battleground; it’s a full-blown war zone. Just when we thought we had seen it all, OnePlus dropped the OnePlus Nord CE 5 5G with a spec sheet that sounds like a typo: a 7100mAh battery in a phone that doesn’t feel like a brick.
Starting at ₹22,999, the Nord CE 5 (Core Edition) aims to bring the “Fast and Smooth” experience to the masses. But let’s be real—OnePlus has been playing a dangerous game lately, balancing between its “Never Settle” roots and the “Oppo-ification” of its software. Is this 2026’s ultimate budget champion, or is that massive battery just a distraction from average cameras? The real truth is, you might be surprised by where this phone actually shines.
1. QUICK SPECS TABLE
| Feature | Specification |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex (4nm) |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1430 Nits Peak |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Sony LYT-600 (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 16MP Sony IMX480 |
| Battery | 7,100mAh (Silicon-Carbon Technology) |
| Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC (Charger in box) |
| Software | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) |
| Weight/Thickness | 199g / 8.17mm |
2. DESIGN & BUILD (Deep Dive)
OnePlus has pulled off a minor miracle here. Usually, any phone with a battery over 5000mAh starts feeling like a power bank with a screen. But the Nord CE 5 5G uses Silicon-Carbon battery technology, allowing it to pack 7100mAh into a chassis that is only 8.17mm thick.
- In-Hand Feel: At 199 grams, it’s well-balanced. It’s not “light,” but it doesn’t strain your wrist during long Instagram scrolling sessions.
- Build Material: The back is high-quality polycarbonate (plastic), which OnePlus has cleverly finished to look like glass. The Marble Mist variant is a fingerprint magnet, but the Black Infinity version has a nice matte texture that hides smudges well.
- The Alert Slider? Sadly, the signature Alert Slider is still missing on the CE series. You’ll have to dig into settings to mute your phone, which remains a “sore point” for OnePlus purists.
3. DISPLAY & VISUALS
The 6.77-inch Super Fluid AMOLED panel is one of the brightest in this segment. OnePlus claims 1430 nits of peak brightness, and our outdoor tests confirmed it stays perfectly readable even under the harsh Delhi afternoon sun.
- Colors: Deep blacks and vibrant colors are a given. It supports HDR10+, making Netflix and YouTube sessions a treat.
- Aqua Touch: Borrowed from the flagship OnePlus 12, this tech allows you to use the screen even if your fingers or the display are wet. Great for checking maps during a rainy commute.
- Bezels: They are remarkably slim, giving it a nearly full-screen look that rivals phones costing ₹40,000.
4. PERFORMANCE & GAMING/USAGE
Under the hood lies the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex. Don’t let the “MediaTek” name fool you; this chip is a monster for the price.
- Daily Tasks: Apps open instantly. With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the phone easily keeps 15-20 apps in memory without breaking a sweat.
- Gaming: We tested BGMI and Genshin Impact. In BGMI, you can hit a stable 120 FPS on Smooth settings. After 45 minutes of gaming, the phone did get warm (around 42°C), but it never reached the point of thermal throttling.
- Software: OxygenOS 15 is clean, but let’s be honest—it’s essentially ColorOS with a different font. The good news? No bloatware. You won’t find “Hot Apps” or “Hot Games” folders here.
5. CAMERA PERFORMANCE
The camera is where the “Core Edition” shows its budget constraints. It’s a dual-camera setup—no useless 2MP macro sensors here (thank you, OnePlus!).
- Main Sensor (50MP Sony LYT-600): In daylight, it’s excellent. The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) works wonders for shaky hands. Colors are slightly boosted but look great for social media.
- Low Light: The dedicated Night Mode is decent. It pulls in enough light, but you’ll notice some graininess in the shadows.
- The Ultra-wide (8MP): It’s okay for daylight landscapes, but don’t waste your time using it at night. The details drop off significantly.
- Video: It supports 4K at 60fps, which is rare at this price point. The stabilization is solid for vlogging.
6. BATTERY & ENDURANCE (The MVP)
This is the reason you’re buying this phone. The 7100mAh battery is, quite simply, ridiculous.
- Real World Usage: On a heavy day (4 hours of 5G, 2 hours of gaming, and constant WhatsApp), I ended the day with 40% battery remaining. For a light user, this is easily a 3-day phone.
- Charging Speed: Despite the massive capacity, the 80W SUPERVOOC charger is fast.
- 0% to 50%: 28 minutes.
- 0% to 100%: 59 minutes.
- Battery Health: OnePlus claims the battery will stay “healthy” for 4 years of daily use before you see a significant drop in capacity.
7. THE COMPETITION: Nord CE 5 vs The World
OnePlus Nord CE 5 5G vs Redmi Note 15 Pro vs Realme 16 Pro+
| Criteria | Nord CE 5 5G | Redmi Note 15 Pro | Realme 16 Pro+ |
| Price (Base) | ₹22,999 | ₹24,990 | ₹27,999 |
| Battery | 7100mAh (Winner) | 7000mAh | 5500mAh |
| Camera | Good (Simple) | Excellent (200MP) | Great (Telephoto) |
| Performance | Dimensity 8350 Apex | Dimensity 7400 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Software | Clean (Winner) | HyperOS (Feature rich) | Realme UI (Customizable) |
Winner: If you value battery and clean software, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is the king. If you want the best camera zoom, go for the Realme 16 Pro+.
8. FINAL RVERDICT
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 5G is the most “practical” phone of 2026. It solves the biggest problem we have with modern smartphones: battery anxiety.
Read More : Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G
Buy it if:
- You are a heavy traveler or gamer who hates carrying a power bank.
- You want a clean, ad-free software experience.
- You want a phone that feels premium but doesn’t cost a fortune.
Skip it if:
- You are a serious mobile photographer (The ultra-wide and selfie cams are just average).
- You absolutely need the Alert Slider.
- You want dual stereo speakers that are “loud” (the single bottom-firing speaker is just okay).
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
9. FAQs (People Also Ask)
1. Does OnePlus Nord CE 5 5G support an SD card?
Yes, it features a hybrid SIM slot, allowing you to expand storage up to 1TB using a MicroSD card.
2. Is the 80W charger included in the box?
Yes, unlike Samsung or Apple, OnePlus still provides the 80W SUPERVOOC adapter and the signature red cable in the box.
3. Does it have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
No, the 3.5mm jack has been removed. You will need a Type-C to 3.5mm dongle or Bluetooth earphones.
4. How many Android updates will it get?
OnePlus has promised 2 years of major Android updates (up to Android 17) and 3 years of security patches.
5. Is it waterproof?
It has an IP65 rating, meaning it can handle dust and splashes of water, but do not submerge it in a swimming pool!
