The OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review is a budget-friendly 5G phone that doesn’t sacrifice features.
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G mid-range Android phone has been out for about two months now, and it’s still one of the most impressive phones in its price range — especially considering its 5G capability.
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G offers all the specifications of the previous OnePlus 5G phones, but in a slightly larger body that feels much more comfortable to hold than those models do.
The Pricing – A Good Value
One of the OnePlus’ most appealing features is its high value. Though other phones may have more flashy hardware and unique features, very few can match OnePlus’ price tags. At $209, there is absolutely no beating it when it comes to bang for your buck.
That price tag gets you a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 chipset, a hefty 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage with microSD expansion up to 512GB, Android 11 on top of OxygenOS 11, an advanced 13MP rear camera, and a 16MP front shooter with both night modes and portrait mode.
Other devices like Samsung Galaxy S10+ cost nearly twice as much for less RAM/storage (though Samsung has microSD support) and no 5G connectivity.
The OnePlus 3T was one of our favorite smartphones and it’s clear to see that OnePlus has learned from past experiences. With no gimmicks or fanfare, they released a device that offers high-end specs and features at an affordable price tag.
Unlike most other smartphones out there, you don’t get less for your money because of your carrier either; AT&T is only charging $30 extra for 5G connectivity on their network compared to 4G speeds if you buy from OnePlus.
This model OnePlus Nord N200 5G could be a great choice for someone who needs a reliable smartphone but doesn’t want to sacrifice performance or functionality in any way.
Design
Although Oneplus Nord N200 5G is a great deal on paper, what makes it worth your attention? We’ve taken a look at its specs and design to see whether it truly is deserving of that second spot in the OnePlus lineup.
As far as we can tell, there aren’t many phones that have been designed to look quite like it. In terms of dimensions, it has a 6.4 screen—not much larger than that of most smartphones at just 6mm thick. That slender frame is matched by smooth corners and an overall simple look.
Although its design won’t blow you away, it also doesn’t stand out in any negative way, so we think OnePlus deserves some credit for not going overboard with features or impractical design choices in its latest phone.
And don’t forget to order a cheap Oneplus Nord N200 5G case here and give us feedback about how well your case fits on the OnePlus Nord phone!
Build quality is unsurprisingly good, and we found it to be more durable than we expected. It doesn’t have a fancy design feature like a 3D touch or a curved screen, but it feels solid in your hand and you don’t have to worry about any unsightly scratches marring its simple surface as time goes on.
Display Quality
This phone has a solid display, especially for those who like to game or watch movies. If you’re looking for an HDR screen, however, you may want to consider another model. Its smaller display is in part due to its mid-range price and availability of a larger screen on other models.
This phone also features Google Assistant in English and Chinese languages as well as Google Lens, which allows users to identify objects simply by taking a picture.
All things considered, there are better displays out there but if you’re looking for one at a midrange price that won’t break your bank account, then look no further.
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G comes with a 6.4-inch IPS LCD touchscreen that’s protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It has a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio, giving it that famous Notch seen on newer devices such as Apple’s iPhone X and Samsung’s Galaxy S series.
With 405 pixels per inch (PPI), it has slightly less sharpness than current flagship phones which run at 405 PPI and above, but you will likely be hard-pressed to notice any difference in most cases.
If you have an incredibly sharp vision or like to watch shows and movies in a bright room, however, you may notice slight pixelation.
It’s time to address brightness. In short, you won’t have any problems seeing what’s on your screen even in bright sunlight. Keep in mind, however, that your battery life will suffer because of it—but that goes for any device with a glossy display such as Samsung’s Galaxy S10.
Camera – Quality That’s Not Comparable to Flagships
This is where OnePlus really excels – in camera quality. On paper, it might not seem like much. A 13MP main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture.
And 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens with a 117-degree viewing angle both uses Sony’s IMX586 sensor, which is found on many of today’s flagships including those from Samsung and LG.
But it’s their implementation of software (and hardware) that makes them so good. A combination of four OIS lenses and a 4K video at 60fps help keep the motion smooth even when things get shaky.
While improved electronic image stabilization provides smoother
videos than any other OnePlus phone to date – even in 4K at 30fps. Simply put, it takes amazing photos and videos.
And with a near-identical setup to what’s found on OnePlus’ flagship phones, I can confidently say that there isn’t a single phone in its price range (and likely even in its class) that can compete in terms of camera quality.
OnePlus has long been praised for its use of fingerprint sensors. They may not be as fast as using an iris scanner or facial recognition system, but they’re more secure and easy to access than either of those – making them perfect for everyday use.
Software (OnePlus Community)
OnePlus, a manufacturer based in Shenzhen, China, and founded by Pete Lau (CEO) and Carl Pei (COO), produces high-end Android smartphones. Since 2014, OnePlus has been known for offering devices with specs comparable to other flagship phones at lower prices than competitors.
In 2016, they launched their first budget phone line called One Plus X, which was followed by a similar product dubbed OnPlus 3T in 2017.
Recent releases include the second generation of their high-end product called One Plus 6, released in 2018 along with an updated version of their popular mid-range smartphone named One Plus 6T.
