OnePlus Nord 4 5G Review: The Ultimate Mid-Range Flagship Killer with Lifetime Display Warranty
The mid-range smartphone market is one of the most competitive segments in the mobile world. Every brand wants to offer premium features at a fraction of flagship prices. Enter the OnePlus Nord 4 5G (Obsidian Midnight, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage) — a smartphone that’s rewriting the rules of what a mid-ranger can deliver. With a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7+ Gen 3 processor, a blazing ANTUTU score of over 1.5 million, OnePlus AI features, and the industry-first lifetime display warranty, this device isn’t just chasing value — it’s creating it.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about the OnePlus Nord 4 5G — performance, design, AI, software, camera, battery, and whether it's the right phone for you.
🔍 Key Specifications at a Glance
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Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7+ Gen 3 (4nm)
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RAM: 8GB LPDDR5X
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Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1
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Display: 6.74" AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
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Battery: 5500mAh with 100W SUPERVOOC charging
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Camera (Rear): Dual Setup (50MP Sony IMX890 + 8MP Ultrawide)
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Camera (Front): 16MP
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Build: Metal Unibody Design
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Special Features: OnePlus AI, Lifetime Display Warranty, In-display fingerprint sensor
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OS: OxygenOS based on Android 14
⚡ Performance: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 Redefines Mid-Range Power
The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip is at the heart of the Nord 4, and it’s the real game-changer here. This 4nm SoC is engineered for flagship-grade performance and it delivers an ANTUTU score of over 1.5 million — putting it ahead of many last-gen flagship chips.
Real-World Use:
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Apps open instantly, multitasking is fluid.
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No lag during high-load tasks like video editing or gaming.
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Background app retention is excellent thanks to 8GB RAM and OnePlus’s RAM Vita optimization.
Whether you're gaming on Call of Duty: Mobile, editing 4K video clips, or just switching between apps, this phone stays cool, smooth, and responsive.
🎮 Gaming Experience: Console-Level Fluidity
With Adreno 732 GPU, the Nord 4 delivers stunning frame rates, even under heavy gaming conditions.
Features gamers will love:
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HyperTouch engine for faster touch response.
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90+ fps support for supported games.
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Advanced cooling system to prevent thermal throttling.
Games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run flawlessly on high settings. The metal frame design also aids in heat dissipation, making long sessions more comfortable.
🖼️ Display: Stunning Visuals Backed by a Lifetime Warranty
The Nord 4 features a 6.74-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, making everything from scrolling social media to watching Netflix an ultra-smooth experience.
Key Display Highlights:
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Peak Brightness: 2150 nits (perfect for outdoor use)
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HDR10+ Certified: Great for streaming
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1 Billion Colors: Vibrant and true-to-life
But what truly sets the Nord 4 apart is the Lifetime Display Warranty — a first in the smartphone world. If your display suffers from burn-in, OnePlus will replace it for free — for life. This level of confidence speaks volumes about the build quality and tech OnePlus has put into this screen.
🤖 OnePlus AI: Smarter User Experience
AI is not just a buzzword here. OnePlus has integrated its AI engine deeply into the OS to improve productivity and customization.
AI-Powered Features:
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AI Eraser: Remove unwanted objects from photos.
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AI Smart Cutout: Isolate subjects for creative social media posts.
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AI Call Summarizer: Real-time voice-to-text conversion with key takeaways.
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AI Warp Charging Optimization: Dynamically adapts charging speeds to preserve battery life.
These features aren't gimmicks — they're useful, intuitive, and blend well with everyday use.
📸 Camera: Flagship Sensor, Simplified Experience
The Nord 4 carries a dual rear camera system, led by a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor, the same sensor used in past OnePlus flagships like the 11R and 11. It’s backed by an 8MP ultrawide camera, while a 16MP selfie shooter handles front duties.
Photo Quality:
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Daylight Shots: Sharp, vibrant, with great dynamic range
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Low Light: Nightscape algorithm delivers bright, low-noise images
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Portraits: Natural background blur with sharp edge detection
The ultrawide isn’t groundbreaking, but it's reliable for landscape and group shots. Video recording supports 4K at 60fps, with stabilization that's smooth and cinematic.
🔋 Battery & Charging: All-Day Power + Lightning Speed
OnePlus packed a massive 5500mAh battery into the Nord 4 — the largest ever in a Nord device. Paired with 100W SUPERVOOC charging, you can go from 1% to 100% in just under 30 minutes.
Battery Life in Real Use:
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Easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days on moderate usage
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Great standby efficiency thanks to OxygenOS optimization
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Intelligent charging prevents overcharging during overnight charging
No wireless charging here — but at this price point and speed, it’s a trade-off most will accept.
🧱 Design & Build: Premium Metal Unibody
OnePlus has returned to its design roots with a full metal unibody design — a rarity in 2025. The Obsidian Midnight finish is sleek, fingerprint-resistant, and feels incredibly solid in hand.
Design Perks:
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Flat edges for a modern aesthetic
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Gorilla Glass protection on the front
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Under-display fingerprint scanner (fast and accurate)
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Slim and light at 8.1mm thickness and ~200g weight
The build is robust and exudes a premium feel that rivals many flagship phones double the price.
📱 Software Experience: OxygenOS at Its Best
The OnePlus Nord 4 runs OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. It's clean, smooth, and bloat-free — a stark contrast to many competitors.
What You’ll Love:
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Three major Android updates
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Four years of security patches
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No bloatware or annoying ads
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Features like Zen Mode, Work-Life Balance, and Private Safe 3.0
It's one of the best Android experiences currently available — smooth, fast, and user-focused.
📶 Connectivity & Extras
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5G Support: Multiple bands for global coverage
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Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4
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Dual SIM support
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Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers
There’s no headphone jack or microSD slot, but the generous 256GB storage should suffice for most users.
🏁 Final Verdict: Is the OnePlus Nord 4 Worth It?
At a price point that stays in the mid-range bracket, the OnePlus Nord 4 5G punches way above its weight. It brings together flagship-level performance, premium build quality, excellent battery life, and meaningful AI features, all while offering a lifetime display warranty — something no other brand provides.
Who Should Buy:
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Power users looking for performance on a budget
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Content creators who want a reliable camera + editing suite
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Gamers who need smooth, long-lasting gameplay
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Anyone tired of bloated UIs and poor software updates
Who Might Skip:
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Those needing wireless charging or IP rating
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Hardcore photographers needing telephoto lenses
⭐ Elektra Home Rating: 9.2/10
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Performance: 9.5
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Display: 9
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Camera: 8.7
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Battery & Charging: 9.5
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Software Experience: 9.3
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Value for Money: 9.8