OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review – My Honest Experience After Purchase

OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review India – A Budget OnePlus Phone That Misses the Mark

📦 Introduction

If you’re searching for a budget OnePlus phone in India with a massive battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 might catch your eye.
After carefully comparing phones in the ₹20K–₹25K price range, I picked the OnePlus Nord CE 5 (256 GB / 8 GB RAM), mainly because of its huge 7100mAh battery claim.
Here’s my honest OnePlus Nord CE 5 review after using it for a few weeks.

🔋 Battery Performance – Overhyped and Underwhelming

The biggest selling point of the Nord CE 5 is its 7100mAh battery, but sadly, this is where it disappoints the most.
Despite the massive number, the real-world performance feels like a regular 5000mAh phone.
With minimal usage, the battery lasts only around 18 hours (one day).
I checked the OnePlus Community forums and discovered that many Indian users report the same issue.
For a phone marketed as a “battery beast,” this is a major letdown.

📱 Design & Build Quality

OnePlus keeps things sleek with a slim, lightweight design that’s easy to carry despite the claimed big battery.

Comfortable one-handed use.
Premium matte finish on the back (but a bit slippery without a case).
Classic OnePlus minimal look.

⚡ Performance & Software

Smooth multitasking thanks to 8GB RAM.
No heating issues in normal use or casual gaming.
Runs OxygenOS, which remains one of the best Android skins for a clean, fast experience.

📸 Camera Quality – Good Only in Daylight

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera performs well only in well-lit conditions or daylight.

Daytime photos are sharp with natural colors.
Indoor or low-light shots are average and often lack detail.
No OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), so night shots can be shaky.

📡 Connectivity & Features

5G support is strong across major Indian networks.
No NFC, which limits contactless payment options.
Fast charging works well, but it can’t fully make up for the disappointing battery life.

✅ OnePlus Nord CE 5 Pros

Slim and lightweight design despite the advertised big battery.
Smooth OxygenOS experience.
Good performance for daily tasks.
Crisp and bright display.

❌ OnePlus Nord CE 5 Cons

Battery backup doesn’t match the 7100mAh claim.
Camera is good only in daylight, weak in low light.
No NFC for tap-to-pay.
Limited upgrades compared to other phones in this price range.

🏁 Final Verdict – Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5?

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a stylish, smooth budget OnePlus phone but falls short where it matters most.
Its battery life is average despite the huge numbers, and the camera struggles indoors or at night.

✅ Buy it if: you want a slim, lightweight phone with clean OxygenOS software.
❌ Skip it if: you need excellent battery backup or strong low-light photography.

💡 My Recommendation
If battery life is your top priority, consider alternatives from iQOO, Realme, or Vivo in the ₹20K–₹25K range.
But if you love the OnePlus ecosystem and can accept its battery limitations, the Nord CE 5 can still be a decent everyday phone.

🔖 Important Note on the IR Blaster

The IR blaster on the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is located inside the rear camera module area (center portion of the camera bump).
👉 Do not purchase or use a back cover that covers or blocks the center of the camera module, as it may interfere with the IR blaster’s function and reduce its ability to control TVs and other devices.

Purchase Link Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VG7YAQ

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