Connect with us

Technologies

OnePlus Nord N30 5G Review: A $300 Phone Overachiever

There simply aren’t any other $300 phones with 50-watt charging, but the 108-megapixel camera doesn’t perform any miracles.

7.0

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

Like

  • Truly fast charging
  • Large 120Hz refresh rate screen
  • NFC for contactless payments

Don’t like

  • Mixed photography
  • Short software update timeline

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G makes quite the first impression. OnePlus has stacked its $300 phone with features you simply don’t see at this price. 

The phone’s 108-megapixel main camera is the headline feature as far as the spec list is concerned, but the real star is the phone’s included 50-watt SuperVooc charger. In multiple tests, I got the OnePlus Nord N30 5G to recharge its 5,000-mAh battery from near-zero to roughly 75% in 30 minutes. It’s ludicrously fast, and similarly priced phones that max out at 15-watt charging speeds don’t come close.

Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

Despite the N30’s high megapixel count, the camera is what gives away that this is a cheaper phone. It falls prey to many of the same issues as other phones that cost $300 or less: Its photos look nice in daytime settings but they struggle with scenes that include lots of movement or low light.

The other issue isn’t with OnePlus so much as Google and its Pixel 6A, which has an excellent camera and consistently goes on sale for $300. But if photography isn’t a high priority for you in a cheaper phone, the OnePlus N30 has many perks to consider that the Pixel doesn’t. The N30 is only being sold in the US and Canada, but the $300 price roughly converts to £240, AU$440.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G on lock screen OnePlus Nord N30 5G on lock screen

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G costs $300.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

OnePlus Nord N30 5G design, specs

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G has an eye-catching design out of the box, accentuated by its two large camera bumps, its glossy back and a simple OnePlus logo. The result is flashy, and a bit of a fingerprint magnet. While the phone only comes in one color, phones at this price often sacrifice style, so it’s good to see OnePlus ignore that trend.

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G has a bright 6.72-inch, 120Hz refresh rate display with a 1080p resolution. The screen makes videos, games, apps and websites look great and animate smoothly. It runs on a midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor which pairs up nicely with the phone’s 8GB of memory to run most apps and games while allowing for multitasking.

Geekbench 6 testing

OnePlus Nord N30 5G 893 2037Moto G Power 5G 878 2206
  • Single-core
  • Multicore
Note: Higher scores are better

In our benchmark tests, the OnePlus’ score compares favorably to the Moto G Power. In real-world use, this isn’t a speedy phone, but it gets the job done.

The N30’s OxygenOS is a light customization on top of Android 13, which adds in a game mode that automatically disables notifications and shifts some resources for games. Like last year’s OnePlus N300, you aren’t going to crank out power-intensive graphics with this phone.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G's game mode OnePlus Nord N30 5G's game mode

A game mode can be turned on in OxygenOS, letting you turn off notifications and divert your phone’s resources toward powering a game.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

The N30 will only receive one software update to Android 14, along with three years of security updates. While this timeline matches what Motorola offers its Moto G phones, it’s still disappointing that budget phones often get shorter update timelines, especially when Samsung’s A-series phones often get longer support. Plus Google’s Pixel 6A, despite being a year old, has two more years of software updates and four more years of security updates remaining.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G with charging screen. OnePlus Nord N30 5G with charging screen.

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G supports 50-watt charging.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

OnePlus Nord N30 5G charging speed, battery

As I mentioned in the introduction, the N30’s 50-watt charging speed is easily the best feature of this phone. These are speeds that we typically see in Android phones that cost $650 or more. And there aren’t any Apple iPhone models that even come close to 50 watts right now.

A full recharge from near zero typically takes just 45 minutes, and with that you could completely forego overnight phone charging. The phone’s 5,000-mAh battery lasted me between a day and a half to two days of use on a single charge, depending on how heavy my usage was. On my weekdays with the phone, for instance, I was primarily using it while commuting, for video calls and light gaming, I easily made two days. But on a weekend trip to Washington, DC, with frequent camera use and texting, the phone’s battery needed a recharge midway through the weekend. 

OnePlus Nord N30 5G back of phone OnePlus Nord N30 5G back of phone

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G has a main 108-megapixel camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth-sensing camera.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

OnePlus Nord N30 5G cameras

Around back the phone are two camera bumps that house the phone’s main 108-megapixel camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth assist camera for portrait mode. There’s also a 16-megapixel front-facing camera housed in a punchout on the display.

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G’s 108-megapixel camera is simply not going to rival anything we see on more expensive phones. Despite that eye-popping resolution figure, software and processing power are a big reason why more-expensive phones capture great photos. 

