On 8th July 2025, OnePlus launched two fresh additions to its Nord lineup in India—the OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE 5. These phones are built with a clear aim: to bring high-end features and clean user experience to the mid-range category. Both offer powerful internals, long battery life, and OxygenOS 15 out of the box, but they target different users.

Let’s break it down feature-by-feature and see which one might make more sense for you.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Key Specs At a Glance

Pricing Strategy: Competitive but Calculated

OnePlus is clearly trying to hit two different price segments here. The Nord 5 starts at ₹31,999, placing it in direct competition with devices like the iQOO Neo 9, Realme GT 6, and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. On the other hand, the Nord CE 5 is aimed at buyers who don’t want to spend over ₹30,000 but still expect a reliable smartphone experience.

The launch offers also help. A ₹2,000 discount with select bank cards makes both devices more affordable, especially for students and first-time buyers. In a price-sensitive market like India, this can be a big nudge in the buying decision.

But pricing alone isn’t enough anymore. OnePlus knows this—which is why it focused heavily on performance and user experience.

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Performance Review: Snapdragon vs Dimensity

Nord 5: Solid Performance That Doesn’t Overheat

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 powering the Nord 5 is a smart choice. It’s not as expensive as the 8 Gen 3, but still offers strong CPU and GPU performance. Whether you’re editing videos on CapCut, switching between Instagram, Chrome, and Gmail, or playing BGMI on high settings—this phone doesn’t stutter.

What really sets it apart is the Cryo-Velocity cooling system. This is the same cooling tech used in OnePlus’ premium phones, and it keeps temperatures under control even during extended gaming sessions or video rendering.

Nord CE 5: Balanced But Not for Gamers

The Dimensity 8350 Apex on the CE 5 is not slow—but it isn’t made for high-performance tasks either. It works well for everyday use: calls, Zoom meetings, YouTube, and scrolling through Reels. But if you’re a heavy multitasker or play resource-intensive games, you’ll notice some frame drops or slowdowns under pressure.

That said, for users looking for a stable phone under ₹28,000 with long battery life and a great display, this chipset does the job.

Display Quality: Flagship-Like Panels on Both

Nord 5: Best-in-Class Mid-Range Display

With a 6.83-inch AMOLED screen, 144Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,800 nits brightness, the Nord 5’s display is clearly built for people who consume a lot of content. HDR videos on Netflix or YouTube look vibrant, and the 144Hz refresh rate adds fluidity to the overall UI.

It’s also great for reading outdoors, thanks to its high brightness levels and excellent contrast.

Nord CE 5: Slightly Lower Specs, Still Great Value

The CE 5 comes with a slightly smaller 6.77-inch AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate, but it’s still bright at 1,400 nits. Whether you’re streaming IPL highlights or binge-watching shows, the experience feels premium at this price point. For most users, the display will not be a dealbreaker.

Camera Setup: Same Lenses, Different Experience

Nord 5: High on Selfies, Moderate on Rear

The rear camera setup includes a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The daytime images are sharp, colors are natural, and OIS helps in low-light shots. But it’s basically the same camera as last year’s Nord 4, which might not sit well with users expecting an upgrade.

Where it truly shines is in front camera quality—the 50MP Samsung JN5 sensor supports 4K 60fps video recording, making it a top choice for vloggers and video creators.

Nord CE 5: Consistent Performance

It uses the 50MP Sony LYT-600 as the primary sensor with OIS. Paired with an 8MP ultra-wide and 16MP selfie camera, it offers dependable performance for everyday users. Shots are good in daylight, but low-light performance takes a hit, especially from the front camera.

This is more of a “good-enough” setup for its price than a photography powerhouse.

Battery Life & Charging: Strongest Feature for Both Phones

This is where both phones shine in real-world usage.

The Nord CE 5 has a massive 7,100mAh battery, easily giving you 2 days of mixed usage. For users who are mostly on WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram, this phone barely needs a charger on day one.

The Nord 5 isn’t far behind with its 6,800mAh unit. Both phones support 80W fast charging, which takes the phone from 0 to 100% in under 50 minutes.

In an age where many phones drop charger support or use smaller batteries to cut costs, OnePlus is giving Indian users what they truly care about—battery that lasts.

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AI Features: Actually Useful or Just Buzzwords?

Both phones come with OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, and include new AI-powered tools that don’t feel gimmicky.

Here are a few real-use examples:

• AI Call Summarizer: After a call, it summarizes key points (especially helpful for business users).
• Smart Photo Enhancement: Uses AI to detect and improve photo quality automatically.
• App Prediction & Smart Suggestions: Learns your usage patterns and places relevant apps at the right time.

These features may seem small, but over time, they add to a smoother experience. And unlike some rivals, OnePlus keeps things clean and bloatware-free—a big plus for Indian buyers who hate spammy notifications and ads.

Build, Durability & Extras: Practical Additions

• Nord 5 uses a plastic frame with a premium matte finish and an IP65 rating for better dust and water protection.
• Nord CE 5 has a polycarbonate body, lighter in hand, and an IP54 rating—less protection, but expected at its price.

Both phones include:

• IR Blaster (control ACs, TVs, etc.)
• Dual speakers
• 5G support
• Side key customization on Nord 5
• In-display fingerprint on CE 5

For the price, OnePlus has included most features that actually matter to Indian users.

Should You Buy One?

If you’re still thinking about which one suits you, here’s a quick guide:

✅ Choose Nord 5 if:

• You play games or run heavy apps daily
• You value camera quality, especially for selfies
• You want premium features without paying ₹40K+

✅ Go for Nord CE 5 if:

• You want long battery life and smooth software
• You use your phone mainly for social media, calls, and light gaming
• You need a solid mid-range phone under ₹30,000