Our comprehensive OnePlus Nord N200 5G review invites you to explore the world of affordable yet high-quality smartphones. Exclusively launched in the US and Canada, this upgrade from the N100 features an impressively sleek design and vibrant display, perfect for avid streamers and social media enthusiasts alike. Experience the power of the latest Qualcomm 5G chipset, which provides lightning-fast connectivity for streaming, downloading, and multiplayer gaming.
However, this pocket-friendly powerhouse is not without its quirks. Some may find its performance slightly underwhelming due to its middle-of-the-road specs, and its camera array may not satisfy avid photographers. Nevertheless, the enormous 5,000mAh battery and competitive price point make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing battery life and cost-efficiency over cutting-edge performance.
Finally, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is unlocked for T-Mobile and Google Fi, and it is also 4G compatible with T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Google Fi. Your affordable entry into the 5G revolution is here!
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: A Design that Outshines its Price
Let us examine the aesthetics of the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, a smartphone with a design reminiscent of more expensive models. The Nord N200 emanates a premium vibe thanks to its beautiful, soft-touch plastic casing in a cool, dark aquamarine hue. The smartphone’s back houses a triple camera array, which subtly hints at the aesthetics of the OnePlus 9 series. It is refreshing to see such design consistency across the product lines.
At the forefront, you are greeted by a 6.49-inch LCD screen, with the selfie camera subtly positioned in the top-left corner. The impressively slim bezels on the OnePlus Nord N200 5G add to its modern, sleek appeal, which is quite a feat considering the large 5,000mAh battery it houses within.
The bottom of the Nord N200 houses a versatile array of functionalities. With a USB-C port, speaker, and a headphone jack, the phone accommodates both wireless and 3.5mm wired headphone users. And for the multitaskers, the Nord N200 offers dual-SIM functionality and a micro SD card slot to compensate for its 64GB on-board capacity.
A responsive fingerprint sensor, neatly integrated within the right-side power button, adds to the convenience. This out-of-display approach eliminates the need to touch your screen to unlock the phone, which is a small yet significant detail for some users.
Retailing at $199.99, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G impresses with a high-quality build that delivers value well beyond its price tag. This smartphone is not just a purchase, but an investment.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: A Display That Defies its Price Tag
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G features an IPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution, providing a pleasant viewing experience indoors or outdoors. While it does not produce the deep blacks of an OLED panel, the N200’s display is still enjoyable for browsing photos, watching videos, or playing games.
A standout feature of the Nord N200’s screen is its 90Hz refresh rate, a feature typically reserved for more expensive models. The higher refresh rate enhances the fluidity of Android and makes scrolling and consuming content more enjoyable.
Gamers will appreciate how well games like Genshin Impact and Dead Cells run on this device. The FHD+ resolution ensures crisp text, while wide color reproduction brings movies to life. You’ll relish the vibrant hues in films like Blade Runner 2049.
Our tests revealed that the Nord N200’s display reproduces 160.7% of the sRGB spectrum, with an impressive Delta-E color accuracy rating of 0.26 (where 0 is perfect). The more expensive $349 Pixel 4a’s OLED screen managed 105.8% of the sRGB spectrum with a Delta-E of 0.29.
At a modest price of $199.9, the Nord N200’s display performance is phenomenal. While you might miss out on some subtleties of an OLED panel, the N200’s display quality is unlikely to leave many users wanting. In terms of screen performance, the Nord N200 is undoubtedly a solid contender in the affordable smartphone arena.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Camera Performance
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G has a triple-lens rear camera system with a 13MP main lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. It also has a 16MP front-facing camera. While OnePlus has made significant improvements to its photography capabilities with flagship models like the OnePlus 9 Pro, the Nord N200 falls short of its competitors in this area.
In a head-to-head comparison with the Google Pixel 4a, the Nord N200 struggled with overexposure and washed-out colors in outdoor shots. The Pixel 4a, on the other hand, produced well-exposed and vibrant images. The Nord N200 also performed poorly in portrait mode, with a weak blur radius and a soft focus.
The Nord N200’s front-facing camera also produced overexposed images with aggressive face smoothing. The Pixel 4a, on the other hand, produced natural-looking images with accurate skin tones and facial details.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone with a number of commendable features. However, its camera performance is not up to par with its competitors, such as the Google Pixel 4a. If photography is your top priority, you may want to consider a different phone. However, if you are looking for a phone with features like 5G connectivity, a large battery, and a smooth display, the Nord N200 is still a good option.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Video Recording
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that supports 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second. While this is not a top-tier specification, it is still noteworthy that a $240 smartphone can record FHD video.
