The One Plus Nord 2 5G arrived in July 2021 as the brand’s bid to bring genuinely fast performance and a clean software experience to the mid-range, and years on it remains an interesting reference point for buyers comparing affordable 5G phones. Built around the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 and paired with a 90Hz Fluid AMOLED panel, it was one of the first OnePlus devices to lean on MediaTek silicon rather than Qualcomm, and it made that gamble pay off.
This article breaks down what the Nord 2 5G actually delivers in everyday use, where it still holds up, and where its age shows. Rather than restating the spec sheet line by line, the focus here is on value, real-world behavior, and which type of buyer this phone makes sense for in a market now crowded with newer rivals.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – EU |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 – IN | |
| 5G bands: | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA – EU |
| 1, 3, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA – IN | |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
Launch
| Announced: | 2021, July 22 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight: | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type: | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size: | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Platform
| OS: | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Chipset: | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| CPU: | Octa-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU: | Mali-G77 MC9 |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Triple: | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Features: | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm |
| Features: | Auto HDR |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Charging: | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
Misc
| Colors: | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models: | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price: | € 152.99 / $ 224.34 / £ 97.99 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display: | 633 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera: | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker: | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 102h |
Price and Availability
The One Plus Nord 2 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €153, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the One Plus Nord 2 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 21, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $175
- Japan: ¥28,293
- United Kingdom: £133
- Australia: A$250
- Canada: C$248
- Taiwan: NT$5,550
- Denmark: kr1.142
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼658
- South Korea: ₩268,696
- Germany: €153
- Brazil: R$904
- Vietnam: ₫4.613.012
- Kenya: KSh 22,741
- India: ₹16,551
- Indonesia: Rp 3.118.239
- Nigeria: ₦236,507
- Pakistan: ₨48,863
- Philippines: ₱10,652
- Bangladesh: ৳২১,৫৫৫
Where the Nord 2 5G Sits on Value
Launched at roughly €152.99 / $224.34 / £97.99 in current converted terms, the Nord 2 5G targets shoppers who want flagship-adjacent responsiveness without flagship pricing. Its standout proposition is the combination of a flexible 90Hz AMOLED display, a capable flagship-tier-for-its-class chipset, and 65W charging, a feature set that many phones at this price still cannot match together. For anyone hunting a secondhand or clearance unit, that mix makes it a strong budget pick rather than just a stopgap.
Design and Build Quality
At 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm and 189 g, the Nord 2 5G is comfortably compact by modern standards and easy to use one-handed. OnePlus wrapped it in Gorilla Glass 5 front and back with a plastic frame, a sensible choice that keeps weight down while still feeling more premium than all-plastic competitors. The colorways, including Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, and a collectible Pac-Man Edition, gave the lineup personality that few rivals offered.
Display Experience
The 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED screen runs at 1080 x 2400 (around 409 ppi) with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Independent testing measured peak brightness near 633 nits, which is enough for comfortable indoor use and readable outdoor visibility in most conditions. The 85.6% screen-to-body ratio and smooth scrolling make the panel feel considerably more expensive than the price suggests, and AMOLED contrast keeps video and dark-mode interfaces looking crisp.
Performance and Gaming
The Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) with its Cortex-A78 prime core and Mali-G77 MC9 GPU was the heart of the Nord 2 5G’s appeal. AnTuTu scores of roughly 512,164 (v8) and 598,022 (v9), a GeekBench 5.1 result near 2,792, and around 38fps in GFXBench’s ES 3.1 onscreen test confirm it punches above its segment. Paired with UFS 3.1 storage and up to 12GB RAM, it handles multitasking and most games at high settings without trouble. The lack of a microSD slot is the main caveat, so picking adequate internal storage at purchase matters.
Camera Capability
A 50 MP f/1.9 main sensor with OIS leads the triple rear setup, supported by an 8 MP ultrawide and a 2 MP depth unit. The large 1/1.56-inch primary sensor captures detailed, well-exposed daytime shots and benefits from optical stabilization for steadier low-light frames and video. Recording tops out at 4K@30fps with gyro-EIS, while the 32 MP front camera handles selfies and 1080p video. It is a main-camera-first system, so the ultrawide and depth sensors are best treated as situational extras.
Battery and Charging
The 4,500 mAh battery delivers solid all-day endurance, reflected in an older endurance rating around 102 hours. The real headline is 65W wired charging, which OnePlus rates at a full 100% in roughly 30 minutes. For users who forget to charge overnight, a few minutes on the cable restores meaningful runtime, a genuine convenience advantage over slower-charging budget phones.
Software and Connectivity
The Nord 2 5G shipped on Android 11 and is upgradable to Android 13 with OxygenOS 13, offering a clean, responsive interface. Connectivity is well-rounded for the class: dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD, NFC, broad GPS support including NavIC, stereo speakers, and USB-C. Buyers should note the omissions, namely no 3.5mm headphone jack and no FM radio, which are worth weighing if wired audio matters to you.
Who Should Buy the Nord 2 5G
This phone suits value-focused buyers who prioritize smooth performance, a quality AMOLED screen, and rapid charging over the latest software updates or expandable storage. It is an especially smart choice on the used or discounted market for students, secondary-device users, or anyone wanting reliable 5G and gaming on a tight budget.
Conclusion
The One Plus Nord 2 5G remains a well-balanced mid-ranger whose 90Hz AMOLED display, Dimensity 1200 performance, and 65W fast charging continue to outclass much of its price bracket. Its compromises, no microSD, no headphone jack, and an aging update cycle, are reasonable trade-offs at this cost. If you can find one at or below its current converted price and don’t need the newest Android version, it is an easy recommendation as a fast, dependable budget 5G phone.
