The OnePlus Nord CE 4 made waves in the mid-range smartphone market last year. It checked most boxes when it came to value, but its weak spot was the camera system—especially in low light. Now, a year later, we’re getting our first real look at its successor, the OnePlus Nord CE 5. Leaks are starting to roll in, and it looks like OnePlus is making some calculated changes, particularly under the hood.
Display
According to fresh leaks from SmartPrix, the Nord CE 5 will sport a 6.7-inch flat OLED display with a 1080p resolution. That’s pretty much identical to the Nord CE 4, so if you liked that screen, nothing to worry about here. It’s a good size for media consumption, gaming, or just scrolling endlessly on social media. No word yet on the refresh rate, but expect at least 120Hz, as that’s become a standard in this range.
Audio
Here’s a bit of a curveball: the Nord CE 5 is rumored to feature a single speaker setup. That’s a step back from the stereo speakers on the Nord CE 4, and honestly, it’s a surprising decision. For anyone who enjoys streaming videos or gaming without earphones, this could be a slight letdown. Maybe OnePlus is saving cost for better performance elsewhere?
Performance
The biggest change is in the engine room. Instead of going with Qualcomm, OnePlus is said to be switching to MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 chip, which is built on a 4nm process. This chip is expected to offer strong performance and better power efficiency. The Nord CE 5 will reportedly come with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. That’s solid for multitasking, gaming, and long-term storage needs.
Also worth mentioning is the hybrid SIM tray. You’ll either be able to use two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card for extra storage. That flexibility is a nice bonus, especially for users who travel or store lots of files locally.
Camera
If you were hoping for a camera upgrade, you might be disappointed. The leaks suggest the Nord CE 5 will stick with the same camera hardware as its predecessor. That includes a 50-megapixel Sony LYT600 or IMX882 main sensor, an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 ultra-wide lens, and a 16-megapixel front camera for selfies.
While the hardware stays the same, there’s still hope that OnePlus has made some improvements to image processing. After all, the biggest complaint with the CE 4 was its low-light performance, not necessarily the sensors themselves.
Battery
While not the focus of this particular leak, earlier reports hinted at some major improvements in the battery department. That’s great news if you’re someone who needs your phone to last through long days without a charge. With a more efficient processor and likely software tweaks, we can expect better battery life overall.
Launch
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is expected to launch in May in India. That’s just around the corner, so we can expect more details, official renders, and possibly pricing leaks to surface soon. For now, the Nord CE 5 is shaping up to be a balanced performer with an emphasis on efficiency and everyday use.
FAQs
What chipset will the Nord CE 5 use?
It will use the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor.
Does it have stereo speakers?
No, the Nord CE 5 has a single speaker setup.
What are the camera specs?
Same as CE 4: 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 16MP selfie.
Is there expandable storage?
Yes, via a hybrid SIM + microSD card slot.
When will the Nord CE 5 launch?
It is expected to launch in May in India.
