OnePlus Nord CE 2 review – cheapest OnePlus is more expensive!

OnePlus has redesigned the cheapest model in the series for 2022. How good is the OnePlus Nord CE 2 according to our review?

A premium sauce in an affordable package. This is how you can describe the OnePlus Nord series. You can decide for yourself how premium it really is. The Chinese tech company usually works with beautiful materials, has slick software on the smartphones and the hardware is often perfectly fine. Last year we had the OnePlus Nord CE for a review. This time it’s his successor’s turn. Still as good for a competitive price?

Let’s talk about the price right away. Where the Nord CE proposed in 2021 was sold for a competitive € 299, it is different with its successor. Call it inflation adjustment. Blame shortages in the supply chain. The fact is that you have to pay more for the cheapest OnePlus. The price is namely € 359. A significant price increase of 60 euros. That is really decent if you are talking about a budget smartphone. Unfortunately. What more do you get for that money compared to its predecessor?

You mainly get a more powerful smartphone. But honestly it is. OnePlus has provided the Nord CE 2 with a facelift. Better processor, better camera, faster charging. Consumers just need to do more. deal with it? That is ultimately up to you. In addition, it is the thinnest OnePlus to date with a thickness of only 7.8 mm. It is the thinnest OnePlus since the 6T. Let’s take a look at the specs.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G review – Specifications

The new OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, as the device is called in full, is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor. The phone has 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM (depending on location) and 128 GB of storage. The storage can be expanded up to 1 TB via microSD. The battery has a capacity of 4,500 mAh. In terms of battery, no changes compared to the predecessor. What is new is the possibility of 65W fast charging with cable. Wireless charging is not going to happen.

Camera

The camera setup is also new. Behind is a striking island, consisting of a 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP combination. On the front is the 16 MP selfie camera. The 3.5mm headphone jack has remained. Quite rare on smartphones in 2022 and something OnePlus is proud of. Check out the performance of the cameras in the gallery below.

OxygenOS version 11 is preinstalled on this OnePlus. OxygenOS 12 will be available for this device in the second half of this year. OnePlus assures you of two years of Android updates and 3 years of security updates.

OnePlus Nord CE price

The brand is launching the Nord CE 2 5G in the colors Gray Mirror and Bahama Blue. The combination of 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage costs € 359. You can place a pre-order from 3 March. The sale will start on March 10. The brand sells the phone through its own webshop, Amazon.com and various retail partners.

Should you buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G?

The all-encompassing question of this review is whether you should buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. Frankly, the price increase is significant and that is in the way of this phone. You have to pay 20 percent more compared to its predecessor. That comparison is not entirely fair, because the 299 euro version of the Nord CE 2021 has 6 GB of RAM, this 8 GB of RAM. The 8 GB RAM cost 329 euros. But that cheap 6 GB variant no longer exists with the new Nord CE 2 5G.

The competition must show in 2022 whether OnePlus will get away with that price increase. If other brands start selling comparable smartphones for a sharper price, OnePlus has been seen. You have to find the 3.5mm input, the 65W fast charging and OxygenOS important points to understand the USP of this phone. Otherwise you are also fine with a Xiaomi, for example, Samsung or OPPO. Or what about a OnePlus Nord 2 5G for just a few bucks more?