OnePlus Nord CE 4: A Mid-Range Powerhouse or Just Another Phone?

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OnePlus has long made its name by offering near-flagship features at mid-range prices, and the Nord line is its answer to customers who want strong performance, good cameras, and fast charging—without the premium price tag. The OnePlus Nord CE 4, launched in India in early 2024, aims to push that value proposition further. Let’s explore what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your money.

Design & Display

OnePlus has made some visible changes in the design from the previous generation (Nord CE3), and many are welcome. The Nord CE 4 has a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes the screen feel smooth while scrolling or gaming. Peak brightness reaches 1100 nits for HDR and outdoor visibility, with “high brightness mode” (HBM) around 900 nits. OnePlus+1

An interesting addition is AquaTouch (formerly seen in OnePlus’s higher-end models), which helps with touch responsiveness when your hands or the display are wet. The Times of India+2Gadgets 360+2 The phone also has IP54 rating, meaning it has dust protection and can resist splashes—nice for this segment. The Times of India+1

In terms of build, Nord CE 4 feels slim and relatively light (approx. 186 grams), with flat edges, plastic back, and a new vertical pill-shaped camera module. The material choices may not scream premium, but the phone is comfortable to hold and the finish (especially in the “Celadon Marble” color) is aesthetically pleasing. The Times of India

Hardware & Performance

Under the hood, the Nord CE 4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 8 GB of RAM (in base version) and up to 256 GB of storage. The Times of India+2The Times of India+2 This setup is sufficient for everyday tasks, multitasking, and moderately demanding apps. It handles social media, video streaming, and typical productivity tasks well. Gadgets 360+1

Gaming is decent, but not class-leading. For lighter or medium settings, the Nord CE 4 performs well. However, for high-graphics or very intense gaming, you’ll find some limitations—either in frame drops, heating, or compromises in graphic detail. If gaming is your priority, there are more optimized options in this price bracket. The Times of India+2Gadgets 360+2

On the software front, the phone comes with OxygenOS 14 (based on Android 14). OnePlus promises 2 years of Android version updates and 3 years of security updates. That’s acceptable for many users but not exceptional—some rivals in the same price class are offering longer update windows. The Times of India+1

Camera Capabilities

OnePlus has pared down the number of rear cameras compared to CE3; instead of multiple auxiliary lenses, the Nord CE 4 features:

     

    In daylight and good lighting, the main camera captures crisp detail, good dynamic range, and solid colour reproduction. The OIS helps with stability and low-light shots. However, the ultra-wide lens lags behind: lower sharpness, more distortion, and weaker performance in dim conditions. Night mode helps but doesn’t fully offset the limitations. Gadgets 360+2The Times of India+2

    Video capturing is serviceable but not standout. The phone can record decent 1080p and presumably 4K (depending on the region), but image stabilization, low-light video, and consistency across cameras could be better. Gadgets 360+1

    Battery & Charging

    One of the strongest suits of Nord CE 4 is its battery. It packs a 5,500 mAh cell, which translates into solid usage across a full day and often into the next, depending on how heavily you use it. The Times of India+1

    Charging is fast: 100 W SUPERVOOC charging is supported, which allows the phone to refill very quickly. OnePlus claims full charge from very low battery in under 30 minutes in some cases. The Times of India+1 For many users, this means battery anxiety is greatly reduced. The Times of India+1

    Pros, Cons & Where It Fits

    Here are the high points and the trade-offs.

    What’s Good

       

        1. Fast charging + large battery: perhaps the best combination in the mid-range. Gadgets 360+1

        1. Display quality with 120Hz AMOLED + high brightness, and useful features like AquaTouch. OnePlus+1

        1. Clean software experience with OxygenOS, fewer bloat apps, and useful extras like “auto pixelate” for screenshots. The Times of India

        1. Design & IP rating: design refresh, IP54 rating (splash/dust resistance) adds durability. Gadgets 360+1

      What Could Be Better

         

          1. Ultra-wide camera quality isn’t as strong as main sensor; low-light performance is average for that lens. Gadgets 360+1

          1. Software update guarantee is only 2 major Android versions, which may be limiting for those who keep phones for 3-4 years. Android Central+1

          1. Lack of some high-end features: no alert slider (a feature OnePlus users often like), and the phone is not best in outright performance vs gaming-special mid-range rivals. Android Central+1

          1. Build materials aren’t premium everywhere: plastic back instead of metal/glass for many regions. While functional and lighter, it doesn’t feel as luxury in the hand. The Times of India

        Pricing & Competition

        At launch in India, the OnePlus Nord CE 4’s base model (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) was priced around ₹24,999, while the 8GB + 256GB variant was closer to ₹26,999. The Times of India+1

        In this mid-range space, there are several competitors:

           

            • Poco X6 Pro, which offers stronger raw performance in gaming. Gadgets 360

            • Motorola Edge 40, which may provide better camera, possibly wireless charging etc., but at a slightly higher price. Gadgets 360

            • Realme 12 Pro+, offering premium design touches and camera performance. Gadgets 360

          So the Nord CE 4 must be judged in light of these rivals. If battery, display, and fast charging matter more to you than, say, state-of-art performance in games or longest update support, Nord CE 4 holds up well.

          Verdict: Should You Buy It?

          If I were to sum up: Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is a strong choice for many people, especially those who value a balanced phone: good screen, fast charging, solid battery life, clean UI, and decent camera for everyday use. It gives more “premium-feeling” features than many phones in similar price brackets.

          However, if you are a gamer who wants maximum graphics fidelity, or you expect to keep your phone for 4+ years—especially with OS updates—you might want to compare with phones that offer better raw performance or longer software support.

          Tips for Buyers

             

              • Go for the 256GB version if you can: storage is important, especially since Ultra-wide and video can eat space quickly.

              • Use the fast charger provided, ideally keep battery between ~20-80 % to preserve battery health.

              • Check if the IP54 rating is meaningful for your lifestyle (e.g. outdoor use, near water). It is better than nothing, but not waterproof.

              • Try the “Celadon Marble” finish in person—it seems to stand out for many for its look and texture.

             

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