OnePlus is launching its subsequent mid-range telephone in Milan subsequent week, however the firm has already revealed what it’ll appear to be.
The upcoming Nord 4 is an enormous shift in design for the handset, ditching the plastic body of the Nord 3 for a steel unibody design that immediately stands out from the gang. As OnePlus says, it’s “the primary all steel smartphone of the 5G period”.
Quite a bit to love
Upon getting the telephone out of the field, the very first thing I observed was how premium it feels. If I wasn’t aware of telephones and also you’d informed me it was a flagship handset, I’d have believed you.
The shift to aluminium throughout the again and sides of the telephone means it’s heavier than your common mid-range telephone, however means it’s much less prone to fall out of your hand consequently. Even when it does, the additional sturdiness in comparison with a glass-backed gadget means I’d be assured it it surviving most drops unscathed.
One other profit is the improved grip, which suggests I can comfortably use the Nord 4 with out a case. There’s no want for an ugly case that always takes away from the telephone’s enticing design.
I significantly just like the steel end on the Obsidian Midnight model I’ve in for overview, which seems to be distinctive and complicated with out the necessity for garish colors.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
But it surely’s not all excellent news
Nevertheless, the OnePlus Nord 4’s design doesn’t impress me in all areas.
The large drawback I’ve is the two-tone end on the again, which suggests there’s panel of glass throughout the highest quarter of the telephone. It’s much like early Google telephones, as much as and together with the Pixel 3 in 2018.
It seems to be good sufficient, however the reflectivity causes two points. First, it implies that part of the telephone acts like a mirror. I don’t learn about you, however I don’t need to stare at myself each time I choose up my telephone.
Additionally, it’s the one a part of the gadget that picks up seen fingerprint smudges, which appeared inside seconds of me choosing it up. When you don’t want a case for sturdiness, you may want one to maintain the glass in a presentable situation. This might simply have been averted by giving the glass a matt end.
In fact, design is just one small a part of the general smartphone expertise. The Nord 4’s new construct has extra strengths than weaknesses, however in the end, whether or not we are able to suggest it’s going to depend upon how the telephone performs in different areas.
Look out for our full overview of the Nord 4 as soon as it launches on 16 July, the place it’ll be joined by a brand new pill, smartwatch and wi-fi earbuds.