A near-winner smartphone held back by two missteps

The OnePlus Nord 5 largely delivers, but a spec-sheet lagging behind rivals leaves room for improvement

- Sahil Bhalla

I'd like to rephrase the famous phrase "two steps forward, one step back" to "many steps forward, two crucial steps back." That sums up OnePlus' latest mid-range beast, the Nord 5 (₹29,999). OnePlus has had a remarkable few years, launching powerful flagships like the OnePlus 12 and 13 series. Meanwhile, the Nord lineup has built a reputation for delivering solid value—often challenging even OnePlus' own cut-down flagships like the 13R.

The Nord 2, 3, and 4 were all standout mid-range phones. With the Nord 4, OnePlus introduced a bold new all-metal design. With the Nord 5, however, they've reversed course—ditching the unique design and ceding some ground on specs to rivals like the Poco F7. These are the two crucial steps back that slightly mar an otherwise excellent device.

SAFE, BUT STILL PREMIUM

While the Nord 5 loses the all-metal construction of the Nord 4, its new glass-back design doesn't feel any less premium. It comes with a matte finish and in-glass pattern in the Marble Sands colourway. If you prefer a cleaner look, there are also Dry Ice (Blue) and Phantom Grey (Black) options.