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OnePlus Nord CE4 5G Review 2025: Best Phone Under 20000?
Last updated 12th November 2025
Choosing a smartphone under ₹20,000 today can feel overwhelming with so many options promising speed, style, and performance. Yet, few manage to deliver the complete package without cutting corners. That’s where the OnePlus Nord CE4 5G steps in. It blends premium design, smooth performance, and long-term reliability into a single, well-balanced device. After using it for a week, here’s how it fares in real-world use across design, display, gaming, camera, and battery life.
First Impressions: Premium Yet Practical
The Nord CE4 makes a great first impression. The Dark Chrome finish gives it a premium feel, and the curved edges make it easy to hold. At 8.5mm thick, it is slightly heavier than older Nord models but feels more solid thanks to the larger 5500mAh battery.
OnePlus claims the phone survived a 1.5-meter marble drop test, and it feels tough enough to handle regular knocks. The glossy frame and minimal camera bump make it look pricier than its actual cost.
Display & Entertainment Quality
You get a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Colors look rich, motion is smooth, and the overall contrast is excellent. Watching Netflix or YouTube feels enjoyable, and the dual stereo speakers deliver clear and balanced sound.
With a peak brightness of over 1,100 nits, outdoor visibility is strong even in sunlight. Whether you are watching videos or playing games, this display outperforms most other phones in its segment.
Performance and Gaming Experience
This is where the Nord CE4 truly shines. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, making it one of the most powerful phones under ₹20,000. Apps open instantly, multitasking feels effortless, and there is no noticeable lag.
In gaming, it performs beyond expectation. Call of Duty, BGMI, and Asphalt 9 all ran smoothly on high settings with minimal heat, aided by the vapor cooling system.
If you are comparing the best gaming phones under 20000, check out this guide on Fayorax. The Nord CE4 easily stays near the top.
Benchmark Scores
| Benchmark | Score (Typical Range) |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) | ~1,140 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | ~3,070 |
| AnTuTu (v10) | ~823,000 |
Battery and Charging
Battery life is one of the Nord CE4’s biggest advantages. The 5500mAh cell supports 100W SUPERVOOC charging that fills it from 1% to 100% in about 30 minutes. That is faster than anything else in this price segment.
With everyday use (social media, streaming, camera, and browsing), it lasts around a day and a half. The Smart Charging 4.0 system learns your charging routine to reduce heating and extend battery health.
A quick 10-minute charge gives about 7 hours of power, which is incredibly handy for travelers and busy users.
Camera Quality
The Nord CE4 features a 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Photos in daylight turn out sharp with good detail and balanced colors. Low-light results are surprisingly good for a budget phone, especially with Night Mode.
OIS helps stabilize both photos and videos. Portraits look clean, though edge detection can sometimes struggle with tricky backgrounds. For everyday use or social media uploads, the results are reliable.
For photography enthusiasts, you can compare it with the newer model in the OnePlus Nord CE5 5G review. However, the CE4 still offers better overall value.
Software and User Experience
The Nord CE4 runs OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14 and is upgradable to OxygenOS 15. The interface is clean, fast, and nearly free from bloatware. You also get gesture customization, an ambient display, and app hiding features.
An AI-based system optimizes memory and background apps for consistent long-term performance. OnePlus promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches, which gives this phone a good lifespan for buyers in this segment.
Enthusiasts can also check its chipset ranking in this smartphone processor list, where it sits just below flagship-level silicon.
Durability and Build Quality
Despite being a mid-range device, the Nord CE4 feels very solid. The polycarbonate back with an aluminum frame offers a nice balance of durability and comfort. It is splash-resistant but lacks an official IP rating, meaning it can handle light rain or sweat but not full water immersion.
The claim of surviving a 1.5-meter drop test seems realistic. The phone feels sturdy, and with the lifetime display warranty OnePlus offers, long-term usage feels secure.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent AMOLED display | Only IP54 splash resistant, not fully waterproof |
| Smooth OxygenOS performance | Average ultra-wide camera quality |
| Very fast 100W charging | No stereo microphone setup (dual mics, but not true stereo recording) |
| Strong build and clean design | Slightly heavier feel, though still manageable at 186g |
Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord CE4 5G?
Yes, absolutely. Priced around ₹18,999, the OnePlus Nord CE4 5G offers exceptional value for money. It combines a premium look with powerful features typically found in higher-priced phones.
The standout features are the ultra-fast 100W charging, a large 5,500 mAh battery, a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, and reliable performance from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor.
The main compromises are an average ultra-wide camera and the basic IP54 splash resistance rating. However, these small trade-offs are minor compared to the overall strong performance and value proposition, making it a top recommendation for budget-conscious buyers.
Who it’s for:
- Gamers looking for smooth and stable performance
- Professionals who prefer clean and fast software
- Users who value long battery life and quick charging
Who it’s not for:
- Serious photographers wanting higher dynamic range
- Users seeking wireless charging or full IP protection
At ₹18,999, the OnePlus Nord CE4 5G stands as one of the most balanced all-rounders in 2025.
Check Latest Price
Note: The price listed here is ₹18,999 as of November 12, 2025. Prices may vary due to promotions, stock availability, or retail differences. Please check the current price on the retailer's site before purchasing to avoid any surprises.
Nord CE4 vs Other Budget Gaming Phones
While the Nord CE4 offers excellent balance, competitive gamers may want a closer look at other options in this price range. Our detailed comparison of the OnePlus Nord CE4 vs iQOO Neo 10R 5G highlights differences in processor performance, display brightness, charging speeds, and gaming stability to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| RAM / Storage | 8GB + 128GB (expandable) |
| Battery | 5500mAh with 100W SUPERVOOC |
| Rear Camera | 50MP main + 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Operating System | OxygenOS 14.1 (Android 14) |
| Price | ₹18,999 |
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus Nord CE4 5G perfectly embodies what a true Core Edition should deliver a focus on real-world performance, dependable software, and thoughtful design without unnecessary compromises. It hits that sweet spot between everyday usability and power, offering faster charging, reliable gaming, and a clean OxygenOS experience that few competitors match in this range.
For users seeking a balanced smartphone under ₹20,000, the Nord CE4 5G feels like the most complete and future-proof choice. It may not boast every flagship feature, but it gets the fundamentals right and that’s what truly matters.
Published 12th November 2025
About the Author
Lightning MQ | Content Writer
Hi! I’m a developer, content writer, and product reviewer with over three years of experience. I enjoy exploring the latest technology, testing product and gadgets, and sharing clear, honest insights. My goal is to help readers make informed decisions while keeping tech easy, fun, and approachable.