OnePlus Nord CE 4 Review: Affordable Yet Premium Experience

In the crowded mid-range smartphone market of 2025, finding a device that balances affordability with premium features can feel like a quest. Enter the OnePlus Nord CE 4, a smartphone that punches above its weight class. Priced starting at around ₹19,000 (down from its launch price of ₹24,999 due to ongoing promotions), the Nord CE 4 delivers a refined design, snappy performance, and all-day battery life without breaking the bank. But does it truly offer a "premium experience" in the budget segment? In this OnePlus Nord CE 4 review, we'll dive deep into its strengths, shortcomings, and whether it's the right pick for you in 2025.

Whether you're upgrading from an older budget phone or simply hunting for the best mid-range Android phone under ₹25,000, stick around as we break it down section by section.

Unboxing the OnePlus Nord CE 4: Premium Touches from the Start

Right out of the box, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 feels special. OnePlus continues its tradition of thoughtful packaging, including essentials like a 100W SUPERVOOC charger, a color-matched TPU case, a pre-applied screen protector, and documentation. No skimping here—unlike many competitors that force you to buy accessories separately.

Available in Celadon Marble (a stunning seafoam green with pearlescent waves) or Dark Chrome, the phone's back panel mimics natural marble for a premium, 3D-like texture. At 186g and 8.4mm thick, it's slim and lightweight with flat edges that feel comfortable in hand, though the plastic build can get slippery without the included case. The IP54 rating adds basic splash and dust resistance, a step up from its predecessor.

The pill-shaped dual-camera module on the back is modern and unobtrusive, housing the sensors vertically alongside an LED flash. On the top edge, you'll find a handy IR blaster for controlling TVs and ACs— a rare gem in this price range. Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 unboxing sets a premium tone that belies its affordable price tag.

Display: Vibrant and Smooth for Everyday Immersion

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 display is a highlight, featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution (2412 x 1080 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate. Colors pop with 10-bit depth and HDR10+ support, while peak brightness hits 1,100 nits for visibility in direct sunlight. The 93.4% screen-to-body ratio and 20:1:9 aspect ratio make it ideal for streaming Netflix or scrolling Instagram.

With TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and 2,160Hz PWM dimming, eye strain is minimized during late-night sessions. Compared to the Nord CE 3's similar screen, this one feels brighter and more responsive, though it lacks the LTPO tech for adaptive refresh rates found on pricier models like the Nothing Phone 2a.

In short, if you're looking for a vibrant AMOLED display under ₹25,000, the Nord CE 4 delivers without compromise.

Performance: Snapdragon Power for Smooth Multitasking

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (a 4nm chipset with Kryo CPU and Adreno 720 GPU), the OnePlus Nord CE 4 performance is a standout in its segment. Paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM (expandable virtually by up to 8GB) and 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via microSD up to 1TB), it handles daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease.

Benchmark scores? Expect around 700,000 on AnTuTu, putting it on par with the Poco X6. OxygenOS 14 (based on Android 14) is buttery smooth, with fluid animations and minimal bloatware—OnePlus even prompts you during setup to skip extras. Gaming like BGMI or COD Mobile runs at high settings without much throttling, thanks to a vapor chamber cooling system.

That said, heavy users might notice occasional warmth during extended sessions, and it's not a beast like the Snapdragon 8 series in flagships. For most, though, this is premium mid-range performance at an affordable price.

Camera Setup: Reliable Shooter with Room for Improvement

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 camera system keeps it simple: a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor with OIS for stable shots, an 8MP ultra-wide for landscapes, and a 16MP front camera for selfies. No macro lens this time—OnePlus ditched the 2MP gimmick from the CE 3.

Daylight photos are detailed and vibrant, with natural colors and good dynamic range. Portraits nail edge detection, and the OIS shines in low light, reducing blur. Video tops out at 4K/30fps with decent stabilization, though 4K/60fps would have been a welcome addition.

Selfies are sharp, but the ultra-wide struggles with distortion and softer details. Low-light performance is average—colors wash out compared to rivals like the Realme 12 Pro+. AI features like object eraser are fun but inconsistent.

If photography is your priority, it's solid for the price, but not class-leading.

Battery Life and Charging: The Endurance Champ

Here's where the Nord CE 4 truly excels: a massive 5,500mAh battery that lasts 1.5–2 days on moderate use (10+ hours screen-on time). Video playback hits 7–8 hours, and standby drain is negligible. The 100W SUPERVOOC charging is blazing—0-100% in under 30 minutes, a segment first for Nord devices.

Smart Charging 4.0 optimizes habits to prevent overheating, and reverse wired charging lets you juice up accessories. In a world of 5,000mAh norms, this is premium battery life that feels flagship-level.

Software: Clean OxygenOS with Decent Longevity

Running OxygenOS 14 out of the box, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 software emphasizes simplicity with customizable themes, AI tools (like circle-to-search), and always-on display. It's near-stock Android with OnePlus tweaks—no heavy skins like MIUI.

Update promise? Two years of OS upgrades (to Android 16) and three years of security patches. That's standard but lags behind Samsung's four-year commitment on the Galaxy A35. No alert slider, sadly—a OnePlus staple missing from Nord CE series.

Pros and Cons: The Balanced Verdict

Pros:

• Stunning design and build with marble-like finish and included accessories.
• Excellent battery life and ultra-fast 100W charging.
• Smooth performance for multitasking and casual gaming.
• Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display with good brightness.
• Expandable storage up to 1TB and IR blaster.

Cons:

• Average low-light camera performance.
• Plastic frame feels less premium than metal rivals.
• Limited software updates (only two OS versions).
• No NFC or wireless charging.
• Occasional heating during intensive tasks.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Competitors: How It Stacks Up

In the best smartphones under ₹25,000 arena, the Nord CE 4 holds its own. Here's a quick comparison:

The Nord CE 4 edges out on battery and charging speed, but the Nothing Phone 2a offers better cameras and updates, while the Poco X6 dominates gaming. If endurance is key, the CE 4 wins.

Is the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Worth Buying in 2025?

Absolutely— the OnePlus Nord CE 4 lives up to its "affordable yet premium experience" promise for everyday users. Its blend of style, stamina, and speed makes it a smart upgrade from the Nord CE 3 or rivals like the Redmi Note 13 Pro. At current prices around ₹19,000, it's a steal for students, commuters, or anyone tired of battery anxiety.

Who should buy it? Budget-conscious folks prioritizing battery and display. Skip if you need top-tier cameras or longer updates—opt for the Galaxy A35 instead.