The main digital camera struggles with high-contrast scenes, so the sky is commonly blown out within the background, although it may nonetheless take some respectable images in even lighting. When the solar will get low, you need to use the Night mode to take higher low-light photos, however the colours are off and issues nonetheless find yourself somewhat blurry except you may 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 good.
OnePlus reveals off a 3X zoom mode within the digital camera app, however that is technically simply digital zoom utilizing the 108-megapixel digital camera. Because there is no optical picture stabilization, you may end up retaking images as a result of the primary one is nearly all the time blurry. OnePlus might name it a “lossless zoom,” however these images have an over-sharpened look to them. Still, 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 digital camera, do not get me began. I did not like all of the images it captured.
Then there’s the software program. OnePlus has tweaked the Android 13 interface a lot that I do not get pleasure from 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 program updates, promising just one OS replace (to Android 14) and three years of safety updates. When you’ll be able to’t get any new options after Android 15 rolls round subsequent yr, it will really feel old-fashioned.
The year-old Google Pixel 6A repeatedly goes on sale for lower than $300 and can get software program updates for longer. So will the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, which incessantly dips to $375. Both have a digital camera system that is leaps and bounds nicer than the OnePlus, with higher software program, AMOLED screens, and IP67 water resistance. (The Nord N30 will not be water-proof.)
If the dearth of software program updates is not a barrier, you desire a headphone jack and a microSD slot, and the two-day battery life is extra necessary than digital camera high quality, then you definately’ll be pleased with the Nord N30 5G. But I believe OnePlus might 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 yr’s flagship telephones that creep down in value, just like the OnePlus 10 Pro, which is presently on sale for $150 greater than the Nord.