OnePlus Nord N20 5G review

The competition

The Nord N20 is only available in the US, so we'll try to show you some competitors that can be purchased States-side, whether it's from a wireless carrier or imported on Amazon. At $282 ($290 @ Metro), this smartphone falls under the $300 price point - a fiercely competitive bracket in the US' prepaid market, especially one that's actively converting smartphone users to 5G handsets.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G • Samsung Galaxy A53 5G • Apple iPhone SE (2022) • Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)

At T-Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is priced the same as the Nord N20 and the Samsung device is outdone in nearly every category. The Nord comes with a brighter and higher-res AMOLED screen, faster charging, more RAM on the base model, and a 64MP main camera. The A32 does have an ultrawide camera, however, and supports 4K recording, unlike the Nord.

The Galaxy A53 5G is a more viable option. Though it's listed at $450, it can be had for cheaper through carrier promotions. This one is a better match to the Nord N20 with a Super AMOLED screen and large 5,000 mAh battery. It also has a more capable camera setup with OIS, ultrawide camera, and a higher resolution 32MP selfie camera. Plus, the A53 comes with IP67 water resistance and 120Hz refresh rate.

If you're looking for a cheap smartphone in the US, chances are you've considered the cheapest iPhone as well. The iPhone SE (2022) is definitely an option - at $399, however, the value is not up to par with some well-equipped budget Android phones. Abysmal battery life is part of owning one of these iPhones, but Apple's strong ecosystem of apps and hardware, as well as its camera prowess (supports up to 4K@60fps video) make it worth considering if you prioritize these things over battery life. Plus, the newest SE supports 5G networks now.

Best Buy sells the Moto G Stylus for $280, though this one does not support 5G networks and uses an LCD display. Moto is known to use water-repellent coatings on most of the smartphones that aren't officially IP-rated. Otherwise, it has a similarly equipped camera complete with an ultrawide shooter. Plus, it has a handy stylus built in.

Xiaomi Poco F3 • Xiaomi 11T • Realme GT Master • Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G • Honor Magic4 Lite

There is so much more competition for this device outside of the US, where it's sold as both the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, and the Oppo Reno7 Z 5G as rebranded carbon copies. It is also sold as the Oppo A95 in China (though, with one less camera). Here are some competitors outside the US that sadly aren't officially supported with US carriers but your mileage may vary: Xiaomi Poco F3, Xiaomi 11T, Realme GT Master, Poco X4, and Honor Magic4 Lite.

Verdict

In the context of the US market, OnePlus is in a great position with T-Mobile and Metro to be offering smartphones in its Nord lineup that are well-equipped and intended for the pre-paid market. The Nord N20 brings a great AMOLED screen with in-display scanner, excellent battery life, all packed in an attractive and sleek plastic body.

Although the phone comes with the older Android 11, OxygenOS 12 is not a fan-favorite among users due to OnePlus and Oppo's altering of the UI's formula. It is not confirmed whether the Nord 20 will be updated to Android 13 - this is when OnePlus promised it would revert the changes it made to OxygenOS.

Overall, the Nord N20 is a well-equipped device with enough features to satisfy the above-average smartphone user. It plays games very well - with minimal throttling - and it yields excellent battery life. Not to mention, it charges up very quickly thanks to the included SuperVOOC charger.

This display, although not a high-refresh rate one, is still brighter and produces a nicer image than equivalent LCD panels in this class. To wrap it all up, the Nord N20's Snapdragon 695 also brings 5G to this affordable price point.

There is no shortage of devices to choose from in this segment outside the US, but if you're buying from the carrier within the US, and that carrier happens to be T-Mobile or Metro, and you have a strict budget of $300 or less, then the Nord N20 5G should be one of your top choices for a 5G phone in this the price bracket.

Pros

• Vibrant and bright display.
• Lightweight and sleek design.
• Great chipset performance with excellent thermal management.
• Wonderful battery life and support for fast charging.

Cons

• No high refresh rate mode.
• Lacks ultra-wide camera and 4K video recording.
• Single loudspeaker is unimpressive.
• Succeeding version of OxygenOS is in limbo with ColorOS.