OnePlus Nord CE 5 Durability & Water Test: What Happens When You Push Its Limits?

The OnePlus Nord series has consistently aimed to deliver premium experiences at more accessible price points, making them best-sellers in the competitive mid-range market. The latest iteration, the OnePlus Nord CE 5, continues this tradition, promising a blend of performance and features that appeal to a wide audience. However, as the saying goes, affordability often comes with certain compromises. The big question for many potential buyers isn’t just about specs, but about how well it holds up to the rigors of daily life.

To truly understand the resilience of the OnePlus Nord CE 5, we subjected it to a series of rigorous durability tests, including water resistance, scratch resistance, a burn test, and bend tests. Our aim was to uncover its true build quality and see where OnePlus might have made those crucial trade-offs. If you’re considering buying the OnePlus Nord CE 5, this detailed breakdown of its durability and water test performance is a must-read before you make your final decision.

Water Test: Can the Nord CE 5 Survive an Accidental Dip?

Unlike many flagships, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 does not come with an official IP67 or IP68 water and dust resistance rating. The brand only mentions basic water resistance, possibly akin to IP64 or IP65, which protects against splashes. To put this to the test, we submerged the phone in a container holding approximately 80 liters of water.

• The Test: The phone was dropped into the water and left submerged for over 5 minutes.
• Immediate Results: Upon retrieval, the phone was perfectly functional. The display was responsive, and core functions worked. However, it’s important to note that touch functionality did not work underwater, which is common for phones without advanced water-sealing for touchscreens. Volume buttons and other physical controls remained operational.
• Long-Term Observation: To account for potential delayed liquid damage, the phone was observed for three days after the basic water test. Even after this period and regular use for review purposes, no damage or issues related to water contact were observed.
• Conclusion: While OnePlus doesn’t offer a strong warranty against liquid damage, the Nord CE 5 appears to be capable of surviving accidental splashes or brief contact with water. This suggests a decent level of basic water resistance, offering some peace of mind for everyday mishaps.

Build Material & Design: Where Are the Compromises?

A closer look at the OnePlus Nord CE 5’s construction reveals some material choices that reflect its price point.

• Screen Protector: The phone comes with a pre-applied plastic screen protector. This is often the first visible compromise, as many users prefer the feel of bare glass or a higher-quality glass protector.
• Back Panel: The back panel is made of plastic, a departure from some higher-end Nord models that might feature glass backs. The OnePlus branding on the back is printed, not etched, which means it could wear off over time with scratches.
• Frame: The entire frame of the device is made of plastic. Unlike the Nord 5 which featured a metal frame, this is a clear cost-saving measure.
• Buttons & Ports: The phone lacks the signature OnePlus alert slider. It features a noise-cancellation microphone at the top and a Type-C port and SIM card slot at the bottom. Notably, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. The plastic buttons are quite tight and secure, which is a positive.
• SIM Tray Concern: Similar to the Nord 5, the SIM tray appears to be easily damaged. Users who frequently swap SIM cards should exercise extreme caution to avoid damaging the tray or the SIM card itself.
• Camera Module: Interestingly, the camera module’s deco (the aesthetic part around the lenses) is made of metal. This is a positive, as many budget phones compromise here with plastic. This suggests that while cost-cutting happened elsewhere, the camera area received some attention.

Scratch Test: How Durable is the Display and Camera Glass?

The screen and camera lenses are crucial areas for scratch resistance. We put the OnePlus Nord CE 5’s display and camera module to the Mohs hardness test.

• Display Scratch Test:
  • The Nord CE 5 uses a glass for protection, similar to what was seen on the OnePlus Nord 5 (which used Gorilla Glass 7).
  • Scratches began appearing at Level 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. This is considered a poor result for smartphone displays, as many modern phones resist scratches up to Level 6 or 7.
  • Deeper marks were observed at Level 6 and 7.
  • Observation: This indicates that the glass used on the Nord CE 5’s display is quite susceptible to scratches. Even common metal objects like keys or coins, if applied with slight pressure, could easily scratch the screen. It’s highly recommended to use a good quality tempered glass screen protector.
• Camera Module Scratch Test:
  • Despite the camera module being made of metal, the glass covering the lenses showed scratches starting at Level 5.
  • Observation: This is unusual and suggests a compromise in the quality of the glass used for the camera lenses. This means that even moderately sharp objects could potentially scratch your camera glass, affecting photo quality.

Burn Test: How Does the AMOLED Display Handle Heat?

The display’s resilience to direct heat can indicate its overall quality and long-term durability under thermal stress.

• The Test: A direct flame was applied to a small section of the AMOLED display.
• Results: The OnePlus Nord CE 5’s AMOLED display took approximately 10 to 11 seconds to develop a permanent burn mark. The pixels in the affected area completely turned white and did not recover.
• Observation: While this is standard behavior for AMOLED panels (pixels permanently burn when exposed to extreme heat), the relatively short time taken (10-11 seconds) suggests that the thinner glass or overall display quality might be a factor. For users who live in very hot climates or whose phones frequently overheat during charging or heavy use, there’s a potential for display issues (like screen burn-in) after several years.

Bend Test: Structural Integrity Under Pressure

The bend test assesses the phone’s structural integrity and how well it withstands physical stress.

• Bending from the Screen Side: When pressure was applied from the display side, the phone exhibited some flex, but it did not fail or break. It remained perfectly functional.
• Bending from the Rear Side: When pressure was applied from the back, the phone showed extremely solid resistance with only minor flexes.
• Observation: The phone’s flat frame likely contributes to its better structural integrity, preventing catastrophic failure during bending. Despite the plastic frame, the phone holds up well to bending forces, which is a positive for everyday handling.

Overall Durability Score & Final Verdict

Based on the comprehensive tests, the OnePlus Nord CE 5’s durability presents a mixed bag of results.

• Overall Score: The reviewer assigned the OnePlus Nord CE 5 a durability score of 6 to 7 out of 10.
• Key Reasons for Score:
  • Poor Display Scratch Resistance: The most significant drawback is the display’s susceptibility to scratches starting at Level 3. This is a major compromise for a phone in this price segment, where better scratch resistance is expected.
  • Plastic Frame: The complete plastic frame is a noticeable compromise, especially when compared to phones that offer metal frames for similar pricing.
  • Camera Glass Susceptibility: The ease with which the camera module glass scratches is also a concern.
• Final Recommendation: Due to the display’s poor scratch resistance, it is highly recommended to use a good quality tempered glass screen protector on the OnePlus Nord CE 5. While the phone shows decent water resistance for splashes and good bend resistance, the screen’s vulnerability to scratches is a significant point of concern.

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a phone that makes compromises in its build materials and display glass quality to achieve its affordable price point. While it performs adequately in water splash and bend tests, its screen’s susceptibility to scratches is a notable weakness. If you plan to buy this phone, investing in a robust screen protector is not just an option, but a necessity to ensure its display remains pristine over time.

About the Author & Disclosure:

About the Author: Reo R As a marketing expert with 4 years of experience in the digital marketing field, I specialize in SEO and help companies increase their online visibility, drive more traffic, and boost their sales.With a track record of success, I have a proven ability to improve clients’ SEO and drive sales.

Instagram- Reor

Disclosure: This detailed blog post is based on a thorough analysis of the provided YouTube video transcript, combined with general industry knowledge of smartphone durability testing. Product specifications, features, and performance may vary. Always refer to official manufacturer websites and trusted sources for the latest and most accurate details.

Comments Section:

What are your thoughts on the durability of the OnePlus Nord CE 5 based on these tests? Do the compromises in building materials affect your buying decision? Share your opinions and questions in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you.