DC Pride parade DC Pride parade

A scene from the Pride Parade in Washington, DC, taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

oneplus-nord-n30-5g-dc-pride-parade-3 oneplus-nord-n30-5g-dc-pride-parade-3

A scene from the Pride Parade in Washington, DC, taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

I took the N30 to the DC Pride Parade, and while the camera did a nice job capturing the colorful floats and people, it struggled keeping things in focus. Many of my photos have motion blur, while other more stable scenes retain detail. 

Drag queen at Metrobar. Drag queen at Metrobar.

During the nighttime drag show, a photo of a queen who was sitting directly in front of me still had trouble processing on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Performer at Metrobar in DC Performer at Metrobar in DC

A wider shot of the stage at Metrobar fared better, possibly due to the improved lighting for the performer.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Things took a turn for the worse when I tried to photograph an evening drag show at Metrobar. Even the phone’s night mode only offered a few additional enhancements to the festivities. 

I had better success using night mode on an empty dance floor, capturing the chairs and the decor of the room.

Suns Cinema without night mode Suns Cinema without night mode

Suns Cinema’s dance floor and cocktail area taken without night mode turned on. Shot with the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Suns Cinema photo with night mode Suns Cinema photo with night mode

Suns Cinema’s dance floor and cocktail area taken with night mode turned on. Shot with the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

The N30 shines the most with food photography and portrait mode photos. My meals from Purple Patch look as tasty as they actually were. Portraits taken with both the front and rear camera had a good bokeh effect.

Dinner at Purple Patch Dinner at Purple Patch

Pancit Bihon with pulled chicken adobo at Purple Patch, taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Biscuits and a potato salad. Biscuits and a potato salad.

Biscuits taken in a low-light environment at St. Anselm.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Portrait photo of Mike Sorrentino Portrait photo of Mike Sorrentino

A portrait mode photo taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Compared to photos shot on the $300 Moto G Power 5G, the OnePlus does a good job capturing detail. But the problem for the OnePlus is that the Pixel 6A — again, often discounted to $300 — runs circles around it. The Pixel 6A’s Tensor chip allows for better color depth, Real Tone for more accurate skin tones and a slew of photo enhancement options.

In my photo test using a grass wall in CNET’s office, both the Moto G Power 5G and the Pixel 6A captured the various shades of green on the wall, while the OnePlus seemed to struggle with sensing those differences.

Grass wall test Grass wall test

The grass wall taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Grass wall photo take on the Moto G Power 5G. Grass wall photo take on the Moto G Power 5G.

Grass wall photo taken on the Moto G Power 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Grass wall test Grass wall test

Grass wall test photo taken on Pixel 6A.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

When I tested the night mode on both the OnePlus and the Pixel using CNET’s dark TV lab area, the Pixel brightened up a lot of the image. By comparison, the OnePlus appears substantially darker.

TV lab test photo TV lab test photo

A section of the dark TV lab, taken using night mode on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

TV lab test TV lab test

A section of the dark TV lab, taken using night mode on the Pixel 6A.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Photos of my colleague Joseph Kaminski both look nice, but the Pixel version captures substantially more detail when zooming into the photo.

Joseph Kaminski Joseph Kaminski

Joseph Kaminski at CNET’s office, taken using the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Joseph Kaminski Joseph Kaminski

Joseph again, taken on the Pixel 6A.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Zoom in general is better on the Pixel. This photo of a plant taken using the 2x zoom option on the Pixel heartily outperforms the 3x zoom on the OnePlus.

Zoomed in flower Zoomed in flower

A zoomed-in flower, taken on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Flower photo test Flower photo test

A zoomed-in flower, taken on the Pixel 6A.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

Overall the OnePlus N30’s camera system performs well compared to other new phones in the $200 to $300 price range. But with the Pixel 6A’s price often dipping into that range, it’s now a competitive option that the OnePlus has to contend with, and the 108-megapixel camera isn’t yet enough.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G and its 50W charger. OnePlus Nord N30 5G and its 50W charger.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G and its powerful 50-watt charger.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

OnePlus Nord N30 5G bottom line

OnePlus deserves some serious credit for bringing specs to the Nord N30 5G that are unheard of at its price range. The fast charging speed is something that can be universally appreciated, and the effort to offer a 108-megapixel camera at this low of a price is impressive.

However the phone’s tradeoffs ultimately mean you should seriously compare it with the competition before buying. If you want more storage and care less about the camera, then the 256GB Moto G Power 5G (also $300) might be a better option. Or if you want a phone that takes better photos with more years of software and security support, then snag a Google Pixel 6A whenever it’s discounted to $300 from its $349 price.