However, the overall video quality of the N200 is somewhat mediocre. One area that requires improvement is the stabilization feature. During testing, the final footage exhibited noticeable bouncing while walking, compromising the smoothness of the video. In contrast, the Pixel 4a, which was used simultaneously, delivered a significantly more stable video.
The audio quality of the Nord N200’s two microphones is merely satisfactory. They appeared to struggle with capturing a natural voice volume from half an arm’s length away. In this aspect, the Pixel 4a outperformed the Nord N200, capturing clearer voices and striking a better balance with surrounding noises, such as cars and cicadas.
In conclusion, while the OnePlus Nord N200 5G can record FHD video, both the video and audio quality leave room for improvement. It is a decent option for casual users, but other models might be more suitable for those serious about video recording.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Assessing Performance
For a $199.99 phone, the Nord N200 5G does a decent job with everyday tasks, but it’s not going to blow you away with performance. The Snapdragon 480 5G chip is fine for basic stuff like browsing the web and checking email, but it struggles with more demanding tasks like gaming. The 4GB of RAM is also a bit on the low side, which can lead to some slowdowns if you have a lot of apps open at once.
If you’re looking for a phone for gaming or other intensive tasks, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you’re on a budget and just need a basic phone for everyday use, the Nord N200 5G is a decent option.
Here’s how it compares to the iPhone SE (2020):
The iPhone SE (2020) is a bit more expensive than the Nord N200 5G, but it offers much better performance. The A13 Bionic chip is a beast, and it can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. The Nord N200 5G, on the other hand, will struggle with some games and other demanding apps.
So, which phone should you buy? It depends on your needs. If you’re on a budget and just need a basic phone for everyday use, the Nord N200 5G is a decent option. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the iPhone SE (2020) is a much better performer.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G, with its sizable 5,000mAh battery, promises commendable battery longevity. However, it does not quite make it to the top of the best phone battery life leaderboard. Its 90Hz display does make a slight dent in battery life, but this is not as significant as one might assume.
In our battery endurance test, which involves incessant webpage reloading over a cellular connection until the battery depletes, the Nord N200 clocked in a respectable 10 hours and 28 minutes with its default 90Hz display mode. Switching to a 60Hz setting eked out a slightly longer runtime of 10 hours and 36 minutes. Given this minimal difference, users will likely find more value in sticking to the smoother 90Hz display setting.
Unlike its more premium siblings, the Nord N200 does not have OnePlus’ signature Warp Charge technology for rapid charging. However, it does support 18W wired charging, which can rejuvenate a completely depleted battery to 32% within 30 minutes.
In conclusion, the Nord N200’s battery life and charging capabilities align well with its budget-friendly position in the market. Its large battery ensures you will not be left scrambling for a charger in the middle of the day, and its 18W charging offers a decent recharge speed, keeping your device powered up when you need it most.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Software and Updates
Upon unboxing the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, one will find that it runs Android 11, supplemented by OnePlus’ user-friendly OxygenOS 11 software. This combination offers a variety of customization options, a streamlined default launcher, and a level of refinement synonymous with the pricier OnePlus 9 Pro.
However, one downside is the limited software support. OnePlus has confirmed only one OS upgrade for the Nord N200, meaning it will not be privy to Android 13 and beyond. This limited commitment to software support for budget-friendly Android phones is disappointing and detracts from the otherwise excellent value of the Nord N200.
In terms of longevity, competitors like the Pixel 4a or iPhone SE, with their extended support periods, may prove to be better investments for some users. Despite OnePlus promising three years of security patches for the Nord N200, the constrained platform support is a significant drawback.
Disappointingly, OnePlus has not committed to three years of platform and four years of security updates even for its flagship 9 series, unlike competitors like Google and Samsung. The same lackadaisical approach appears to have trickled down to the updated policy for the Nord N200, which is a letdown for this otherwise impressive budget smartphone.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review: Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a great value for its price of $199.99, especially considering it is one of the most affordable 5G phones in the US. However, it does have some flaws. The camera performance is not great, with the secondary and tertiary lenses being subpar and the primary shooter tending to overexpose images. Selfie enthusiasts may also be disappointed with the mediocre performance of the front camera, and the video recording quality is just average.
While the performance is not exactly amazing, and the update schedule is not as good as it could be, the Nord N200 does exceed expectations in many ways for its price point. This phone offers great value for money with a solid build, aesthetically pleasing design, impressive display, and sub-6GHz 5G support.
However, if performance is a priority and your budget allows, it is advisable to consider options like the Pixel 4a or iPhone SE, which offer superior performance and extended software support. The absence of 5G and a 90Hz display on these devices are minor trade-offs compared to their overall advantages.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a great choice if you are on a tight budget and value features like 5G connectivity and a smooth display. It proves that you can enjoy an array of high-end features without breaking the bank, and OnePlus deserves recognition for this impressive feat.