The OnePlus Nord 2, additionally referred to as the “flagship killer,” has some spectacular specs and performs nicely all spherical.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
OnePlus calls its model new Nord 2 the “flagship killer,” and I get why. This telephone has spectacular specs, performs nicely and when paired with an affordable beginning worth (solely £399 right here within the UK), it is designed to supply every part you’d want from a telephone with out emptying your checking account. A robust processor, a stable twin rear digital camera setup, 5G connectivity, tremendous quick charging — and it isn’t unhealthy to take a look at both. Read extra: OnePlus Nord 2 vs. Nord vs. Nord CE vs. OnePlus 9: Comparing OnePlus’ newest phonesLike the earlier Nord — and the cheaper Nord CE, launched just some weeks again — the Nord 2 is not going to be on sale within the US. It’s destined for the UK and wider Europe, the place it will value £399 for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or £469 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For reference, £399 converts to about $540 or AU$740. But no, it would not actually “kill” any flagships. It’s not as highly effective as a “true” flagship just like the iPhone 12 Pro Max or S21 Ultra, nor will its digital camera expertise entice the world’s most demanding photographers. The flagship that I really feel is most in danger is OnePlus’s personal 9 collection, which shares many options with the Nord 2, but has a a lot greater beginning worth of £629 ($729).
I’ve spent a brief period of time with the Nord 2 forward of its unveiling, and listed here are the 5 issues I like most about it. A robust MediaTek processor OnePlus has usually used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line of processors for its telephones however it went with MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200-AI chip for the Nord 2. You’ll discover completely no distinction in use — it is the identical as some other Android telephone — however you’ll discover that it is surprisingly highly effective for the worth. While it isn’t up there with the iPhone 12 Pro Max when it comes to benchmarks, it did beat the Pixel 5 and wasn’t far under the dearer OnePlus 9. It’s definitely highly effective sufficient for gaming, picture enhancing and video streaming and navigating across the Android 11 interface is easy and stutter free. The OnePlus Nord 2 homes a strong processor, a twin rear digital camera setup, 5G connectivity and tremendous quick charging.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Android 11 software program The Nord 2 runs Android 11 at its core, over which OnePlus has slapped its typical Oxygen software program. I actually like OnePlus’s software program because it’s neat, simple to make use of and would not try to load the telephone up with too many bundled providers and bloatware. As a outcome, the telephone stays nippy and trouble-free for longer. It’s notably necessary on decrease and midrange telephones that may not cope as nicely with being slowed down by providers. The outcome here’s a telephone with easy efficiency that I count on to stay for a while to return. OnePlus says it is assured to get a minimum of two years of Android upgrades — so an replace to Android 12 this fall and Android 13 subsequent yr is a given — with a further yr of safety updates after that. The OnePlus Nord 2 runs Android 11 software program.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Incredible quick charging The Nord 2 has the identical 65-watt quick charging seen on the OnePlus 9 collection and it is wonderful. It’ll take the telephone from empty to full in solely about 30 minutes, which makes it wonderful for giving it a fast enhance earlier than you head out from residence. The 4,500-mAh battery ought to nonetheless offer you a day of use from a cost, however when you may recharge so rapidly, battery life turns into considerably much less of a problem. Even higher is {that a} 65-watt quick charger comes within the field, so that you needn’t scour Amazon for one. What the telephone would not have is wi-fi charging, however I do not see that as a specific downside. The OnePlus Nord 2 has speedy charging with 65-watt assist.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Vibrant, sharp show The Nord 2’s show measures 6.43 inches and boasts a decision of two,400×1,080 pixels, which is ample to make tiny textual content look good and sharp. It’s an AMOLED panel, making it extraordinarily vibrant too: nice for movies, photographs or enjoying no matter colourful sport is at the moment making the rounds on the Google Play Store. It has a 90Hz refresh fee which is a contact decrease than the 120Hz of the OnePlus 9 collection, however I doubt you’d be capable of inform any actual distinction in day-to-day use. It’s silky easy when scrolling across the interface, however you too can flip it right down to a extra common 60Hz, which can apparently assist save battery life. The major cameras on the OnePlus Nord 2 are a 50-megapixel lens mixed with a 8-megapixel super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Decent rear cameras We have not achieved our full suite of digital camera checks but, however what we have seen from the cameras to this point appears to be like good. The major sensor is a 50-megapixel affair — the identical one seen within the OnePlus 9’s ultrawide digital camera. Outdoor photos look well-exposed, with loads of element and natural-looking colours. OnePlus Nord 2 out of doors digital camera take a look at, normal lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
OnePlus Nord 2 out of doors digital camera take a look at, normal lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
OnePlus Nord 2 out of doors digital camera take a look at, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
OnePlus Nord 2 out of doors digital camera take a look at, normal lens with 2x digital zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 8-megapixel super-wide lens is noticeably much less detailed, however it too appears able to capturing handsome out of doors photos. There’s an on-screen choice for 2x zoom however there is not a zoom lens, in order that 2x relies on digitally cropping the shot. Results nonetheless look good, however it’s price maintaining in thoughts that you just will not get most high quality doing this. There’s additionally technically a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor, which is completely pointless for my part as a photographer. If you need handsome black and white photos, use the common digital camera and apps like Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed to have full management over changing to mono. Frankly, I really feel OnePlus may have pulled this out and lopped one other 20 quid or so off the worth. OnePlus Nord 2 specs
Display measurement, decision, refresh fee
6.43-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (2,400×1,080 pixels), 90Hz
Pixel density
410ppi
Dimensions (Inches)
6.25×2.88×0.32 in.
Dimensions (Millimeters)
158.9×73.2×8.25 mm
Weight (Grams)
6.66 oz; 189g
Software
Android 11
Camera
50MP (major), 8MP (wide-angle), 2MP (mono)
Front digital camera
32-megapixel
Video
4K
Processor
MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor
Storage
128/256GB
RAM
8/12GB RAM
Fingerprint reader
No
Battery
4,500 mAh
Price
In-display
Connector
USB-C
Headphone Jack
No
Special options
5G-enabled, 65W quick charging, 90Hz, twin stereo speaker, face unlock
Price (USD)
Approximately $540 (transformed from UK worth)
Price (GBP)
£399
Price (AUD)
Approximately AU$740
Discover the newest information and finest evaluations in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cell specialists.