OnePlus Nord CE 4 review
The Nord CE 4 suits someone who values a smooth, responsive display and extremely fast charging on a lightweight frame, and who doesn't prioritize gaming or photography. Anyone shopping in 2024–2026 should look at what current-gen rivals offer at the same price, as the chipset and camera age show in direct comparison.
This review is based on OnePlus’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the OnePlus Nord CE 4, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Nord CE 4 is a 2021 upper-midrange phone with a 90Hz Fluid AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 750G chip, and snappy 100W charging that reaches full battery in under 30 minutes. For its age and €250 price, it punches above its weight on the display and charging front, though the camera is workmanlike and there's no expandable storage to future-proof it.
Design & Build
The Nord CE 4 feels lightweight and thin at 170g and 7.9mm, sitting comfortably in one hand without the brick-like heft of many mid-range rivals. The glass front and plastic frame and back keep costs down, and that trade-off is honest—it doesn't feel cheap, just purposeful. The 6.43-inch body slots between compact flagships and everyday phablets, landing in a sweet spot for one-handed reach. Nano-SIM dual setup covers dual standby but no physical SD card slot, which matters later.
Display
The 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED with 90Hz refresh is where this phone genuinely shines. Scrolling through apps and feeds feels smooth, and the AMOLED blacks give dark content real punch without backlight glow. The 1080p resolution at 410 ppi is tight enough that text doesn't look jagged in everyday use, though it's noticeably softer than sharper 1440p screens if you hold it close. No official peak brightness spec, but outdoors visibility is solid without being exceptional for its year. For a 2021 phone at this price, the display is a legitimate strength.
Performance
The Snapdragon 750G with Adreno 619 is a capable mid-range chipset that handles everyday apps, social media, and light gaming without stutter. An AnTuTu score of 318,672 puts it in the comfortable-but-not-quick tier for 2021. Demanding games like Genshin Impact will run on lower settings, and you'll see the limits in CPU-heavy tasks or intensive video work. For scrolling, messaging, photo editing, and typical Android use, it's more than enough. The gap between this and true flagships is real but not dramatic for non-gamers.
Software
It ships on Android 11 with OxygenOS 13 and is upgradable to Android 13, keeping it current enough for 2024 standards. OxygenOS is lightweight and close to stock Android—no bloat or aggressive notification spam like some skins. Updates matter for security and longevity, and OnePlus has typically supported mid-range devices for two to three major versions, though nothing is guaranteed. For a 2021 phone still in circulation, software support is past its prime but not yet abandoned.
Camera
The 64MP main sensor with f/1.8 and PDAF captures good detail in daylight and handles low light better than cheaper phones, though dynamic range can be crushed in bright mixed scenes. The 8MP ultrawide at 119 degrees is serviceable for landscape shots but trades sharpness for breadth—typical of this class. Video maxes at 4K 30fps with gyro-EIS, which is steady but not cinematic. The 16MP selfie is functional but unremarkable. There's no telephoto or macro hero here; the camera system is a workhorse, not a showpiece, which is fair for the price and year.
Battery & Charging
The 4500 mAh cell yields about a full day of mixed use with moderate screen time, and lighter users might push into a second day. The standout is the 100W SuperVOOC charging, which hits full in roughly 20–30 minutes from empty—genuinely fast and practical for daily life. That speed requires the supplied USB-C adapter, so losing it is a real inconvenience. The charging hardware is one of the Nord CE 4's best features and a reason to consider it if quick top-ups matter to your routine.
Value & Verdict
At around €250, the Nord CE 4 is now several years old, and the market has moved on: newer €250 phones have faster chips, larger batteries, and more cameras. However, if you find one in stock, the combination of a genuinely smooth AMOLED display, rapid charging, and no bloat-heavy software still holds water for someone who doesn't chase gaming or camera performance. The lack of expandable storage is a missed opportunity for future-proofing, and the camera won't impress anyone coming from a recent flagship. It's a solid mid-ranger from its era, but age matters; compare it carefully against current-gen alternatives in your market before buying.
Verdict
The Nord CE 4 suits someone who values a smooth, responsive display and extremely fast charging on a lightweight frame, and who doesn't prioritize gaming or photography. Anyone shopping in 2024–2026 should look at what current-gen rivals offer at the same price, as the chipset and camera age show in direct comparison.
- 90Hz Fluid AMOLED display with punchy blacks and smooth scrolling feel
- 100W SuperVOOC charging reaches full battery in under 30 minutes, among the fastest wired speeds available
- Lightweight and thin (170g, 7.9mm) without feeling flimsy, good one-handed ergonomics
- Clean OxygenOS with minimal bloat, close to stock Android
- No expandable storage; base 128GB fills quickly with apps and video
- Snapdragon 750G is aging; newer €250 phones now have significantly faster mid-range chips
- Camera is functional but uninspired; no telephoto, ultrawide is soft, limited in challenging light
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2021, June 10 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio), Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | SuperVOOC up to 100 W |
| Software | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
OnePlus Nord CE 4 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Nord CE 4 support 5G?
Yes. The Nord CE 4 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Nord CE 4 use?
The Nord CE 4 runs on the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm).
What display does the Nord CE 4 have?
A 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density).
How big is the Nord CE 4 battery?
The Nord CE 4 has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at SuperVOOC up to 100 W.
Does the Nord CE 4 have NFC?
Yes, the Nord CE 4 has NFC.
Does the Nord CE 4 support a microSD card?
No, the Nord CE 4 does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the Nord CE 4 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Nord 4
Nord CE4 Lite 5G India
Nord 2T
Ace 5 Racing
Galaxy M36 5G
