OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Budget-Friendly 5G Smartphone with Pros and Cons
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G has finally made its way to Nepal, two years after its global debut. They say, 'Better late than never,' right? This device has arrived with a price tag of NPR 17,499 for its sole 4/64GB variant, making it the most affordable 5G phone in Nepal. The closest competitor in the 5G category is the Poco M3 Pro 5G, priced at NPR 23,999 (4/64GB). Powered by the Snapdragon 480 5G chipset, does this phone stand out as the best in its price range? Let's explore that in our OnePlus Nord N200 5G review.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Specifications:
- Dimensions: 163.1 x 74.9 x 8.3mm, weighing 189 grams
- Display: 6.49-inch IPS LCD panel, featuring a 90Hz refresh rate and 2.5D cover glass
- Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), with a 20:9 aspect ratio
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm)
- Memory: 4GB RAM LPDDR4X, 64GB UFS 2.1 storage (expandable)
- Software & UI: Android 11 with OxygenOS (Android 12 update available)
- Rear Camera: Triple setup (13MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP monochrome)
- Front Camera: 16MP (punch-hole)
- Security: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- Connectivity: 5G, Dual Nano-SIM, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Battery: 5000mAh with 18W fast charging
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review:
Design and Display
Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
6.49-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate
2400 x 1080 pixel resolution, featuring a 20:9 aspect ratio
Starting with design, the Nord N200 5G is visually appealing. As a budget-centric phone, it boasts an all-plastic body with a glass front. However, the frame and glossy rear panel don't give off a cheap vibe. The rectangular camera module may seem a bit dated in 2023, but for a budget phone, it's one of the best-looking options in the sub-20K price range.
Moving to the front, there's a punch-hole cutout on the left side of the 6.49-inch IPS LCD panel. OnePlus has added a 90Hz refresh rate, which, during my usage, proved to be quite smooth. In terms of display quality, it's sharp for an LCD panel, delivering a decent multimedia experience with its single speaker producing fairly good audio.
Performance
Snapdragon 480 5G, 8nm mobile platform
2x Cortex-A76 (@2.0GHz), 6x Cortex-A55 (@1.8GHz)
Adreno 619 GPU
The Nord N200 boasts a 5G chipset, a rarity in this price segment. The Snapdragon 480 SoC not only brings 5G connectivity but also delivers commendable performance. Benchmark tests show a single-core score of 700 and a multi-core score of 1632, surpassing the Helio G88 found in this range. In real-world usage, day-to-day tasks feel smooth, including app-switching and social media scrolling.
For gamers, the phone performs well with light games like Subway Surfers, Clash Royale, and Clash of Clans. In PUBG and CODM, you can achieve up to 40fps and 60fps, respectively, although occasional frame rate drops may occur. It's suitable for casual gaming, but heavy gamers might find it lacking.
Ad-Free OxygenOS Experience
Originally Android 11, upgradeable to Android 12
The Nord N200 5G comes with Android 11, upgradable to Android 12. While Android 12 in 2023 might not sound cutting-edge, it provides a clean OS experience free from ads and bloatware. Unlike many phones in this price range, the Nord N200 5G keeps the user experience clean and uncluttered. However, note that the budget N series typically receives only one major software update, so it won't receive Android 13.
Camera
13MP main
2MP macro + 2MP monochrome
The phone features a triple camera setup (13MP + 2MP + 2MP) without an ultrawide unit.
Daylight Shots
Daylight images from the Nord N200 are decent but tend to struggle with exposure. It's suitable for casual users.
Portraits
In the portrait mode, results are decent, although skin tones and dynamic range could be improved.
Selfies
Selfies are also decent, with the option to adjust background blur levels for social media-ready shots.
Night
In low light conditions, the phone's performance is average. The dedicated night mode helps capture better images but requires steady hands.
Battery
The Nord N200 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, standard for midrange phones. It comes with an 18W charger in the box, taking about 2 hours for a full charge. With medium usage, the battery can easily last more than a day, and light users can expect two-day battery life.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord N200 offers a decent package. It delivers a capable 5G chipset and a clean OS experience. While the camera isn't exceptional, it meets the needs of casual users. The battery life is excellent, and the inclusion of an 18W charger is a plus. On the downside, it's limited to Android 12 for updates. Overall, it's a worthy device in the sub-20k price range.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Attractive design
Decent performance with Snapdragon 480
Ad and bloatware-free Oxygen OS
Cons
Stuck at Android 12
64GB storage on the base variant
Single speaker