After spending time with both OnePlus Nord 4 and the new Nord 5, we have seen for the first time how OnePlus Mid-range smartphone keeps shaking the market.

Nord 4 left a real impression with its bold design and battery life, while Nord 5 feels like a phone that is focusing more on other areas – especially display and selfie camera.

But with each phone taking a different approach, which gives a really better experience? How is here OnePlus Nord 5 And OnePlus Nord 4 Piles in our experience.

Pricing and availability

The OnePlus Nord is 5, but surprisingly, more inexpensive for both, coming at £ 399 for the entry-level 256GB model. It is currently available to buy after its release in early July 2025.

On the other hand, the Nord 4, is slightly more expensive with the RRP of £ 429 for the 4, 256GB model – although as it is one year old, it is often available at discount. Now that Nord 5 is available, it is possible that the remaining stock of retailers at the price will continue to fall as shift.

design

The design of Nord 4 actually stands in the sea of cohesion of the middle-line.

The all-metal unibody feels premium and strong, and the Etched Mercurial Silver Finnish is contrary to anything we use at this price. This is a phone that feels that it can knock something, and we found that every time we pick it up, every time we lift it, every time we appreciate the solid, assured. At 200G and 7.99 mm thick, it is not the lightest, but it seems enough in hand.

Switching to Nord 5, we have to accept that we were a little disappointed.

The design is clean and minimalist, but it struggles to stand out as a result. Gone two-tone back, is replaced by a single color, and with a combination of flat edges, flat screen and a vertical camera alignment, it can be wrong for a Samsung or Sony. It is slightly larger and heavy (211g, 8.1 mm thick) and Nord 4 is not the same appearance.

The new plus key on Nord 5 is a good touch, which provides more flexibility than the old alert slider – even though this writer personally recalls it – although we want it to be adaptable as Apple’s action button.

Other elements, such as safety, are quite consistent, both IP65 offer with dust and water resistance; However, Nord 5 takes the lead with advanced Gorilla Glass 7i Protection.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 4

Pistol

Performance is where the Nord 5 actually shines. The 6.82-inch, 144hz amoled panel is a game-shineer, especially if you love gaming or just want the most smooth possible experience. Scrolling and animation feel incredibly liquid as a result, and we were really impressed that a mid-range phone could beat some flagship in terms of fresh rate.

Additional screen space is great for multitasking and video to watch, and 1800nit peaks meant that we had no trouble in excluding it. 1.5K resolution also helps to keep everything good and faster.

He said, 6.74-inch of Nord 4, 120Hz Amoled Panel is still a pleasure to use. It is sharp, vibrant, and also brighter to HDR materials, at the peak on 2150nits. The bezels are thin, and with a close 1.5k resolution, we never felt less change using day-to-day.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 5

Camera

Camera Tech is an area where there are significant benefits from year to year. Nord 5 has a 50mp selfie camera, hands down, best we have used on a mid-range phone. The expansion and colors are fantastic, even in low light, and we really want to take ourselves more selfies – something that we rarely say.

The main camera is also one step above, a big 1/1.56-inch 50MP main rear camera (similar is the same. OnePlus 13!)) It catches more light and saves vibrant, wide shots whether we were out in the sun or shoot at night.

The camera setup of Nord 4 is compared to, just fine. The 50MP main sensor (1/1.95-inch) gets work, and the colors look natural, but it can struggle with a difficult lighting and as a result does not give the same wow factors to the same Nord 5.

The 16MP is decent with a selfie camera, but after using Nord 5, it is clearly one step down.

Both phones also sports 8MP ultravide, but neither is a standout in terms of expansion or dynamic range.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 5

Display

Performance is a strong point for both phones, but Nord 5 is a more future proof option.

Snapdragon 8S General 3 3 chipset offers solid performance that was considered a flagship just one or two years ago, and we never experienced recession or accidents as a result of gaming or multitasking. The 144Hz refresh rate helps in this regard, everything simply helps to feel that small snapier.

Nord 4’s Snapdragon 7+ gene 3 is still very capable, and we found it fast and liquid in daily use, although it is starting to fall behind the 2025 mid-range market.

Both storage and RAM options are generous, up to 512GB and 16GB-free, of course-but if you want full best performance, Nord 5 is an easy option.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 5

Software and AI

Oxygenose experience is one of our favorite out of Android’s stock approach, and it is available on both OnePlus-branded smartphone.

Nord 5 ships with oxygenos 15 based on Android 15, and we appreciate the more comfortable approach of OnePlus for AI than some rivals. Features such as AI Summary and AI Speak are actually useful without infiltrating, and Mind is an interesting way to use Jenai to store space notes and other memories.

Oxygenos on Anubhav Nord 4 are very similar after updates from 14 to 15 to 15, although it lacks support for major new features such as Mind Space.

Nord 5 wins when it comes to long -term support, offering a six -year OS upgrade and security patch compared to a six -year security patch for four OS upgrades and Nord 4. Looking at Nord 4, an upgrade has already been received, which means it will reach Android 18, while Nord 5 will eventually get Android 21.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 5

battery life

Battery life is the place where the old Nord 4 actually shines. The 5500mAh cell is a powerhouse; We regularly meet through two days on the same charge with moderate use, and even heavy days left us a lot in the tank.

Charging is faster with 100W wired support, although you will need to buy a supercoke charger separately.

The 5200mAh cell of Nord 5 is one step below, and the charging is slow at 80W, but we have still managed a specially busy day of 40% leftover use. There is no wireless charging, but both are able to get you through a day.

Winner: OnePlus Nord 4

final thoughts

After using both OnePlus Nord 4 and Nord 5, it is clear that each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Nord 4 provides something that sounds unique, strict and remains on a charge forever. On the other hand, Nord 5 claims the best performance, best selfie and fastest performance in Nord line.

If you design, battery life and a phone that stands out, then the Nord 4 remains a great option after a year of release – and also a cheaper.

He said, if you want a phone that really feels next-jewelery in terms of display and camera, then Nord 5 is a clear upgrade. Just more general design and a little step back in the battery should be known.

If you are curious about how they compare the competition, take a look at the selected list from our hand Best mid-range phone,