OnePlus Nord is a mid -range OnePlus device brand that also has its own fans. Within the OnePlus community, this Nord discussion is quite lively in terms of usage experience, software, camera and more. But the OnePlus name in Malaysia is less lively and it is difficult for people to accept their offers.
First is the issue of updates that have not been so good lately, then about the warranty of the device in the troubled Malaysian market and the relatively high selling price compared to competitors. But with the launch of the OnePlus Nord 2T and Nord CE 2 Lite, OnePlus would like to try to impress the public to see their more attractive offerings and possibly to give the brand new opportunities.
After about a week of using the Nord 2T as a daily device, I can say I did not experience any problems during use. In fact this device is probably among the best premium mid -range devices I have ever used so far.
Specifications And Designs
OnePlus Nord 2T
6.43 Fluid AMOLED screen 2400 x 1080 (410 ppi)
FHD+, 90Hz
1300 (6nm) Tech Media Processor
1x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 chip
3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A78
4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55
Mali-G77 MC9 Graphics Chip
RAM 8/12 GB LPDDR4X
Internal Capacity 128/256 GB UFS 3.1
50MP Wide Angle Main Camera f/1.8, OIS
8MP Ultra Wide Angle 120 degrees, f/2.2
2MP Mono f/2.2
AI Photo Enhancement
AI Video Enhancement
32 Megapixel Selfie Camera, EIS
4500 mAh battery (dual-cell)
80W SuperVOOC wired charging
SIM/Dual SIM nano 4G Phone
VoLTE
NFC Yes
Audio No audio jack
Stereo speakers
Waterproof None
Scanning System Finger scanner at the bottom of the screen
Selling Price RM1,899 (8/128 GB)
RM2,099 (12/256 GB)
The OnePlus Nord 2T still uses a body design more or less the same as the Nord and Nord 2. the most noticeable difference is on the back panel with the camera hump design only. This device has a premium feel build, looks neat and beautiful in the hand. The weird camera hump seen in the picture, but actually looks beautiful in front of the eyes makes this device have an identity of its own. The Alert Slider button is also retained on the device, making it even easier for me to control the ringtone settings.
The body of the device is made of plastic, one of the factors that allows this device to be sold at a competitive price in Malaysia. The device is also quite comfortable in the hand, although a little slippery it is not annoying. The use of bright colors also does not easily reveal fingerprint stains.
The screen on this device is still the same as the previous OnePlus Nord 2. It is a 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED screen with HDR10+ display support. But in my usage, this HDR10+ is not supported on Netflix. YouTube however has no problem at all to play videos at high quality. The screen color is also not as bright and sharp as I expected.
All -day use however does not interfere at all. 90Hz is very fast, just a little boring as it is the same feature since the first Nord and I expect 120Hz support. Ordinary users may find it hard to differentiate, but I who tested various 90Hz and 120Hz devices have significant differences and can change the user experience.
90Hz alone is not a big issue, as it will not consume much battery. About a week of use, I had no problems with the screen getting stuck and seeing a slow time transition. In fact this device is quite fast and fast.
This OnePlus Nord 2T also looks more attractive with devices in the same class than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G or other chip -powered devices at the same power level as the Snapdragon 778G.
Usage And Software
OnePlus Nord 2T still runs its own OnePlus operating system, OxygenOS. On this device is OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12. Here I began to experience a serious dilemma. I’m not sure to like this new OxygenOS or even prefer One UI, JoyUI and others. What’s for sure is, I would choose OxygenOS over MIUI - that’s the ultimate decision for myself personally.
The dilemma I am experiencing is because OxygenOS 12.1 has a lot in common with ColorOS from Oppo as well as giving a more or less similar usage experience to Realme UI. I’m confused by the strategy for this operating system of theirs, and not sure can accept it or not.
This Nord 2T gives me a Realme -like user experience with a OnePlus touch. OxygenOS has a very small OnePlus element. I only know the OnePlus Shelf, AOD mode, typefaces and a few on the widgets only that have the OnePlus identity. Others are almost entirely identical to Oppo or Realme. Do not get me wrong, that it is a good operating system.
I've received an update since I started using it, I haven't experienced any warming issues, no excessive memory usage making the device time lag or system crashing, everything is smooth and stays fast. The performance of this device is still more or less the same as the first Nord 2 or Nord, which it gives a good use.
A feature that is unfamiliar to me is Work Life Balance, a Focus -like mode on iOS and also a Google Lens -like Scout search feature from OnePlus itself. To me, even though there are a lot of ColorOS elements in this device, it doesn’t check with ads, no additional app stores, not a lot of fat apps and is still among the soothing operating systems.