OnePlus began as a software company, called Oppo, in Shenzhen, China. It was founded by Pete Lau and Carl Pei and involved no hardware manufacturing at all.
Initially focusing on Android development for other companies, OnePlus eventually started developing its own Android ROM (CyanogenMod) for smartphones available for multiple brands.
With a goal of becoming more than just an ODM or OEM, OnePlus finally started making its own phones in 2014 by selling them directly to consumers online without any middlemen like carriers or dealers.
One of their first smartphones, called One (2014), became known for its powerful hardware and attractive design. It was well-received by both critics and consumers due to its specs which were similar to flagship phones from more established companies like Samsung, LG, and HTC but at a lower price.
Since then OnePlus has become one of the most recognized Chinese phone manufacturers alongside Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo.
Also, check our full review of the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G.
Hardware – A Solid Performer
I love that OnePlus is releasing mid-range phones that, at a glance, are indistinguishable from flagship devices. As it currently stands, I could very easily walk into an AT&T store and buy one of these phones on launch day and no one would bat an eye.
Even more impressive is that they’re able to do so while charging hundreds less than most flagship smartphones. In fact, $209 is even below OnePlus’s usual low price ceiling for its devices.
OnePlus has made a strong name for itself with its high-end phones, but lately, it’s been stretching into the mid-range territory. The OnePlus 6T, for example, is an excellent phone but doesn’t quite offer flagship specs at a flagship price—and that’s where the OnePlus Nord comes in.
What makes it stand out? It’s equipped with high-end specs such as Snapdragon 480 and up to 4GB of RAM—but on sale, you can pick one up for under $209.
Click here to buy this Awesome flagship. OnePlus Nord N200 5G.
I mentioned earlier that OnePlus is releasing mid-range phones that, at a glance, are indistinguishable from flagship devices. That’s because you could probably take these photos and put them side by side with their high-end counterparts and no one would be able to tell the difference.
Everything from their cameras to design looks almost identical to those flagships, but with a much lower price tag attached. It’s really impressive what OnePlus has been able to do here and I hope they continue down that path in future releases.
They have definitely created a market for affordable smartphones and if any other companies want a piece of it, they better watch out because I think OnePlus will keep taking as much market share as possible for years to come!
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G comes with a 5000 mAh battery which isn’t bad on paper but ends up being just average. This is mostly due to one of my favorite features of every OnePlus phone, Quick Charge.
With QC4+ on board, you can charge your phone from zero to 100% in about an hour and a half. I could usually get through a full day without having to plug it in before bedtime and had no trouble making it from 8 am to 10 pm with 10% or so left over when it was time for bed.
This can vary depending on how heavy you use your phone however and if you are constantly playing games or watching videos all day long then expect your battery life to be closer to eight hours or less.
Overall I’d say my battery life was about average, which is what you should expect from a 5G phone that has been out for less than a year.
With regular daily use including taking a couple of pictures and watching some YouTube videos, I was usually able to make it to midnight with at least 30% left on my battery.
While you won’t get eight hours of screen time every day, I doubt many people will have trouble getting through a full day on their OnePlus Nord N200 5G without having to plug it in before bedtime.
Depending on how much you game or use your phone throughout your day, you may find yourself charging it more frequently though and that may include overnight as well if you play games or watch lots of videos.
Other Features – Worth Having?
Even if you don’t plan on using these features, they’re still worth having for a couple of reasons. OnPlus Nord N200 5G has several great features. First, it’s about keeping your phone up to date with what’s currently available and pushing OnePlus to add new features as technology advances.
Second, it makes your phone compatible with future accessories that might rely on one of these features. And finally, Face Unlock is just fun to play around with.
All things considered, you’ll probably want all three of these available from day one; you can always disable them later if you change your mind. Although these are all pretty small perks, they can add up if you’re planning on using them regularly.
There’s nothing worse than buying a new phone and then discovering that it doesn’t have features you really wanted; by giving OnePlus some advance notice, they’re much more likely to put these features in their phones as soon as possible.
Having each of these available right out of the box is also important if you plan on purchasing accessories that require one or more of them.
Third, these features are just fun to have. Although Face Unlock isn’t nearly as secure as a fingerprint sensor or passcode, it’s still nice to play around with.
And having wireless charging and water resistance is never a bad thing; even if you never use them at all, they’re still better than not having them.
Overall Verdict – Should you buy it?
Overall, OnePlus has done an incredible job with its first 5G device. And OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a great and powerful device. It’s an excellent mix of high quality, reliability, and affordability. While there are a few minor issues, such as charging speeds and a bit of bloatware, they’re easy to overlook when you consider everything else about it.
If you’re in need of a new smartphone but don’t want to break your bank account for one, then we strongly recommend buying into the OnePlus’ affordable phone range. It’s well worth it!
If you’re looking for a good mid-range phone that can also handle 5G networks, then we strongly recommend picking up a OnePlus Nord N200 5G. It provides all of the functionality of more expensive handsets, yet for a fraction of their price.
The inbuilt camera may not be perfect and it lacks features like wireless charging, but these are minor issues when compared to everything else about it. Overall, it’s an excellent phone that doesn’t break your bank!