The OnePlus Nord 2 is everything you would expect from a modern day phone. At least according to OnePlus. But they do have a point, because for this price you get quite a lot of phone in return. What exactly and how much OnePlus is asking we would like to explain here.
Where is the progress?
OnePlus set the bar pretty high with the original Nord. It turned out to be a phone with all the popular specifications for a low price. This OnePlus Nord 2 follows the same recipe, although in terms of specifications it even looks like a step backwards. Still, that's too short of a leap. Because the things that OnePlus leaves out from the Nord 2, we can easily do without. Think of a second selfie camera and the useless macro camera on the back. The trade-in of the Qualcomm processor for a MediaTek copy is more sensitive. OnePlus claims higher performance, but in reality, both models hardly differ.
Finitely larger camera sensor
The two biggest advantages of the Nord 2 are the new camera and fast battery charging. The 48MP camera has been swapped for a 50MP one. OnePlus does not do that for those few extra pixels but for a considerably larger camera sensor. The larger it is, the more light it captures, and the better exposed your photos will be. Especially the night mode benefits from this. It has been significantly improved and given a new name; Nightscape Ultra. The sensor still features optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper shots.
Main OnePlus Nord 2 Specifications
6.43-inch AMOLED screen with smooth 90Hz animations
50+8+2MP camera with ultra-wide-angle, mono lens and 4K video
Single 32MP selfie camera recognizes and optimizes up to 5 faces
MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor with 6, 8 or 12GB RAM
128 or 256GB of fast UFS3.1 storage memory (not expandable)
5G and 4G internet support
Dual speakers for stereo sound
4500 mAh battery with 65W Warp Charge
Extra fast charging
The 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED screen still has a high 90Hz refresh rate and features fingerprint recognition. Sound comes from 2 speakers and is stereo. The battery is slightly larger with 4500 mAh but can be charged much faster this time. With no less than 65 Watt you can charge the battery of the Nord 2 in 15 minutes enough for a whole day of use. Officially, it is still not waterproof but OnePlus has taken measures to survive an unfortunate dove into the deep end. All in all, this Nord 2 5G will once again make things awkward for the competition.
OnePlus launches a special edition of the Nord 2 that is based on the classic game PacMan. For example, the housing features luminous ink and the interface contains various features of the iconic game.
Who hasn't played Pac-Man? But before we start going all nostalgic, first something more about this special collaboration between OnePlus and Bandai Namco. The latter is better known as the publisher of Pac-Man. The game in which a smiley face has to eat all the dots and in the meantime has to avoid all kinds of ghosts. 41 Years after the release of the game, there is now the OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Limited Edition.
We are talking about a Nord 2 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage but with some special features and of course a matching look. Most striking amongst them is the back with phosphorescent ink. This makes the device light up in the dark after which the famous maze becomes visible. The ink is trapped in a special layer which also gives some extra depth to it.
Price OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition
We also find some references to Pac-Man in the interface. You can find several games, challenges and you can find hidden content. More than enough to keep you busy for several hours. The price of the Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition starts at € 529 and will be available soon.
OnePlus has announced the Nord 2 5G. According to OnePlus it is a significant upgrade in terms of charging, cameras and performance. Although you wouldn't say that purely by looking at its specifications. And that makes the Nord 2 primarily a phone that we have to explain to fully understand.
If you compare the bare specifications of the OnePlus Nord 2 with the Nord, you will see little difference. Both phones even look the same. There are some external differences but they do not seem to be in favor of the Nord 2. For instance there are 2 cameras missing; one on the back and another one on the front. Even the Qualcomm processor is gone and has been swapped by a MediaTek chipset.
50MP Sony IMX766
Still, OnePlus says the Nord 2 5G is a significant upgrade. That starts with the main camera on the back. The 48 megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor has been swapped for a 50 megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor. Although both have optical image stabilization, the camera of the Nord 2 has larger pixels of 1.0µm and is therefore more sensitive to light. Up to 56% according to OnePlus. Especially the night mode benefits from this and gets an upgrade with the name 'Nightscape Ultra'.
Nightscape Ultra example using the OnePlus Nord 2
MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI
Another big difference is the processor. OnePlus is opting for a different vendor this time around. Inside, we find the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 AI. This has 5G support and has more support for artificial intelligence. In tests, the Dimensity 1200 AI does score slightly better than the Snapdragon 765G from the original Nord so do expect some better performance.
Warp Charge 65
The third big difference is the speed at which you can charge the battery. That goes up significantly; from 30 to 65 Watt. A full charge takes just 30 minutes. The battery capacity also goes up, from 4115 to 4500 mAh and is thus in line with the flagships the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro
Snelladen met Warp Charge 65
Many other beloved features have remained the same such as the spacious Fluid AMOLED screen with high 90Hz refresh rate and built-in fingerprint scanner. Still missing though is the headphone port though this time you do get dual speakers for stereo sound with your Nord 2.
The new Nord will be in stores from July 28 and prices start from 399 euros. Available colors are Blue Haze and Gray Sierra. Storage memory ranges from 128 to 256 GB in size.
Not the Nord CE but this Nord 2 seems to be the successor of the original OnePlus Nord. It isn't yet official but we do have some press images. The biggest difference is not visible though; it's found inside.
The OnePlus Nord 2 looks very similar to the first Nord but gets a different camera module on the back. Two large sensors are accompanied by a smaller one, bringing the total to 3. Possibly the separate macro camera will be dropped just like what happened to the Nord CE.
Our first look at the OnePlus Nord 2
The screen size comes out to 6.43 inches which is more or less the same as the original Nord. It is obvious that this is once again an AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Gone is the dual selfie camera. Instead, there is a single selfie camera of presumably 32MP in the top left corner.
MediaTek Dimensity 1200
The biggest changes are probably inside the Nord 2. The battery capacity is reportedly going up to come out at 4500 mAh. And the processor is also different and possibly even from a completely different vendor. That would be a shame, because the Nord main advantage was its reasonably powerful Qualcomm processor with low price. The Nord 2 is expected to get a Dimensity 1200 chipset from MediaTek. This is a high-end chipset whose performance in practice we will have to wait and see.
No expense was spared to make this video about the OnePlus Nord 2 5G. Where does the device and the idea behind it actually come from? Be amazed and watch this 9 minute video
Jurgen from Coolblue briefly explains his first impression of the OnePlus Nord 2 5G in this video! Does it bring a smile to his face or not?
