Image credit: https://www.oneplus.com/uk/oneplus-nord-4

Why the Nord 4 Still Matters in 2025

The OnePlus Nord 4 made its debut in mid-2024, riding a wave of expectations and critical scrutiny. Yet, here we are in 2025, and it still deserves a serious look. That’s because it didn’t just tick the boxes—it carved out new ones. OnePlus shook things up with an all-metal unibody design, stepping away from the usual glass-on-glass aesthetic most smartphones cling to. It wasn’t just about looks; it was about identity.

Now that the tech world is buzzing about the Nord 5 and its successors, the Nord 4 might seem like yesterday’s news. But for anyone shopping for a mid-range phone in 2025—whether you're upgrading from a three-year-old budget phone, or just need a reliable backup with flagship vibes—the Nord 4 offers tremendous value and enduring appeal.

Making Mid-Range Exciting (Again)

The biggest hurdle any mid-range smartphone faces today isn’t the spec sheet. It’s the perception problem. Most buyers expect compromises: a sluggish chip, mediocre cameras, or a display that falls flat outdoors. It’s hard to impress when flagships are doing cartwheels with AI features, periscope cameras, and folding screens.

For the Nord 4, the challenge was even tougher. OnePlus needed to maintain its “flagship killer” reputation while staying under £500. The question: could it offer that near-premium experience without veering into overhyped gimmickry or bland cost-cutting?

Response: OnePlus Nord 4's Well-Balanced Comeback

Design & Display — Metal That Matters

You can instantly tell the Nord 4 is something different. OnePlus embraced an aircraft-grade aluminium unibody that feels cool to the touch and rock-solid in the hand. It's slim at 7.99mm and lightweight without feeling cheap. This design alone sets it apart in a world of glossy plastic imitators.

The 6.74-inch AMOLED display is a feast: 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 10-bit colour, and a dazzling peak brightness of 2,150 nits. That means outdoor viewing is flawless, colours are rich, and scrolling feels effortless. Whether you’re binging Netflix, doomscrolling Twitter, or smashing buttons in Genshin Impact, this panel delivers.

Performance & Day-to-Day Use — Snapdragon Snappiness

Don’t be fooled by the mid-range label. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor delivers flagship-adjacent performance. Paired with 12 or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, this phone is a beast.

Apps open instantly. Gaming is smooth even in graphics-intensive titles. Benchmarks aside, the real joy comes from the consistency—whether you're editing photos, multitasking, or watching live streams, the Nord 4 never skips a beat. It's the kind of phone you forget is "mid-range" until you look at the receipt.

Battery & Charging — Endurance Meets Speed

A generous 5,500mAh battery powers the Nord 4, making it one of the more long-lasting phones in its class. Casual users can expect up to two days of use, while power users can comfortably hit the 6-hour screen-on-time mark.

And when it runs low? The 100W SUPERVOOC charging steps in like a superhero. You’re back to 100% in roughly 30 minutes. No wireless charging here, but with wired speeds this fast, you won’t miss it.

Camera Capability — More Hit Than Miss

Photography is where many mid-range phones cut corners—but not here. The Nord 4 boasts a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main camera with optical image stabilisation. It captures crisp, vibrant shots in daylight, handles contrast beautifully, and even holds its own in low-light scenarios thanks to decent post-processing.

The 8MP ultra-wide is less impressive—a bit soft on detail and prone to warping. Still, for casual group shots or wide landscapes, it's serviceable. The 16MP selfie camera? Pretty decent, though it tends to smooth skin even with beauty filters off.

Overall, this is a camera system that will serve 90% of users well, with solid social-media-ready results.

Software & Longevity — OxygenOS Done Right

The Nord 4 ships with OxygenOS 14.1 atop Android 14. It’s clean, fast, and devoid of bloat. The UI feels lighter than Samsung's One UI, and more user-friendly than Xiaomi’s MIUI.

And here’s the kicker: OnePlus promises three major Android updates and six years of security patches. That’s longevity few brands can match at this price point. Plus, fan-favourite features like the alert slider and robust theme customisation give it an edge in usability.

Result: The 2025 Verdict

So, should you still buy the OnePlus Nord 4 in 2025? Absolutely. While newer models might pack extra bells and whistles, the Nord 4 nails the fundamentals and wraps them in a truly premium shell.

You get top-tier performance, a dazzling display, marathon battery life, decent cameras, and the peace of mind of long-term updates. And now that it’s often on sale below its original £429 price tag, it’s become an even more compelling deal.

Pros at a Glance:

Sleek, durable aluminium design
Bright and responsive AMOLED display
Powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset
Huge 5,500mAh battery with 100W charging
Clean OxygenOS interface with long-term support
Solid main camera with OIS

Cons to Consider:

Mediocre ultrawide and selfie cameras
No wireless charging
Metal back may not appeal to all tastes

Final Thoughts

The OnePlus Nord 4 isn't a phone that chases trends. It sticks to a well-executed formula: give users what matters, skip the fluff, and wrap it all in a stunning package. In 2025, that formula still works brilliantly.

OnePlus Nord 4 in 2025: The Mid-Range Marvel That Refuses to Grow Old