Bench mark
This review unit is an 8/128 GB variation, meaning the supported virtual memory is up to 5GB making the total RAM up to 13GB for this device. The processing chip is the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 successor to the great Dimensity 1200 chip, among the only devices with this chip in the local market. This chip is supposed to have the same power as the Snapdragon 778G or Snapdragon 778G+.
The tests I did were through AnTuTu 3D and also Geekbench 5. The scores obtained were quite encouraging on me with a total of 593,120 on AnTuTu and 868/3,333 on Geekbench. For comparison I have a list below with customers who have more or less the same chip specifications that are 1+3+4 cores and have Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 CPUs.
AnTuTu 3D
OnePlus Nord 2T: 593,120
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: 477,570
Geekbench 5
OnePlus Nord 2T: 868/3,333
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: 736/2740
This device also has no problems in first play. No serious heating problems, the benchmark test several times without a cooling fan can also run well. First sessions like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 can still provide a smooth gaming experience again with the built-in ready-made first mode on this device which is quite effective.
Camera
The OnePlus Nord 2T uses a tri-camera configuration that combines a 50 Megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor with f/1.8 lens aperture as well as support OIS + 8 Megapixel ultra wide angle sensor with f/2.2 lens aperture which supports EIS + 2 Megapixel mono sensor with f/f/lens aperture 2.2 and a 32 Megapixel selfie camera from the Sony IMX615 sensor.
The camera of this device is not the best, although the same sensors are used on their flagship devices. But for a mid -range device, the Nord 2T has pretty good and satisfying camera capabilities. Bright colors, sharp images as well as well -preserved details. Night mode is also seen to have encouraging results, but unfortunately the ultra wide angle mode has only modest capabilities and is not pretty enough.
The main problem with the camera of this device is that the focus is not very good. It blinks consistently, blinks not focusing on the subject no matter in portrait or normal mode. The subject becomes blurred and pictures need to be taken repeatedly to have a satisfactory result.
Audio
The device speakers for the OnePlus are great on flagship devices like on the previous OnePlus 7 Pro. But on the Nord, the device’s speakers are never satisfactory and more of a mere presence. The stereo speakers of this device are tuned by Dirac, they are not loud and loud enough, as well as not having deep bass. The audio profile of the speakers of this device is more flat and mediocre.
Telephones And GPS
The great thing about the Nord 2T is that my Maxis SIM card can work fine without any drop bar issues like an iPhone or other Android device. Phone calls are clear, the mobile data connection for Internet access is also stable and gives me use that does not interfere with daily work. The use of GPS is also pretty good, as I don’t have to do recalibrations and Google Maps is able to work as well as possible.
Battery
The 4500mAh capacity battery is a standard for mid -range devices. The non -standard thing is the crazy fast charging system, for which this device supports the SuperVOOC 80W system. This charging system promises all -day use with just 15 minutes of charging. In my testing, intermittent charges were no problem to last long.
The battery life of this device is quite solid. Light use with extreme video streaming is not a problem to achieve 8 hours of SOT. While with extreme use such as camera and first, there is no problem to achieve up to 6 hours of SOT.
My big problem with this charging is, the cable is still USB-A to USB-C and does not support PD system which is friendly and universal in nature. If I use my GaN charger, this device can be charged at a rate of around 25W or a basic PD only. To take advantage of the SuperVOOC 80W I have to always carry the charger cable and plug no matter where I am.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the OnePlus Nord 2T is among the good premium mid -range devices. This device gave me a pretty satisfying user experience. Fast screen, long -lasting battery, fast charging, acceptable camera and simple design. Although I have a dilemma in using this device, as I said earlier OxygenOS is better than MIUI - making this device will compete with Realme, Oppo, Nothing or Samsung.
Steady performance and a nice battery are bonuses for this device. The price is still a little higher than I expected, because if you want a complete package, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers a good price. So this goes back to software and cameras, which also don’t have serious problems. So I will have no problem to recommend this device to the public.
What worries me with the OnePlus Nord 2T is that software updates may be inconsistent. The current OnePlus is not the OnePlus we used to know. Operating system updates are no longer fast, security updates are also available. According to reports, OxygenOS has a lot of bugs and is most likely slow in receiving upgrades to new Android versions. After the beta test is run, the stable version will take a long time.
But if for basic use, just casual and use for lifestyle - the Nord 2T is a device worth owning.
Pro
Satisfactory performance with smooth software
Long lasting battery with super fast charging
The simple design is attractive, comfortable and looks premium
Retained Slider Alert icon
Cons
The screen is not so pretty
Unstable audio
The price is a little higher than the competition