Smartphones · Ranked #61 of 82 · Best for fast midrange screen

OnePlus Nord 5

78
Mixed
Average of 7 professional reviews
4 of 7 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 7 reviews landedRange 70–95
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 78.3 · 6 printed, 1 estimated · printed scores only: 78

OnePlus Nord 5Image: OnePlus

7 professional reviewers tested the OnePlus Nord 5, and 4 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and performance. Most common complaint: battery life.

Reviewed by Expert Reviews, Tech Advisor, Trusted Reviews and 4 more

The catch: Cameras are average, and it has no clear edge over rivals.

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What 7 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 95
    Expert ReviewsThe outlet's top rating, counted as 95 · Hands-on review · 2025

    Outstanding speed, a lovely 144Hz screen and record battery life make it a standout, though cameras and software support lag.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  2. 80
    Tech AdvisorHands-on review · 2025

    An elegant mid-ranger with good hardware and polished AI-focused software, though some downgrades from the Nord 4 and cheaper rivals like the Poco F7 weaken its value case.

    Read Tech Advisor review
  3. 80
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2025

    A very enjoyable mid-ranger with a fine selfie camera, smooth 144Hz gaming and good software.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  4. 70
    TechRadarHands-on review · 2025

    An affordable powerful phone, but it is questionable whether it improves on the Nord 4 and rivals like the Poco F7 offer more.

    Read TechRadar review
  5. 70
    Tom's GuideHands-on review · 2025

    A powerful phone with a gorgeous screen, but it regresses from the Nord 4 in several ways, making it hard to recommend.

    Read Tom's Guide review
  6. 70
    The VergeHands-on review · 2025

    Powerful and long-lasting, but other midrange phones offer faster chips and bigger batteries, leaving it without a clear selling point.

    Read The Verge review
  7. 83est.
    The IndependentNo printed score · Buying guide

    Chosen as the best phone for selfies thanks to an excellent 50MP front camera that even helps in low light.

    Read The Independent review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

What critics praise most

Picture quality5 of 7
Performance5 of 7
Value for money4 of 7

What critics dislike most

Battery life2 of 7
Software and app2 of 7

Other smartphones critics rate highly

Oppo Find X9 UltraImage: Oppo
Best overallOppo Find X9 Ultra5 reviews · critics agree94
Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxImage: Apple
Best for cameras and speedApple iPhone 18 Pro Max6 reviews · critics agree91
Apple iPhone 17Image: Apple
Apple iPhone 1710 reviews · critics agree90
Apple iPhone 17 ProImage: Apple
Runner-upApple iPhone 17 Pro10 reviews · broad agreement90

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Common questions

Is the OnePlus Nord 5 worth it?

Critics are divided: 4 of 7 recommend it. Cameras are average, and it has no clear edge over rivals.

Do critics agree about the OnePlus Nord 5?

Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (TechRadar) to 95 (Expert Reviews), a spread of 25 points across 7 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the OnePlus Nord 5?

Battery life (2 of 7 reviews), Software and app (2 of 7 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the OnePlus Nord 5?

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra (critic score 94), best overall.