With the Nord 3, OnePlus shows how good a mid-range smartphone can be. The device comes with premium specs without charging the full price.

The OnePlus Nord 3 was released last summer and immediately made a big impression. In our first detailed test report (read here) we even declared the smartphone our “editorial choice” for the mid-range. The honeymoon is now over and a lot of additional competition has emerged. Can the OnePlus Nord 3 still convince?

Smartphone with appearance

Manufacturers sometimes save on workmanship when it comes to inexpensive devices, but the OnePlus Nord 3 doesn’t look “cheap” at all. We’re liking the light blue color more and more – sorry OnePlus, we still don’t think it’s green. A more neutral black option is also available. OnePlus only uses plastic for the frame, the back is made of glass. Everything is neatly finished to give the device a business look. Only the large size (6.7 inches) might be uncomfortable for some users.

Iconic slider

OnePlus was known as an outsider in its early years and is trying to retain that bit of individuality in its new devices. The physical notification slider has become a relic for loyal fans. This is a slider above the volume button that allows you to adjust the volume of notifications. It’s a useful and unique feature, but you won’t miss it if you have a device from another brand in your hands.

Screen quality

OnePlus didn’t skimp on pixels: the display has 1,240 x 2,772 pixels. Not only do you get more pixels across the screen, but also per inch (451ppi). This creates a sharp image that is almost as good as top devices. Also the screen brightness (max. 1080 cd/m²)²) and the refresh rate (120 Hz) reach strong values. The screen is therefore ideal for all types of applications.

Performance: CPU and GPU show muscle

The fact that OnePlus didn’t save money with the Nord 3 is also evident from the smartphone’s scope of delivery. The device runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 9000. In terms of performance, this processor is comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a processor that was found in many flagships from 2022. The processor also makes it possible in practice. The following graphic compares the CPU performance of some price comparison partners. Only the Google Pixel 7a has to leave the Nord 3 behind, the rest are mercilessly overshadowed.

If we look at the GPU, the Mali-G710, the Nord 3 continues to impress. This is quite remarkable as MediaTek has not excelled in this area in the past. Nevertheless, the Nord 3 is leagues ahead of the others. This is a device that can do a lot.

Battery and charging

But how long can the Nord 3 maintain this strong performance? We subject the battery to two different tests: a video test, where we play videos until the battery is completely drained, and a performance test, where we simulate the effects of multitasking on the battery. In the video test, the OnePlus Nord 3 was disappointing and came out as one of the worst. During the performance test, the Nord 3 was able to recover and came out of the test as a mid-engine. The difference to other devices is still significant.

Luckily, a dead battery isn’t a problem if you have a charger on hand. The OnePlus Nord 3 only needs fourteen minutes to refuel to fifty percent, and to eighty percent it only takes 24 minutes. You may consider this a “nice-to-have,” but once you have a device that can charge quickly, a “slow” charger will cause you a lot of frustration.

Cameras

The OnePlus Nord 3’s cameras are the most fickle. The 50 MP main sensor stands out and delivers clear images. However, the algorithms go into overdrive when it comes to coloring and it looks as if a felt-tip pen has been run across the grass again. The opposite effect occurs with the wide-angle camera: it looks as if someone has turned off the light. The macro lens has a 2 MP sensor and doesn’t produce the sharpest images. The cameras are okay, but there are better ones.

Update policy

OnePlus guarantees that the Nord 3 will receive at least four years of security updates and three years of operating system updates. In certain markets, the OnePlus has already received the upgrade to Android 14. In Europe this is still Android 13 for now, but know that the update will arrive soon. The update policy is good for a mid-range device that often has to make do with less. But there are also devices that are kept alive longer by their manufacturer.

Conclusion: almost perfect

The OnePlus Nord 3 is without a doubt one of the better devices you can currently find at an “affordable” price. The device is not perfect, but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Is the Nord 3 currently the best mid-range device? That depends on what you value in a smartphone. If you look at many criteria, your search will land on the OnePlus Nord 3.

This short test report is part of our comparative mass test of mid-range cell phones between 350 and 500 euros. Click here for the other reviews.

The OnePlus Nord 3 is available in two colors: black and light green/blue. The basic version gets 8 GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage and costs 449 euros. For 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage you pay 549 euros. All prices mentioned above include VAT.

Android Update Policy: OnePlus guarantees that the Nord 3 will receive security updates for at least four years and OS updates for three years. This period begins with the launch on July 5, 2023 with Android 13.