OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: Is This Budget Camera Phone Worth It?
Brief overview of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is the latest addition to the Nord series of smartphones from OnePlus. It is marketed as a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance, making it an attractive option for consumers who are looking for a smartphone that won’t break the bank but still offers quality features.
In today’s world, smartphones have become a necessity for most people, and having a reliable and feature-rich device is essential. However, with so many smartphones on the market, it can be challenging to find one that is affordable and still performs well. That’s where the OnePlus Nord N20 SE comes in.
The importance of finding a budget-friendly smartphone that still performs well cannot be overstated. Many people simply cannot afford to spend a significant amount of money on a high-end smartphone, and even those who can may not want to. With the OnePlus Nord N20 SE, consumers can have a smartphone that offers a good balance between price and performance. But is it worth the investment? Let’s find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Nord N20 SE boasts a modern and sleek design that is similar to its predecessors in the Nord series. It has a large 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) display with a hole-punch camera cutout in the top left corner. The back of the phone has a glossy finish and a rectangular camera module that houses the dual-lens setup.
In terms of materials, the Nord N20 SE has a plastic frame and back panel, which provides a good balance between durability and weight. While plastic may not have the same premium feel as glass, it is less prone to cracking or shattering if dropped, making it a practical choice for those who prioritize durability.
The build quality of the Nord N20 SE is impressive for a phone in its price range. The plastic back panel is smooth and doesn’t creak or flex under pressure, and the buttons and ports are well-placed and responsive. The phone has a good weight distribution and feels comfortable to hold in the hand.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE has a modern and well-built design that should be able to withstand daily use. The plastic back panel and dual-lens camera setup may not be as premium as some of the higher-end smartphones on the market, but they offer a good balance between price and functionality.
Display
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE features a large 6.56 inches display with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. The pixel density of ~269 ppi ensures that images and text are sharp and clear. The display also has a ~84.2% screen-to-body ratio, which provides a more immersive viewing experience for video content.
One of the standout features of the display on the Nord N20 SE is its 90Hz refresh rate. This is an improvement over the standard 60Hz refresh rate found on most smartphones in this price range, and it makes scrolling and navigating through the phone feel smoother and more fluid. It also improves the overall visual experience when watching videos or playing games.
The display on the Nord N20 SE also supports HDR10, which provides a wider range of colors and a more dynamic contrast range. This means that images and videos look more vibrant and detailed, with deeper blacks and brighter whites. HDR10 support is not typically found on budget smartphones, so it is a welcome addition to the Nord N20 SE.
Overall, the display on the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is one of its strongest features. The high refresh rate and HDR10 support make for an impressive visual experience, while the large size and high resolution ensure that content looks sharp and clear.
Specs and Performance
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is powered by the Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) chipset, which is a mid-range processor that offers solid performance for day-to-day use. It has an Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) CPU. The phone also has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users.
In terms of real-world performance, the Nord N20 SE handles most tasks with ease. Apps open quickly, and there is no noticeable lag when multitasking or switching between apps. Basic games also run smoothly, although more demanding games may experience some slowdown or dropped frames.
One notable feature of the Nord N20 SE is its 5G connectivity. This allows for faster download and upload speeds, as long as you are in an area with 5G coverage. The phone also has a large Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable battery that should easily last a full day of use, even with heavy usage.
One potential performance issue with the Nord N20 SE is that it lacks a high refresh rate display, which may make it less appealing to gamers or those who prioritize a smooth visual experience. Additionally, while the Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) is a solid mid-range processor, it may not be powerful enough for users who need a device that can handle more intensive tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering.
Overall, the performance of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is solid for a mid-range smartphone. Its 5G connectivity and large battery make it a practical choice for those who prioritize speed and longevity, while the Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) chipset and 4GB of RAM provide good performance for most day-to-day tasks.
Camera performance and features
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE features a dual rear camera setup, which includes a 50MP primary sensor camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The camera app is easy to use and offers various shooting modes, including Nightscape, Portrait, and Pro mode. The primary sensor produces sharp and detailed images with good color accuracy, although the dynamic range is somewhat limited, and images can sometimes appear overexposed in bright light conditions.
The depth sensor allows for better portrait shots by adding bokeh effects to the background, but it can sometimes struggle with edge detection.
The video recording capabilities of the Nord N20 SE are decent, with support for up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. The camera app also includes a variety of video recording modes, including slow-motion and time-lapse.
Camera sample
Overall, the camera quality of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is decent for a budget smartphone. While it may not match the camera performance of high-end devices, it still produces sharp and detailed images with good color accuracy, and the various shooting modes and features provide enough flexibility for most users.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is a generous size for a budget smartphone. With moderate usage, the battery can easily last for a full day, and even heavy usage should get most users through a workday without needing to recharge.
The phone supports 33W wired, 50% in 34 min, 100% in 69 min (advertised) fast charging, which allows the battery to be charged quickly. The included charger can fully charge the battery in around 2 hours.
Overall, the battery life of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is impressive for a budget smartphone, and the fast charging and power-saving features make it even more convenient to use on a daily basis.
Price and Value
In the Philippines, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE has a competitive price point for a budget smartphone, retailing between PHP 7,990 and PHP 9,990.00 depending on the variant. Compared to similar devices in its price range, such as the Realme 8 Pro, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and Huawei nova 9 SE the Nord N20 SE offers comparable or better features and performance, making it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. If you’d like to buy this product, it’s available for purchase on LAZADA.
For its price, the Nord N20 SE boasts impressive specs, including a large 6.56 inches display with a high refresh rate, a capable Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. The camera setup is also decent, with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, and the battery life is excellent thanks to the 5000mAh battery and power-saving features.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE offers great value for its price in the Philippines, offering a solid combination of features, performance, and build quality. While it may not match the specs of more expensive flagship devices, it is a great option for those looking for a reliable and capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE has several notable strengths that make it a compelling option for those looking for a budget smartphone. These include:
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a solid budget smartphone that offers good value for its price. It has several notable strengths, including impressive battery life, a decent camera setup, solid build quality, a large display, and good value for its price. While it has some weaknesses, such as limited performance and RAM, it is still capable of handling most day-to-day tasks with ease.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that still performs well in most day-to-day tasks. It may not be the most powerful or feature-rich smartphone on the market, but it offers solid performance, good value, and a sleek design, making it a solid choice for those on a budget.
