OnePlus Nord Snapdragon 765G Six Cameras India Launch

Yes, the OnePlus Nord with the Snapdragon 765G processor and six cameras (two on the front, four on the back) was launched in India on July 21, 2020. It was OnePlus’s first mid-range smartphone, marking a return to the affordable flagship-killer segment the company helped popularize years earlier.

The OnePlus Nord: A Quick Background

Before the Nord, OnePlus had focused exclusively on premium flagships, with prices creeping steadily upward. The Nord was a deliberate shift: a phone that kept the essential OnePlus experience—clean software, fast charging, good build quality—but at a lower price point. The name “Nord” (from “North”) was chosen to evoke the idea of a guiding star, and the phone was first teased in a series of online videos before its official announcement.

The Indian launch was particularly significant. OnePlus had a strong fanbase in India, and the Nord was priced aggressively to compete with the likes of the Google Pixel 4a and the Samsung Galaxy M series. The phone went on sale on August 4, 2020, and was initially available through Amazon India and the OnePlus website.

Snapdragon 765G: What It Means for Performance

The Snapdragon 765G is a mid-range system-on-chip (SoC) from Qualcomm, announced in late 2019. The “G” suffix indicates it’s tuned for gaming, with slightly higher GPU clocks than the standard 765. It’s built on a 7nm process, which helps with power efficiency.

CPU: Octa-core Kryo 475, with two performance cores (up to 2.4 GHz) and six efficiency cores (up to 1.8 GHz).
GPU: Adreno 620, which supports 120Hz displays and HDR gaming.
5G: The 765G includes an integrated Snapdragon X52 modem, supporting both sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G (though the Nord’s Indian variant only supported sub-6 GHz).

In real-world use, the 765G handles daily tasks smoothly, and most games run well at medium to high settings. It’s not a flagship chip, so heavy 3D games may require lowering graphics settings to maintain frame rates. For most users, the performance is more than adequate.

The Six Cameras: A Closer Look

The “six cameras” refers to the total across the front and back. Here’s the breakdown:

Rear (4):
- Primary: 48 MP Sony IMX586, f/1.75, with OIS and EIS
- Ultra-wide: 8 MP, f/2.25, 119° field of view
- Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4
- Depth: 5 MP, f/2.4
Front (2):
- Primary: 32 MP Sony IMX616, f/2.45
- Ultra-wide: 8 MP, f/2.45, 105° field of view

The dual front cameras were a notable selling point, allowing group selfies and a wider perspective. The rear camera setup was a mix of useful and filler lenses—the macro and depth sensors were less useful than the main and ultra-wide, but they added to the marketing count. The main camera produced good photos in daylight, with decent dynamic range and color. Low-light performance was acceptable, though not flagship-level.

Other Key Specs and Features

Beyond the processor and cameras, the Nord had several other notable features:

Display: 6.44-inch Fluid AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate. The 90Hz made scrolling and animations feel very smooth.
Battery: 4115 mAh, with Warp Charge 30T (30W) fast charging. A full charge took about 30 minutes.
RAM/Storage: 6GB/8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB/128GB/256GB UFS 2.1 storage. No microSD card slot.
Software: OxygenOS based on Android 10, later updated to Android 12. OxygenOS was praised for its clean, near-stock experience with useful customizations.
Connectivity: Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC (for payments), and a USB-C port. It also had a headphone jack, which was a plus for some users.

Launch Price in India and Variants

The OnePlus Nord was launched in India with three variants:

6GB RAM + 64GB storage: ₹24,999
8GB RAM + 128GB storage: ₹27,999
12GB RAM + 256GB storage: ₹29,999 (launched later)

These prices made it a compelling option in the mid-range segment, undercutting many rivals while offering a premium feel. The phone was available in two colors: Blue Marble and Gray Onyx.

How It Compared to Rivals

The Nord faced stiff competition from several phones. Here’s a quick comparison:

Google Pixel 4a: Priced similarly (₹29,999 in India), the Pixel 4a had a better camera but a smaller screen, no 5G, and a slower 60Hz display. The Nord offered better value on paper.
Samsung Galaxy M31s: The M31s had a bigger battery (6000 mAh) and a microSD slot, but its Exynos 9611 processor was less powerful than the 765G, and its display was 60Hz.
Realme X3: The X3 had a faster Snapdragon 855+ chip and a 120Hz display, but it lacked 5G and had a plastic build. The Nord was more balanced overall.

Common Problems and Known Issues

Like any phone, the Nord had a few reported issues:

Display tint: Some users reported a slight green tint at low brightness, especially on the 90Hz mode. This was a known issue with some AMOLED panels.
Ultra-wide camera quality: The front ultra-wide camera was criticized for being soft and lacking detail compared to the main sensor.
5G band support: The Indian variant only supported one 5G band (n78), which was fine at launch but limited future compatibility.
Software bugs: Early updates had occasional bugs, but most were fixed with subsequent OxygenOS updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the OnePlus Nord still worth buying in 2024?

No, it’s not recommended. The phone is several years old, and its processor and camera are outdated. Many better options exist in the same price range today, with newer features and longer software support.

Does the OnePlus Nord support 5G in India?

Yes, it supports sub-6 GHz 5G on the n78 band, which is the primary band used by Indian carriers. However, 5G networks in India were not widely available at launch, and the phone’s limited band support means it may not work on all future networks.

How many cameras does the OnePlus Nord have?

It has six cameras in total: four on the back (48 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide, 2 MP macro, 5 MP depth) and two on the front (32 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide).

What is the battery capacity of the OnePlus Nord?

The OnePlus Nord has a 4115 mAh battery, which supports 30W Warp Charge. A full charge takes about 30 minutes, and the battery typically lasts a full day with moderate use.

Can I use a microSD card with the OnePlus Nord?

No, the OnePlus Nord does not have a microSD card slot. You’ll need to choose a variant with enough storage for your needs (64GB, 128GB, or 256GB).

Does the OnePlus Nord have a headphone jack?

Yes, the OnePlus Nord retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a feature many users appreciate.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →