OnePlus Nord or Any Other Phone | Budget $300-500

Oneplus has launched their much anticipated budget phone: Nord

https://www.oneplus.com/au/nord

Here is price guide (India):
OnePlus Nord with 6GB RAM+64GB storage: Rs 24,999
OnePlus Nord with 8GB RAM+128GB storage: Rs 27,999
OnePlus Nord with 12GB RAM+256GB storage: Rs 29,999

UK:
OnePlus Nord with 8GB RAM+128GB storage: £379
OnePlus Nord with 12GB RAM+256GB storage: £469

Europe:
OnePlus Nord with 8GB RAM+128GB storage: €399
OnePlus Nord with 12GB RAM+256GB storage: €499

No launch date for USA. Not sure when it's available here in Australia.

A lot of hands-on review:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/oneplus-nord-hands-on

ONEPLUS NORD SPECS
Screen: 6.44-inch OLED, 2400 x 1080 resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio
Rear cameras: wide-angle 48-megapixel, ultrawide 8-megapixel (119-degree) lens, 2-megapixel macro camera, 5-megapixel depth sensor
Selfie camera: wide-angle 32-megapixel, ultrawide 8-megapixel (105-degree) camera
Dimensions: 73.3 x 158.3 x 8.2 mm, 184g
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory: 8GB or 12GB RAM
Storage: 128GB to 256GB
Battery: 4,115mAh
OS: OxygenOS 10.5 based on Android 10
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1 with AptX, AptX HD, LDAC, and AAC, Sub-6GHz 5G, LTE
Biometric authentication: fingerprint sensor
Fast charging: Warp Charge 30T

I'm looking to upgrade from iphone 7 plus to this. Hopefully, we can get it in mid August.

What's your thoughts: Wait and Watch or buy some other phone.
My main requirements are: 4GB memory, 64gb storage, support Google play store / apps, 4g or 5g
Budget $300 - $500
Note: I have access to unidays and Samsung Education store as well.

Poll Options expired

  • 1
    LG V30+
  • 1
    Pixel 3a
  • 1
    Any other
  • 2
    One plus 6T
  • 14
    Nord

Comments

  • +2

    Looks like the Nord supports 4G band 28 and 5G band 78 so good for Australia.

    Might wait for reviews and then look into importing one myself.

  • Don't get the V30+, has many bugs and issues

    • Such as?

      • Well, a relative bought a NEW one less than 6 months ago and it's already playing up. The fingerprint scanner has stopped working and the battery is not nearly as good as it was new.

        I've also had several other bad instances with LG phones in general. I bought an LG G4 and it bricked, one thing the G4 is infamous for doing. So bought a G6 and the first two I received had faulty fingerprint scanners. Got a refund for it and bought the G6 from another seller. Working fine-ish now, have a few small problems.

        Another relative has owned an S7 for more than two years, no problem AT ALL.
        So for me personally, I won't buy another LG phone but of course, YMMG

  • +4

    If it does sell in Australia (website indicates this) then a direct currency conversion is $650+ AUD so it's out of your budget.
    But as a long time user on OnePlus, at this price point, and sold locally (if) I would recommend this for any one not dedicated to Apple or Samsung.

    • +2

      Came here to say this. The Nord is not a budget phone, it's a mid-range phone.

      Does look great though!

  • Looking to upgrade my OP6 so I think the Nord will be a good option. I don't need the power the SD8xx is offering anyway so it'll be more battery efficient.

  • +1

    Does OnePlus still sell phones in the Australian market, their last phone on their AU website was the OP5. Then they kinda ditched the AU market and can only buy grey imports now.

  • I don't think it's being launched in America either, mainly europe, based on a vid i watched by MKBHD this morn.

    Would you still get software updates if it's imported?

    • +1

      Region makes no difference on updates. OnePlus are one of the best at releasing frequent updates.

      • Cheers, i was considering this phone over a second hand s10+

  • +1

    Im super keen for this phone, i think it ticks all the boxes. I do also agree with some of the other posters that a Poco F2 at $650 is a better buy compared to this, so it might be worth seeing what price it comes out at locally. Im not sure it will be price sensitive as the marketing gone in to this phone has been somewhat legendary!

    EDIT: For your budget have a look at the K30, it doesnt have band 28, but meets all of the other requirements and is under $500.

    • Thanks XCelR8, I got belong sim using Telstra network, K30 lacks band 28 and it may affect 4G speed.

  • I have the poco F1 and won't consider or recommend Xiaomi anymore. Will be definitely getting the Nord for my parents

    • Why?

      • Terrible lag, issues with Android auto, apps crashing unexpectedly. These are all from my experience. Also it doesn't support some plugins too

        • +1

          I don't remember the stock Poco F1 experience but with a custom rom like Pixel Experience, it was a fantastic phone.

          However, not everyone can or wants to deal with custom firmware.

        • You tried moving away from miui?

          • @Heaclan: Not yet. Paid a fair bit as mine was the top variant. Will wait until something happens to this phone

            • +1

              @DBBROS: custom rom completely transforms the phone. I have switched between about 6 or so roms over the 1.5 years I've had the device. I assume the AA problem your having is the screen flickering, this has been fixed on most new roms/just disable hw overlays in dev settings. I am looking for a new device now as my battery is down to 70% health. Its probably the best device I have ever used. Poco f2 isn't my cup of tea with that popup camera.

  • +4

    Some good deals on eBay Australia:

    8GB/128GB Blue Marble - $619
    8GB/128GB Gray Onyx - $619

    12GB/256GB Blue Marble - $699
    12GB/256GB Gray Onyx - $699
    12GB/256GB Gray Ash - $699 (more info)

    From seller jtbcglobal-au - has a 100% feedback score from 477 reviews, so assume is reliable.

    Not sure how they're acquiring them, I messaged them and they didn't provide any more detail other than it will ship from 'Meadow Heights, VIC' in August. They're based in Singapore. It's going on public sale in India on August 4 at INR 27999/29999 (~$530/565) local pricing, Malaysia from August 18, weather they're getting them from there…

    Tried to post as a deal but as the seller isn't considered a 'top rated seller' it wouldn't let me…

    • +1

      These are very cheap prices. Im in europe atm and prices will be €400/€500 (656/820aud) through oneplus store or telcos. I was planning to buy 1 or 2 from here, but probably no point after seeing they are cheaper in oz.

    • I made the mistake of purchasing through the $619 ebay link. Was told there was stock and shipping from a warehouse in Meadow Heights VIC. 3 days after purchase and no update i requested an update and was given vague information about a delay in the warehouse. I requested more information which was evaded. 7 days after purchase i requested explicit information on why the item wasn't shipped and was told it was out of stock, to be restocked some time next month in September. I was lied to about stock quantities and shipping location and now have reason to believe the stellar postive feedback on eBay is fraudulent/manufactured. Massive waste of time and now the item is out of stock everywhere.

  • +1

    For those still interested in pixel 4a, it will be launched on August 3.

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