The OnePlus Nord CE 4, launched in late 2023, is part of OnePlus' "Core Edition" lineup, offering a balance between features and affordability. It boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, 5G support, and a 50MP triple-camera setup. The Nord CE 4 is designed to offer the premium experience of OnePlus devices at a lower price, focusing on essentials without the frills of flagship phones.
While the OnePlus Nord CE 4 has been generally well-received, it is not without its issues and bugs. In this article, we will cover the most common problems faced by users and assess whether the Nord CE 4 is still a worthy purchase, or if better alternatives exist.
1. Display Issues: Touch Responsiveness and Screen Flicker
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 delivers sharp visuals and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making it a key selling point. However, some users have encountered problems with the display’s touch responsiveness and flickering issues.
Common display problems include:
- Touch responsiveness: In certain areas of the screen, users have noticed delayed or unregistered touches, particularly when gaming or typing.
- Screen flickering: Flickering at low brightness levels has been reported, especially when the adaptive brightness feature is enabled.
- Color shifts: Some users report slight yellow or blue tinting on their screens, especially noticeable in dark mode.
Workarounds:
- Disabling adaptive brightness and adjusting brightness manually can reduce flickering.
- For touch responsiveness issues, turning off battery optimization for specific apps or updating the touchscreen firmware can help.
- Using a third-party app like Touchscreen Repair to recalibrate the display might improve response time.
User feedback:
"I love the display for its brightness and colors, but sometimes it doesn’t register my touches when I’m typing fast. The flickering is also annoying at night when I have the brightness low."
2. Battery Life and Charging Problems
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 features a 4500mAh battery, coupled with 67W SuperVOOC fast charging, which claims to offer a full charge in under 45 minutes. Despite these impressive specs, some users have experienced battery life issues and charging problems.
Common battery issues:
- Battery drain: Users report that the phone’s battery drains faster than expected, especially when using apps that require GPS, camera, or 5G.
- Overheating during charging: Fast charging can cause the phone to heat up significantly, which might concern users who charge their phones overnight.
- Slow charging: In some cases, the SuperVOOC charging doesn’t work as expected, with slower-than-advertised speeds.
Possible solutions:
- Limit background app activity to reduce battery drain.
- Enable Battery Saver mode for better power efficiency.
- For overheating, avoid using the phone while charging or opt for slower charging settings.
- Always use the official charger and cable for optimal charging performance.
User complaints:
"The battery drains quickly, especially when I’m using the camera or gaming, and the phone heats up a lot when I’m fast charging. It’s a bit worrying, especially when I leave it to charge overnight."
3. Camera Issues: Focus and Image Quality
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 comes with a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor, designed to offer versatile photography options. While the camera performance is generally good in well-lit conditions, some users have reported issues with focus and inconsistent image quality.
Reported camera issues:
- Slow or inaccurate autofocus, particularly in low-light conditions or when using the ultrawide lens.
- Shutter lag, where the photo is captured slightly after pressing the shutter button, causing blurry images of moving subjects.
- Overexposure or color imbalance, with photos sometimes appearing too bright or having unnatural colors, especially in HDR mode.
Potential fixes:
- Manually tap to focus when shooting in low-light conditions or close-up shots.
- Use Pro Mode for better control over exposure and white balance.
- Ensure that the camera app is updated to the latest version, as OnePlus often releases bug fixes for camera software.
User feedback:
"The camera is good for casual shots, but when it comes to focusing in dim light or capturing moving objects, it’s not very reliable. Sometimes the photos come out overexposed too."
4. Performance Lag and Software Glitches
Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is expected to handle most tasks with ease. However, users have reported performance slowdowns and software glitches, particularly when multitasking or gaming.
Performance-related problems:
- App crashes or freezing when switching between heavy apps or running multiple apps in the background.
- Lag during gaming, especially when playing graphics-intensive titles.
- UI stutters when navigating through the home screen or using gestures, despite the 120Hz display.
Workarounds:
- Clear app cache regularly to avoid app crashes.
- Enable the phone’s Game Mode to improve performance during gaming sessions.
- Restart the phone or perform a factory reset if the lag persists.
User experience:
"The phone works well for day-to-day tasks, but I’ve noticed it stutters when I have too many apps open. Gaming performance is good, but there’s some lag in heavier titles."
5. Connectivity Problems: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Issues
Despite supporting 5G and advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, some users have reported connectivity issues with the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Common connectivity issues:
- Wi-Fi connection drops: Users have reported intermittent issues where the phone disconnects from Wi-Fi or switches between networks unnecessarily.
- Bluetooth pairing issues: There are complaints about Bluetooth devices (such as headphones or car systems) not connecting consistently or dropping connections.
- 5G network instability, particularly in areas with weaker signal coverage.
Solutions:
- Reset the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to resolve connectivity issues.
- Ensure that network optimization features (like switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data) are correctly configured.
- Update the firmware to fix known connectivity bugs.
User feedback:
"My phone occasionally drops the Wi-Fi connection even when I’m near the router. Bluetooth is also hit or miss when connecting to my earbuds, which is frustrating."
6. Fingerprint Sensor and Face Unlock Problems
The in-display fingerprint sensor and Face Unlock on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 provide biometric security, but some users have encountered accuracy and speed issues with both.
Reported fingerprint sensor problems:
- Inconsistent fingerprint recognition, with users needing to make multiple attempts to unlock their phones.
- The sensor’s speed seems to slow down over time, especially when the screen is dirty or if the user’s fingers are wet.
Face Unlock issues:
- Difficulty recognizing faces in low light or when wearing glasses.
- Slower unlock times compared to earlier OnePlus devices.
Troubleshooting:
- Re-register your fingerprints in a well-lit environment to improve accuracy.
- Clean the screen regularly to ensure the fingerprint sensor works properly.
- For Face Unlock, ensure that Raise to Wake is enabled for faster recognition in low-light conditions.
User experience:
"The fingerprint sensor works most of the time, but there are days when it’s really slow or doesn’t recognize my finger. Face Unlock also struggles when the lighting isn’t perfect."
Conclusion: Is the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Worth Buying?
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 delivers a solid mid-range experience with a focus on essentials, offering a vibrant AMOLED display, 5G connectivity, and OnePlus’ signature OxygenOS experience. It’s a great option for users who want the OnePlus brand at a more affordable price.
However, it does come with some notable issues, such as display responsiveness, battery drain, camera performance inconsistencies, and software bugs. While many of these problems can be addressed through software updates or workarounds, they may still affect the overall user experience.
If you’re looking for a balanced phone in the mid-range segment, the Nord CE 4 is worth considering, especially if you’re a fan of OxygenOS. But if the reported issues give you pause, you might want to explore alternatives in this price range, such as:
- Google Pixel 7a: Known for its smooth performance, reliable camera, and clean Android experience.
- Samsung Galaxy A54: Offers a more consistent overall experience with better camera performance and longer software support.
- Realme GT Neo 3: A performance-driven mid-ranger with fast charging and solid gaming capabilities.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is a solid mid-range option, but depending on your needs, you may find other smartphones more suitable, especially if you prioritize camera performance or long-term stability over brand loyalty.
