OnePlus Nord CE4

The OnePlus Nord CE4 is the 2024 entry in the "Core Edition" branch of OnePlus's Nord range, and its published specifications read like a checklist of what a value-minded buyer might ask for: a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, a 5,500 mAh battery, 100W SUPERVOOC charging with the charger in the box, and a 50MP Sony main camera with optical image stabilization. This review is based on the published specifications and on OnePlus's own specification and product pages for India, where the phone was marketed. Performance, battery and camera statements are presented as the manufacturer's claims, not as independent measurements.

Where it sits in the lineup

The Nord CE4 belongs to the Nord series, which OnePlus positions below its numbered flagships such as the OnePlus 13. Within the series, the Nord CE line is the more affordable branch, while the main Nord line, represented by the OnePlus Nord 4, adds a metal body and a higher-end feature set. OnePlus India's launch page ran a promotion that closed on 1 April 2024, and the specification page lists a manufacturing date of April 2024. OnePlus did not publish an official on-page launch date on the pages consulted, so the release date used for this entry is the announcement window rather than a verified on-sale date. Later models in the same line include the OnePlus Nord CE5 and the OnePlus Nord CE6. The only price on the official pages is Indian: 24,999 rupees for 8GB with 128GB and 26,999 rupees for 8GB with 256GB, both inclusive of taxes, and no US price was published there, so none is given here.

Design and display

OnePlus lists the phone at 162.5 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm and about 186 g, which is a typical size for a 6.7-inch phone. The two colours shown on the product page are Celadon Marble, a pale green with a marbled pattern, and Dark Chrome, a metallic grey. The cameras sit in a vertical pill-shaped module on the back, with circular rings that give the phone a recognisable look. The pages consulted give no IP rating for the Nord CE4, so none is claimed here; buyers who need water resistance should look for confirmation in their own market before purchase.

The display is a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, which works out to 394 pixels per inch and an aspect ratio of 20.1:9. The refresh rate goes up to 120Hz, and touch sampling is quoted at up to 240Hz. OnePlus gives a high-brightness mode of 900 nits and a peak of 1,100 nits, plus 2160Hz PWM dimming, which is meant to reduce flicker-related eye strain at low brightness. The panel supports 10-bit colour, the sRGB and Display P3 colour spaces, HDR10+ and Amazon Prime Video HDR, and it carries a TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification. For the price range, this is a strong screen on paper, with an OLED panel, a high refresh rate and a high peak brightness figure. Audio comes from dual stereo speakers with Hi-Res support, and the spec sheet notes a standard USB-C earphone connection rather than a 3.5mm jack.

Performance and software

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is an upper mid-range chip, paired here with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Storage can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 1TB, but the card shares the hybrid slot with the second SIM, so a buyer must choose between dual SIM and extra storage. OnePlus also lists a virtual RAM feature that can add 4GB, 6GB or 8GB on top of the physical 8GB; that extension borrows from storage and is best treated as a convenience for keeping apps in memory, not as extra performance. The company quotes a TÜV SÜD 48-month fluency rating at grade A, which is a laboratory test of software smoothness over time and not a guarantee of how any single phone ages. No benchmark numbers are published and none are invented here.

The phone runs OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. OnePlus's disclaimer states at least two generations of Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates from the launch date, which is shorter than the multi-year pledges of some rivals but in line with many mid-range phones. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, aptX HD and LDAC, and an infrared blaster that lets the phone act as a remote control, a feature that has become rare. The fingerprint reader sits under the display and uses an optical sensor.

Camera

The main camera is a 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, electronic stabilization and phase-detection autofocus. The second camera is an 8MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide with a 112-degree field of view and an f/2.2 aperture. There is no telephoto lens; zoom from 0.6x to 20x is digital for photos. The front camera is 16MP with an f/2.4 aperture and fixed focus. Video recording on the rear camera reaches 4K at 30 frames per second, with 1080p at up to 60 frames per second, and there are slow-motion modes at 120 frames per second in 1080p and 240 frames per second in 720p. A dual-view video mode records with the front and rear cameras at the same time.

OIS on the main sensor is a meaningful point for this price class, as it helps with low-light stills and steadier video. The two-camera setup is conventional, so shoppers who rely on optical zoom or a macro lens will find nothing of the kind here. As always, image quality depends on tuning, and independent camera tests are the better guide than a spec sheet.

Battery and charging

The battery is the headline of the Nord CE4. OnePlus lists a typical capacity of 5,500 mAh, built as two 2,750 mAh cells, and a 100W SUPERVOOC charging system. The box includes a 100W adapter and a USB-C cable, so the fast-charging speed is available without a separate purchase, in the markets where the full box is sold. OnePlus also lists a Battery Health Engine intended to slow battery ageing. The charging cable is USB 2.0 in the box. The company's launch material calls this the fastest charging in a Nord phone, which is a comparison within its own range. There is no wireless charging, which is typical at this level. Real-world endurance depends on screen brightness, refresh rate and network conditions, and no runtime figure is published on the pages consulted.

Who it is for

The Nord CE4 suits buyers who want a big, smooth OLED screen, a strong battery with very fast charging and a clean software experience at a mid-range price. It is a reasonable choice for streaming, social media, navigation and casual gaming, and the IR blaster and microSD slot are practical extras. Those who want a telephoto camera or a more premium metal build might look at the Pixel 9a or step up to the Nord 4. Further comparisons are available on the rankings page.

Compromises to consider

The main trade-offs are the absence of a dedicated IP rating on the consulted pages, the lack of a telephoto lens, the shared SIM and microSD slot, the USB 2.0 speed of the port and the modest software support window compared with some competitors. The 8MP ultrawide is a basic sensor, and there is no wireless charging. The specification lists only 8GB of physical RAM, so heavy multitaskers should not count on the virtual extension to make up for it. Finally, the pricing information is Indian only, and availability, colours and bundled accessories can differ elsewhere, so it is worth checking the local listing.