OnePlus has quietly launched a new product under its Nord sub-brand. The Nord N30 SE 5G is a mid-range phone that boasts a large 6.72-inch display, a 50MP main camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. However, unlike the company’s previous launches, this one was not accompanied by any hype or fanfare. In fact, the phone was only revealed on the company’s website, and only for the United Arab Emirates market.
The Nord N30 SE 5G is a lower-end version of the Nord N30, which was announced in December 2023 in China and in January 2024 globally. The Nord N30 is a premium mid-range phone that features a Snapdragon 695 processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 120Hz refresh rate screen, and a 108MP main camera. The Nord N30 SE 5G, on the other hand, uses a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 50MP main camera. It also drops the 120Hz refresh rate feature, and settles for a 60Hz screen with the same resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The only advantage that the Nord N30 SE 5G has over the Nord N30 is the larger battery capacity, which is 5,000mAh compared to 4,500mAh.
The Nord N30 SE 5G is expected to be cheaper than the Nord N30, which costs $300 in the US and ₹22,999 in India. However, the exact price and availability of the Nord N30 SE 5G are still unknown, as OnePlus has not provided any official information on its website. It is also unclear if the phone will be released in other markets besides the UAE, where it is currently listed. OnePlus has a history of launching different models of its phones in different regions, such as the Nord N10 5G and Nord N100 in Europe and North America, and the Nord CE 5G and Nord 2 5G in India and Europe. Therefore, it is possible that the Nord N30 SE 5G is a region-specific device that will not see a global rollout.
The Nord N30 SE 5G is an interesting addition to the OnePlus portfolio, as it shows the company’s attempt to cater to different segments of the smartphone market. However, it also raises questions about the company’s strategy and direction, as it seems to contradict its motto of “Never Settle”. By launching a phone with mediocre specifications and no publicity, OnePlus may be diluting its brand image and confusing its customers. Moreover, the phone faces stiff competition from other brands that offer better value and performance in the same price range, such as Xiaomi, Realme, Samsung, and Motorola. The Nord N30 SE 5G may be a decent phone, but it is not a great one, and it may not be enough to attract or retain OnePlus fans.