OnePlus Nord 3 5G Review; Upping the Ante
INTRODUCTION:
The OnePlus Nord series has revolutionized the smartphone market by providing blockbuster capabilities at a mid-range point. The OnePlus Nord 3 5G builds on this history, offering users a sleek design, powerful performance, and a feature-rich experience that belies its low price.
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| OnePlus Nord 3 5G Review; Upping the Ante |
The Nord 3 5G faces high expectations as the successor to the well-received OnePlus Nord 2. With increased market rivalry, OnePlus needed to ensure its current offering stood out. So, does the OnePlus Nord 3 5G live up to the excitement and expectations that its predecessor established? Let's take a look and find out in this in-depth review.
DESIGN:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G has a clean and modern appearance, with a glass back finish and lightweight aluminum alloy frame that provides a quality feel without adding unnecessary weight at 193.5 grams. The phone is easy to hold, thanks to its 8.1mm slim profile and well-designed curves and corners that feel natural in the hand.
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| Alert Slider |
OnePlus has chosen an in-display fingerprint sensor that is both quick and accurate, even with the pre-installed protective plastic film. The volume rocker is on the device's left side, while the power button and distinctive OnePlus Alert Slider are on the right.
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| Sides |
The bottom edge houses the USB 2.0 Type-C connector, speaker grille, microphone, and SIM card slot. Meanwhile, the top holds the other speaker grille and microphone, as well as the IR blaster sensor.
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| Misty Green |
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G comes in Misty Green, which is quite a beauty. However, the glossy celadon 2.8D silk glass on its back is a bit smudge and fingerprint magnet. There is no free case in the package, so you have to get one for added protection. As of this writing, it is hard to find a case for Nord 3 5G, but you can easily find one for OnePlus Ace; the case fits perfectly as the two devices have exact dimensions and rear camera positions.
See Also: OnePlus Buds Pro 2 with Spatial Audio Launches in PH for Only Php9,990
DISPLAY:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G's display is a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels. The screen has vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles, making it ideal for browsing, gaming, and video watching. The display also supports HDR10+ content, which provides rich and dynamic graphics when viewing supported content.
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| 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED 2K+ Display |
The display's 120Hz refresh rate is one of its most notable characteristics, ensuring smooth scrolling and a more responsive touchscreen experience. This is most obvious when scrolling through social media feeds or playing fast-paced games. In order to save battery life, the display also has an adaptive refresh rate, which adapts the refresh rate according to the information being seen.
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G screen sits flat within the bezels and is protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, which offers good scratch and drop resistance. The display also offers an always-on mode that allows users to rapidly check the time and notifications without having to fully wake the device.
SOFTWARE:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is powered by OxygenOS 13.1, which is based on Android 13. OxygenOS is noted for its simple and user-friendly design, which provides consumers with a near-stock Android experience. The software includes a plethora of customization options, allowing users to personalize the look and feel of their device.
OxygenOS 13 also has various beneficial features, such as the professional-Life Balance mode, which allows users to segregate their professional and personal apps for a more focused and organized experience. The firmware also includes the new Canvas AOD function, which transforms your lock screen into a personalized work of digital art based on the photo you choose.
OnePlus has a solid track record with software upgrades, and we are happy to announce that the Nord 3 5G is the first device in the series that is confirmed to receive security patches for 4 years as well as three years of major software Android updates. This dedication to software support means that users will have a secure and up-to-date experience with the device throughout their time with it.
PERFORMANCE:
The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset powers the OnePlus Nord 3 5G, which is quite a competent and efficient processor. It is about 43% CPU and 59% GPU higher performance compared to its predecessor. This is combined with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM plus up to 12GB of RAM-Vita (dynamic) and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, allowing for seamless multitasking and fast app loading times. The Nord 3 5G handles duties well in everyday use, and even demanding games operate smoothly on this smartphone.
The integrated 5G connectivity is one of the features of the Dimensity 9000, ensuring that the OnePlus Nord 3 5G is future-proofed and ready for the expanding 5G networks. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 are also supported, guaranteeing quick and stable wireless connectivity.
For reference, here are the OnePlus Nord 3 5G benchmark results.
- Antutu - 925,767
- Geekbench Single-Core - 1,083
- Geekbench Multi-Core - 3,268
- Geekbench Compute - 5,643
- PC Mark Work Performance 3.0 - 11,085
- PC Mark Work Storage 2.0 - 15,678
- 3D Mark Wild Life -7,244
- 3D Mark Wild Life Stress Test - 7,305
- 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme - 2,347
- 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test - 2,342
- 3D Mark Sling Shot - Maxed Out
- 3D Mark Sling Shot Extreme - Maxed Out
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G also has an improved cooling mechanism, which aids in keeping the smartphone running at ideal temperatures during extended gaming sessions or heavy multitasking. This maintains steady performance and keeps the gadget from overheating. It can handle almost any game you throw at it, from demanding titles like Genshin Impact, Mobile Legends, Call of Duty, and PUBG Mobile to casual games like Candy Crush Saga.
