The first digicam struggles with high-contrast scenes, so the sky is usually blown out within the background, although it could nonetheless take some respectable photographs in even lighting. When the solar will get low, you need to use the Evening mode to take higher low-light photographs, however the colours are off and issues nonetheless find yourself somewhat blurry until you will have a surgeon’s palms and might keep actually nonetheless. Selfies are sometimes over-brightened, although my facial options are fairly darn sharp, which is sweet.
OnePlus reveals off a 3X zoom mode within the digicam app, however that is technically simply digital zoom utilizing the 108-megapixel digicam. As a result of there is no optical picture stabilization, you may end up retaking photographs as a result of the primary one is nearly at all times blurry. OnePlus might name it a “lossless zoom,” however these photographs have an over-sharpened look to them. Nonetheless, it is good to have the choice to zoom in somewhat bit extra and get higher outcomes than lots of its friends. As for the macro digicam, do not get me began. I did not like every of the photographs it captured.
Then there’s the software program. OnePlus has tweaked the Android 13 interface a lot that I do not take pleasure in utilizing it as a lot because the interface on Motorola, Google, and Samsung telephones. It additionally would not assist that the corporate matches Motorola on software updates, promising just one OS replace (to Android 14) and three years of safety updates. When you possibly can’t get any new options after Android 15 rolls round subsequent 12 months, it will really feel outdated.
The year-old Google Pixel 6A recurrently goes on sale for lower than $300 and can get software updates for longer. So will the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, which steadily dips to $375. Each have a digicam system that is leaps and bounds nicer than the OnePlus, with better software, AMOLED screens, and IP67 water resistance. (The Nord N30 isn’t water-resistant.)
If the dearth of software program updates is not a barrier, you need a headphone jack and a microSD slot, and the two-day battery life is extra essential than digicam high quality, then you definitely’ll be pleased with the Nord N30 5G. However I believe OnePlus may stand to maintain its funds handsets up to date somewhat longer, and it wants to return to the drafting board with its cameras. (Fewer megapixels and higher picture processing, possibly?) There are simply too many higher choices on the market—particularly final 12 months’s flagship telephones that creep down in worth, just like the OnePlus 10 Pro, which is at present on sale for $150 more than the Nord.