But if the Pixel 6A isn’t on sale, and if a two-day battery life and a ludicrously fast recharge time are appealing, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a respectable option among its $300 peers.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Power 5G vs. Google Pixel 6A

OnePlus Nord N30 5G Moto G Power 5G (2023) Google Pixel 6A
Display size, resolution, refresh rate 6.72-inch; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 120Hz 6.5-inch LCD; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 120Hz 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60Hz
Pixel density 391 ppi 405 ppi 429 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in. 6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in
Dimensions (millimeters) 165.5 x 76 x 8.3mm 163 x 75 x 8.45 mm 152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 6.97 oz, 195 g 6.52 oz, 185 g 6.3 oz, 178 g
Mobile software Android 13 Android 13 Android 12
Camera 108-megapixel main, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth sensing 50-megapixel main, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth sensing 12.2-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide
Front-facing camera 16-megapixel 16-megapixel 8-megapixel
Video capture 1080p at 30fps 720p at 60 fps 4K
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 MediaTek Dimensity 930 Google Tensor
RAM, storage 8GB + 128GB 4GB + 128GB; 6GB + 256GB 6GB + 128GB
Expandable storage Yes Yes None
Battery, charger 5,000 mAh; 50W wired charging 5,000 mAh; 15W wired charging speed, 10W adapter included 4,410 mAh; 18W fast charging (adapter sold separately)
Fingerprint sensor Side Side Under display
Connector USB-C USB-C USB C
Headphone jack Yes Yes None
Special features 50W SuperVooc fast charging, 108-megapixel main camera, game mode, dual stereo speakers Estimated 38-hour battery life, Moto Gestures, stereo speakers 5G-enabled, 18W fast charging, WiFi 6E, security updates for 5 years, Android OS updates for 3 years, dual SIM, IP67 water resistance
Price off-contract (USD) $300 $300 $449 ($299 when on sale)
Price (GBP) Converts to £240 Converts to £240 £399
Price (AUD) Converts to AU$445 Converts to AU$445 A$749

How we test phones

Every phone tested by CNET’s reviews team was actually used in the real world. We test a phone’s features, play games and take photos. We examine the display to see if it’s bright, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and build to see how it is to hold and whether it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s performance to the extremes using both standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, along with our own anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution videos and playing graphically intense games at high refresh rates.

All the cameras are tested in a variety of conditions from bright sunlight to dark indoor scenes. We try out special features like night mode and portrait mode and compare our findings against similarly priced competing phones. We also check out the battery life by using it daily as well as running a series of battery drain tests.

We take into account additional features like support for 5G, satellite connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus support, fast charging speeds, foldable displays among others that can be useful. And we balance all of this against the price to give you the verdict on whether that phone, whatever price it is, actually represents good value.

Technologies

We Played Nintendo Switch 2: Mario, Donkey Kong, Mouse, Camera and a Lot More

Continue Reading

Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2: Every Reveal About the Console, New Games, Price, Release Date

The $450 console launches June 5, with Mario Kart World the highlight of its launch day game lineup.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console’s biggest reveal yet arrived Wednesday as part of the company’s latest Nintendo Direct event. This teed up a day of Switch 2 reveals that include its June 5 release date, a $450 price, its specs and its initial game lineup that extends from launch into 2026

The console will be further buoyed by having Mario Kart World as a launch title, which will go on sale in either a $500 bundle with the Switch 2 or on its own for $80 — making the open-world racing game one of Nintendo’s most expensive yet. Other games announced, such as Donkey Kong Bananza, are being priced around $70, which matches the cost of 2023’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That Zelda game and Breath of the Wild are among the original Switch titles that will get enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, a premium upgrade allowing players to get new features, modes and graphical enhancements that take advantage of the newer system’s capabilities. 

Here are the top highlights from Nintendo’s console event, all of the games we’ve heard about so far (including new titles, Nintendo Switch 2 Editions and GameCube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online) and all of our coverage so far. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog for even more updates about the Switch 2 as we learn them. 

Nintendo Switch 2 console

The Nintendo Switch 2’s specs saw a noticeable technical bump over the Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch, 1080p resolution LCD that supports a 120Hz refresh rate — matching what we now see on most Android phones. When the Switch 2 is docked, compatible games can run in 4K resolution. The new dock also includes a cooling fan. 

The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, and the new Switch 2 Game Cards will load games faster. For digital libraries, however, the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards, which are different from the microSD cards that are compatible with the prior Nintendo Switch. Nintendo will have a Software Transfer feature available to help move games and data from the original Switch to the Switch 2.

The new Joy-Con for the controllers will support mouse controls, and a new C button will be part of a new GameChat communication feature that allows both voice and video chat. There’s also a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing players to see each other.