Aside from gaming, the OnePlus Nord 3 is an excellent phone for everyday use. It is fast, responsive, and can handle any work you throw at it, from web browsing to movie watching to photo editing.
Also Read: OnePlus Pad Arrives with Dimensity 9000 and 9,510mAh Battery.
CAMERA:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G's camera configuration is led by a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro lens. The primary module, which is the same as the one found in OnePlus 11 5G, has phase-detection autofocus with both OIS and EIS support, which takes images that are detailed and vivid, with a wide dynamic range and near-true colors. The 112-degree field of view of the ultra-wide lens allows users to capture more of the landscape in a single image, sadly, it is a fixed-focus one.
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| 50MP Triple Camera |
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G performs brilliantly in low-light environments thanks to its Nightscape feature. This mode combines many exposures to produce a single, well-lit image with less noise and greater detail. While it cannot match with the top low-light performers on the market, it is impressive for a device of this price.
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| 16MP Front Camera |
The front-facing camera is a 16MP sensor with f/2.4 aperture that produces clear, well-exposed selfies. The camera app also contains portrait mode effects and filters, allowing users to get creative with their images.
Camera Samples:
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| Temple of Leah, Normal |
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| Temple of Leah, Ultrawide |
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| Sirao Garden, Normal |
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| Sirao Garden, Ultrawide |
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| Selfie |
More camera samples can be found here.
The Nord 3 5G supports 4K video recording at 30fps for the rear camera and 1080p video recording at 60fps for the front-facing camera, with electronic image stabilization providing smooth and steady footage.
BATTERY:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is powered by a 5,000mAh dual-cell battery, which should last most users all day. The smartphone should easily last a full day with casual usages, such as surfing, messaging, media consumption, and light to moderate gaming. Heavy users, especially those who indulge in extended gaming sessions or 5G usage, may need to top up before the day is done.
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| 80W SUPERVOOC Charger |
The Nord 3 5G includes OnePlus' 80W SUPERVOOC technology, which ensures fast charging times. The gadget can be charged from 0% to 100% in roughly 35 minutes using the supplied 11V by 7.3A charger, making it extremely useful for those who require a quick top-up during the day. Moreover, we are happy to report that if you have older SUPERVOOC charger/s from realme and OPPO, they work just fine too!
FINAL WORDS:
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is a strong mid-range handset that offers a flagship-like experience at a lower asking price. It's an appealing option for those searching for a well-rounded smartphone without breaking the bank, thanks to its elegant design, brilliant display, fluid performance, and capable camera arrangement.
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| OnePlus Nord 3 5G |
While it may not be the best in every category, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G provides a well-rounded and entertaining experience that is difficult to match in its pricing range. If you're looking for a mid-range handset that prioritizes design, performance, and value, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G should be on your shortlist.
How much is the OnePlus Nord 3 5G price in the Philippines?
- The OnePlus Nord 3 5G Price Philippines is Php29,990
- OnePlus Nord 3 5G on Lazada Philippines.
- OnePlus Nord 3 5G on Shopee PH.
When will be the OnePlus Nord 3 5G available in the Philippines?
- The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is now available since July 21, 2023.
OnePlus Nord 3 5G Specifications:
- Dual NanoSIM, dual standby, supports 5G connectivity
- 6.74-inch 2K+ (2772 x 1240 pixels) Fluid AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, Dragon Trail Glass protection
- Dimensions: 162mm x 75.1mm x 8.2mm
- Weight: 193.5 grams
- IP54-certified, dust and splash resistant
- OxygenOS 13.1 based on Android 13
- Octa-core (1x3.05GHz Cortex-X2 + 3x2.85GHz Cortex-A710 + 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) CPU, Mali-G710 MC10 GPU, Mediatek MT6983 Dimensity 9000 4nm chipset
- 16GB LPDDR5X physical RAM + 12GB RAM expansion
- 256GB UFS 3.1 internal storage, non-expandable
- 50MP f/1.8 PDAF OIS EIS Sony IMX890 1/1.56-inch main + 8MP f/2.2 112-degree ultrawide + 2MP f/2.4 macro triple rear cameras with LED flash, 4K video recording at 60fps, gyro-EIS
- 16MP f/2.4 front camera, 1080p video recording at 30fps, gyro-EIS
- Multimedia Player
- Stereo speakers
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, triple-band
- NFC
- Infrared
- Bluetooth v5.2
- GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
- USB 2.0 Type-C with OTG function
- Sensors: fingerprint (optical, under-display), accelerometer, light, proximity, gyroscope, compass, color spectrum, alert slider
- Battery: 5,000mAh Li-Po, non-removable; supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast wired charging
- Colors: Misty Green
- OnePlus Nord 3 5G Price Philippines: Php29,990