The OnePlus Nord N30 5G an intriguing mid-range smartphone boasting a powerful 108MP camera, a spacious 6.72-inch display, and a robust 5,000mAh battery. So is this phone truly stands out as the best mid-range phone in its category.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Nord N30 leans towards simplicity, and I find the all-plastic build perfectly acceptable. Nevertheless, the phone’s back tends to attract dust and fingerprints quite easily. Notably, a capacitive fingerprint scanner is incorporated into the power button, a feature I personally favor over the in-display scanners. I’ve found the scanner to be quite reliable, as I haven’t encountered any issues with its functionality. Additionally, there’s the alternative of using a less secure 2D Face Unlock for those who prefer that option.
Display and Audio Quality
To keep the Nord N30 budget-friendly, OnePlus had to make a significant compromise in its display department. It features a 6.7-inch 1080p LCD screen with a refresh rate of up to 120 hertz, noticeably lacking OLED technology. Despite this, the display holds up well and performs adequately. With a brightness reaching 550 nits and a peak brightness of up to 680 nits, OnePlus claims it’s suitable for use in direct sunlight, although I find that a bit optimistic. Personally, I would have preferred a slightly brighter display.
It Equipped with stereo speakers, the audio quality is good, though not exceptional, yet still commendable. The standout feature is their impressive volume capacity boasts an Ultra Volume mode, aptly labeled as 200 volume, and the numbers support the claim. At maximum volume, it measured 80 decibels, while in Ultra Volume mode, it reached an impressive 88 decibels, nearly doubling the volume. This extra volume comes in handy for activities like watching content, listening to music, or taking speakerphone calls outdoors in traffic. In fact, these speakers rank among the loudest I’ve encountered on a phone.
Software and UI
It’s runs OxygenOS 13.1, and you know what? I actually don’t mind a lot of the software experience. There are like four or five pre-installed OnePlus apps, but I was able to uninstall every single one. It has some special features like resizable floating windows and a sidebar for launching apps or shortcuts which reminds me a lot of what you see on Samsung phones.
There are quite a few customization options as well For example, you can change the shape and size of the icons or even use icon packs downloaded from the Play Store. You can choose from a variety of different transitions when scrolling between home screens too. Additionally, there’s this icon pulled-down gesture, which I think is really cool. Swiping upward on either side of the screen pulls down all the icons, and then you can scrub over to the app you want to open. Just let go, and it’ll launch that app. This feature is completely separate from one-handed mode and makes using a big screen phone like this a little more ergonomic.
I find the Shelf feature to be a little redundant. Why can’t they just let us use these widgets on the home screen like all the other widgets? Additionally, I’ve been getting pop-ups from time to time asking me for location access, which is a little annoying.
Performance
| Phones | Scores |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2022) | 2210 / 4794 |
| Pixel 7A | 1380 / 3071 |
| Galaxy A54 | 1008 / 2797 |
| OnePlus Nord N30 | 896 / 2076 |
The OnePlus Nord N30 is driven by the Snapdragon 695, a processor unveiled in late 2021. Despite benchmark figures that may not dazzle, particularly when compared to other phones in the mentioned lineup, the real-world performance of Nord N30 phone in everyday tasks over the past few weeks has been notably smooth. While there might have been an occasional stutter or a slightly extended loading time for certain apps, nothing significant has led me to question the chip’s adequacy.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that more demanding games, such as Genshin Impact, don’t run optimally on this device. Expect frame rates barely reaching 30 frames per second, even at lower settings. For casual gaming the experience is passable. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that if gaming is your primary focus this may not be the ideal phone for your needs.
Camera
The OnePlus Nord N30 is a phone with a triple camera setup, but its 108-megapixel camera falls short of awe-inspiring picture quality. Daytime shots are passable, but lack vibrancy and appear flat. Striking photos are hit or miss, especially in less-than-ideal lighting or with movement in the frame. Video captures at 1080p and 60 frames per second, but the results don’t stand out. The Pixel models offer a more compelling choice for photography in this price range. Opting for the Pixel 6A or 7A is recommended for those who prioritize photography.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord 30 is a mid-range phone priced at $300, offering features like a headphone jack, expandable storage, and a charger. Its price point makes it attractive for many, but its standout feature is its super loud speakers. Despite a lagging update policy, the OnePlus Nord 30 is a decent option for a mid-range phone. It’s worth trying if you’re tired of Apple, Google, or Samsung and want something different. The phone is priced reasonably, but there are no real deal-breakers.
The OnePlus Nord 30 offers a $300 price point, headphone jack, expandable storage, and a charger, making it a decent mid-range phone with no standout features, despite lagging in update policy.
