The OnePlus Nord 4: A Mid-Range Marvel or Just Another Discount Darling?

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of modern life, but with flagship prices soaring past the $1,000 mark, budget-conscious consumers are increasingly turning to mid-range devices that offer premium features without the premium price tag. Enter the OnePlus Nord 4, a device that has been making waves not just for its specs but for its aggressive price cuts—dropping faster than a Black Friday shopper at a flat-screen TV sale.
Launched in July 2024 at Rs 29,999, the Nord 4 has since seen multiple price slashes, bringing it down to Rs 24,999—and even lower with bank discounts. But is this just a clever marketing ploy to lure in deal-hunters, or does the Nord 4 genuinely deliver flagship-level performance at a fraction of the cost? Let’s break it down like a forensic accountant dissecting a suspiciously good sale.
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The Price Plunge: Too Good to Be True?

OnePlus has always played the “flagship killer” card well, but the Nord 4 takes it a step further by aggressively undercutting competitors like the Nothing Phone (2a) and Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Originally priced at Rs 29,999, the phone has seen multiple discounts, especially during Amazon’s Great Republic Day sale, where bank offers from SBI and ICICI slash the price to as low as Rs 24,749.
But here’s the real question: Why the steep drop? Is OnePlus clearing inventory for a newer model, or is this a calculated move to dominate the mid-range market? Some industry watchers speculate that OnePlus is trying to regain market share after losing ground to Chinese rivals like Realme and Xiaomi. Others argue that the Nord 4’s initial pricing was inflated, and these “discounts” are just corrections to its true value. Either way, shoppers are winning—for now.
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Specs That (Almost) Rival a Flagship

1. Performance: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3—A Mid-Range Powerhouse

The Nord 4 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, a chipset that punches above its weight. Benchmark tests show it delivers 85% of the performance of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2—the processor found in phones twice its price. With up to 16GB RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, multitasking is buttery smooth, and app load times are nearly indistinguishable from premium devices.

2. Display: 120Hz OLED with Aqua Touch

OnePlus didn’t skimp on the screen. The 6.74-inch 1.5K OLED panel boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, 2150 nits peak brightness, and Aqua Touch technology (which means you can use it even with wet fingers—handy for those who text in the rain). Compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s AMOLED, the Nord 4’s display is brighter and more responsive, making it ideal for gamers and binge-watchers.

3. Battery & Camera: No Compromises?

A 5500mAh battery with 100W fast charging means you can juice up from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. That’s a rare find in this price bracket. The 50MP Sony LYTIA main camera also impresses, especially in low light, though it still falls short of the Pixel 7a’s computational photography. Still, for social media snaps, it’s more than enough.
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The Catch: Where OnePlus Cut Corners

No phone is perfect, and the Nord 4 has its share of trade-offs:
– No wireless charging – A baffling omission, given that even budget phones like the POCO F5 offer it.
– Plastic frame (despite the “metal unibody” claim) – The sides are aluminum, but the back is polycarbonate. Not a dealbreaker, but not as premium as advertised.
– No IP68 rating – It’s only IP54, meaning it can handle splashes but not full submersion.
– OxygenOS bloatware – OnePlus’s software has gotten heavier over the years, and some pre-installed apps can’t be uninstalled.
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Final Verdict: Should You Bite?

The OnePlus Nord 4 is a textbook example of “you get what you pay for”—except in this case, you might be getting a little more. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, 120Hz OLED, and 100W charging are features typically found in phones priced Rs 10,000 higher, making the Nord 4 a steal at its current discounted rate.
However, if wireless charging, an IP68 rating, or a clean software experience are must-haves, you might want to wait for the Nothing Phone (3) or stretch your budget for a Pixel 8a. But for everyone else? The Nord 4 is a near-perfect mid-ranger—especially if you snag it during a flash sale.
One thing’s for sure: OnePlus isn’t just playing the discount game—it’s rewriting the rules. And if this trend continues, the competition better watch their wallets.