The Switch 2 also adds a second USB-C port to the top of the system, which Nintendo says can help connect its new camera accessory or charge the console when playing in tabletop mode. Nintendo also revealed a new Switch 2 Pro Controller with the C button and customizable GL and GR buttons on the back.

Following the presentation, Nintendo unveiled the system’s price of $450 in the US. It will also sell the Switch 2 bundled with a digital version of Mario Kart World for $500.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World removes its traditional boundaries and lets drivers roam freely across an entire world of race courses. The game will get its own Nintendo Direct later this month, where we’ll see additional details, but we already know it’ll include traditional races and a Free Roam mode, much like in the Forza Horizon series. 

Getting the game bundled for an extra $50 on the cost of the Switch 2 might be the move if you are interested in the game, because Nintendo announced on its website that standalone copies of Mario Kart World will cost $80

Joy-Con 2 C button and GameChat

Nintendo’s rolling out its new C button across several new Switch 2 controllers. The button will be used for the new GameChat communication features without a headset. The button will be used alongside a microphone on the console itself, which Nintendo says can be used whether it’s docked to a TV or in handheld mode. 

In its teaser video, Nintendo promises the microphone will be able to cancel out loud background noises. GameChat will also work with a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing video chat and various camera-based game modes in supported titles. GameChat will be free at launch through March 31, 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games upgrade titles

The Nintendo Switch 2 will play three types of games: original Switch games, Switch 2 games and Switch 2 Edition games that will receive substantial enhancements. For many of these Switch 2 Edition games, you’ll need to buy an upgrade pack if you own the original for Switch. Many of them will get more than just enhanced graphics in the upgrade; for example, Super Mario Party Jamboree will get new games that support the new Joy-Cons’ mouse controls, audio recognition and video camera gameplay options through the Switch 2 Camera. 

Other Nintendo Switch games that are getting Switch 2 Edition options include The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Enhancements vary: The Zelda games will start working with a companion phone app for maps and sending schematics to friends, while Kirby will get a new story that’s exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. On the third-party side, Civilization 7 will get mouse controls.

Nintendo did not announce what upgrade packs will cost. However, some Switch games will get free updates that will improve performance or enhance features when playing them on the Switch 2. The Switch games getting these updates include:

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a new game set in the world of Zelda that tells the story that leads into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This appears to be similar to how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity told the story of a war that led to the events of Breath of the Wild. The teaser shows Zelda discovering that she’s arrived in the past of Hyrule, and the game will expand on how she gets involved in the corresponding Imprisonment War.

Nintendo Switch 2 games

Several other first- and third-party games were spotlighted during the Switch 2 Direct. These include Donkey Bananza, one of the first 3D platforming games featuring DK since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Kirby will also return to the racing genre in Kirby Air Riders, which comes more than 20 years after the GameCube racer Kirby’s Air Ride. DragXDrive will use mouse controls to control a futuristic wheelchair basketball game in which players will simulate push and pull motions to control their character.

An onslaught of Switch 2 third-party games were quickly shuffled through during the Direct, which I list below. An unnamed James Bond game is in development at Hitman studio IO Interactive, as is a darker title from Elden Ring creator FromSoftware called The Duskbloods, which will be exclusive to the Switch 2. 

The full list of announced Nintendo Switch 2 games includes:

  • Borderlands 4
  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
  • Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
  • Deltarune
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Drag x Drive
  • EA Sports FC
  • EA Sports Madden NFL
  • Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
  • Enter the Gungeon 2
  • Fast Fusion
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
  • Fortnite
  • Hades 2
  • Hitman World of Assassination — Signature Edition
  • Hogwarts Legacy
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
  • Kirby Air Riders
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Star-Crossed World
  • Kunitsu-Gai: Path of the Goddess
  • Mario Kart World
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • NBA 2K
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
  • Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Project 007
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Split Fiction
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
  • Street Fighter 6
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Jamboree TV
  • Survival Kids
  • The Duskbloods
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4
  • WWE 2K
  • Yakuza 0 Definitive Edition

Among these titles, you can see the full list of June 5 Switch 2 launch day games here.

Nintendo GameCube library coming to Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch Online game library will add GameCube games to the Switch 2. On launch day, these games will initially include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur 2 and F-Zero GX, with each game getting enhanced graphics. Online multiplayer will also be added to certain titles. Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Strikers and Luigi’s Mansion are among the games set to arrive later. At launch, Nintendo will also sell a GameCube controller, which will be wireless and include a C button for GameChat.

Continue Reading

Technologies

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Deals: Enjoy $300 Off Unlocked Models and Even More With Trade-Ins

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Verum World Media