The OnePlus Nord 2 is official. Here’s everything we know about the phone, including a look at its specs, features and pricing.
OnePlus has launched the Nord 2 (or Nord 2 5G if you want the full name) and it comes packed with a lot of interesting specs and features. The device has clearly taken a lot of inspiration from the firm’s pricier phones, especially the OnePlus 9 and it is one of the best cheap phones around.
The OnePlus Nord 2 is a strong device, with an excellent camera, top-drawer performance and good software. We’ve spent a few weeks with the device, so check out our OnePlus Nord 2 review for the full run-down as how it performs both in real-world tests and a number of benchmark situations.
Price and release date
OnePlus Nord 2 5G is now available to order through Amazon, OnePlus itself and a number of UK carriers.
Pricing for the OnePlus Nord 2 starts at £399/€399 for the base version with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. This version comes in ‘Blue Haze’ and ‘Gray Sierra’ and will be available through O2, Three, John Lewis, Amazon and directly through OnePlus.
On O2, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G will be available from £10 upfront on a Pay Monthly tariff. For £29.99 per month users will get 5GB of data as well as all of the minutes and texts they need. It’s also possible to flex data allowances up and down.
On Three, the tariffs are slightly different and not quite as attractive. You’ll need to pay £19 up front and £25 a month. For this you’ll get 1GB of data to accompany the unlimited texts and minutes.
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If you want more storage and RAM, the £469 model gives you 12GB RAM and 256G storage. This only comes in ‘Gray Sierra’ and will be available through Amazon, John Lewis and OnePlus
You can see some of the latest prices in the deals section below.
There is no US availability for the OnePlus Nord 2 and it looks like it will skip this region completely. Considering the original Nord missed the US, this isn’t much of a surprise.
Specs and Features
While it is certainly affordable, the Nord packs plenty of higher-end specs. The phone is powered by the Dimensity 1200 AI chipset from MediaTek, a change from the usual Qualcomm silicon used in all previous OnePlus phones.
This is a 5G chip and OnePlus says it offers a 65% faster CPU and 125% faster GPU than the original OnePlus Nord. There are also some AI benefits here, including SDR to HDR converting and various shooting modes in the camera.
That chipset is paired with either 8 or 12GB RAM and 128 or 256GB of storage. Unlike some of the cheaper Nord phones, there’s no expandable storage here so choose wisely. There is a dual SIM tray though, both of which are 5G capable.
On the back of the phone there’s a number of cameras. The main camera is a Sony IMX766 (the same as the ultra wide on the OnePlus 9) with a 50MP sensor, OIS and improvements to low-light performance.
Next up there’s an 8MP ultra wide with a 119.7-degree field of view and finally a monochrome sensor. On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera with a feature designed to cram more faces into your shots. OnePlus has ditched the dual front camera it debuted on the first Nord.
Charging speeds have also felt more important to OnePlus than actual battery life, so it’s no surprise the Nord 2 has the same Warp Charge 65 charging as the OnePlus 9. It also has the same split-battery design that allows the 4500mAh cell to fully charge in about 35 minutes.
The display is a 6.43-inch OLED panel, with a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. It’s a flat panel, like the OnePlus 9, and has a 1080p resolution.
Software
OxygenOS 11.3 is the operating system of choice here and OnePlus has promised two years of major Android updates (so Android 12 and whatever comes next year) and three of security updates.
Design and colour options
In European markets, the Nord 2 will ship in both a blue and a grey colour. Other regions will likely get different options and we could also see more arrive on these shores throughout the product lifecycle. OnePlus has, in the past, done special edition or limited run colours.
The back of the phone has a matte finish on the glass, while the rims are plastic with a shiny look. There’s no IP rating, nor the capability for wireless charging.
Trusted Take
This price point is where OnePlus really shines. While I do like the brand’s pricier, flagship device I have preferred it when OnePlus releases cheaper devices with impressive specs and features.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
