The OnePlus Nord Three is an thrilling prospect for followers of finest OnePlus telephones. It is anticipated to be the subsequent huge mid-range handset from the corporate, after many funds spin-offs and options to the OnePlus Nord 2.

It will even be a extra reasonably priced tackle the OnePlus 11, letting folks get a brand new Android cellphone with out paying to-shelf costs. Saying that, we do not actually know when the subsequent high Nord will land.

The Nord model is OnePlus’ household of reasonably priced and mid-range Android telephones; designed to supply helpful options that folks truly need, tailor-made to budgets which do not stretch to the corporate’s pricier powerhouses. 

We have seen the unique OnePlus Nord and Nord 2 joined by a complete host of spin-offs; together with the OnePlus Nord 2T, OnePlus Nord CE 2, OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, OnePlus Nord N10, OnePlus Nord N200 and extra. However the Nord Three is anticipated to be the subsequent huge addition to the vary, anticipated to reach in the midst of the 12 months.

To date, we’ve not come throughout that many rumors or leaks regarding the OnePlus Nord 3, so we do not but have an entire image of what to anticipate. Nevertheless, that is beginning to change, to not point out we have got a good suggestion of what we would wish to see, primarily based on previous mobiles and the present state of the Android cellphone market. As such, whereas we await extra information, we have shared what we have learnt concerning the cellphone up to now, in addition to our characteristic wish-list, under.

Newest information

Newfound certifications recommend an imminent launch and quick 80W charging.

Minimize to the chase

• What’s it? The third technology of mid-range OnePlus telephones
• When is it out? Possible mid-2023
• How a lot will it value? Most likely round £399 (about $550, AU$750)

OnePlus Nord 3: launch date and value

Based mostly on precedent, we’ll possible see the OnePlus Nord Three introduced and launched within the center few months of the 12 months. The unique and second-gen fashions have been each unveiled in July of their respective launch years, in order that looks like the plain month to anticipate the Nord 3; it may very well be a bit earlier or later, nevertheless.

Once we get nearer to July, we’ll possible hear some rumors concerning particular dates however within the meantime, the cellphone’s been noticed on varied certification websites by the use of MySmartPrice (opens in new tab), which many imagine means it is almost prepared for prime-time, set to debut quickly.

By way of value, we’ll even have to attend till nearer the time for some leaks, however we will take a look at previous efficiency for a good suggestion. The Nord and Nord 2 launched for £379 (round $480, AU$680) and £399 (about $550, AU$750) respectively, so a value in that ballpark stays very possible.

The earlier telephones within the household sequence by no means launched within the US or Australia although, so do not maintain your breath for releases in these areas.

OnePlus Nord 3: design and show

We’ve not heard a lot concerning the {hardware} and software program the OnePlus Nord Three will pack in, however one leak has revealed most of the doable specs, together with a 6.7-inch 1080 x 2412 show.

Identified tipster Max Jambor (who admittedly was a bit off his sport close to OnePlus rumors, not too long ago) beforehand instructed that the Nord Three would primarily be a repackaged model of the China-exclusive OnePlus Ace 2V (opens in new tab) for world audiences, probably with much less RAM and a extra modest chipset.

If true, this might recommend a straight-side design, together with a flat show and a mostly-flat glass again, with delicate rounding on the edge the place the glass meets the cellphone’s metallic body. OnePlus’ signature bodily alert slider options the on the Ace 2V, so we would hope it might carry throughout to the Nord Three too, whereas show and backbone specs match up with these earlier rumors.

OnePlus Nord 3: specs and options

As for what is going on on contained in the Nord 3, those self same spec leaks from all the best way again in March 2022 pointed to an higher mid-range Dimensity 8100 chipset, 12GB of RAM and an in-screen fingerprint scanner, amongst different issues.

Whereas the chipset might differ, there’s a world by which the Nord Three retains the Ace 2V’s top-shelf MediaTek-made Dimensity 9000 SoC, which is a bit longer within the tooth at this stage.

As for software program, primarily based on the latest unique affirmation to TechRadar of OxygenOS 13.1 debuting on the OnePlus Nord CE Three Lite, there’s each probability that the Nord Three may also run on this identical Android 13-based person expertise out of the field.

OnePlus Nord 3: digicam and battery

A triple-lens rear digicam appears possible, persevering with the development of its predecessors, with the final batch of leaks pointing to an impressive-sounding with 50MP most important sensor, accompanied by 8MP and 2MP sensors; presumably ultrawide and depth snappers, respectively, nevertheless, that is guess work on our half. A 16MP entrance digicam can be mentioned to characteristic and if just like the Ace 2V’s will seem as a punch-hole sensor, set into the top-center of the Nord 3’s display screen.

In relation to the battery, just like the Nord 2T and the Nord 2 earlier than it, the Nord Three is believed to pack in a 4,500mAh cell, this time paired with impressively-fast charging. One early rumor claimed speeds of as much as 150W, which might coinciding with discuss of a  forthcoming OnePlus cellphone promising such speeds. Nevertheless, this might additionally make the Nord Three the fastest-charging OnePlus cellphone on the market at launch; outpacing even the corporate’s flagship OnePlus 11, which appears unlikely.

Additional dispelling this notion are these aforementioned certifications, which in addition to suggesting an impending launch, additionally reference 80W quick charging. That is nonetheless impressively fast – particularly for a mid-ranger – even beating out latest flagships, just like the Xiaomi 13, with its 67W quick charging.

OnePlus Nord 3: What we wish to see

1. A better show refresh price

Show refresh price refers to what number of occasions per second a smartphone’s show updates. Whereas 60Hz (or 60 occasions per second) was utilized in principally all telephones, the previous couple of years has seen a transfer as much as 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and in some uncommon instances, even larger; for a choose few mobiles.

When a refresh price is larger, on-screen interplay and movement appears smoother, which is useful for streaming content material and taking part in video games, however even only for swiping between menus and residential pages.

Now, many funds and most mid-range and premium telephones use not less than 120Hz, however the earlier OnePlus Nord telephones have been outliers; sticking with 90Hz.

We might wish to see the OnePlus Nord Three make the soar to 120Hz, to match different mobiles on the identical value level, and simply so the cellphone feels extra premium and extra responsive to make use of.

2. Some Hasselblad digicam tips

For its flagship sequence, OnePlus presently companions with digicam firm Hasselblad; granting its high units optimized digicam experiences with additional options, modes and filters that make them implausible for images. We might wish to see the fruits of this relationship come to the Nord sequence too.

Examples embody the Hasselblad Professional Mode, which captures in a better shade profile and saves in a model of RAW which is extra space-efficient, in comparison with your cellphone’s customary ‘Professional’ mode or equal.

Even when the mid-range Nord Three cannot deal with flashy and intensive digicam tips, we would wish to see some digicam options which elevate the cellphone over same-price opponents.

3. No app throttling

OnePlus discovered itself in scorching water in mid-2021 when customers found that the OxygenOS person expertise discovered on its telephones secretly throttled fashionable apps (this implies it decreased how a lot of the cellphone’s processing energy they might entry). 

Among the few apps not throttled have been benchmarking apps (which let you know how a lot processing energy a cellphone has), and the corporate did not admit this was occurring till it was caught out, which clearly wasn’t a great search for the model.

The eventual decision of the furore was {that a} toggle was launched within the settings so you may flip off throttling if you happen to like, however it’s nonetheless turned on by default, so most individuals will not ever discover and can simply suppose they’ve a gradual cellphone.

We might like the corporate to take away this throttling characteristic, or on the very least have it off by default (OnePlus says having it on saves battery life, one thing disputed by person experiences).

4. A better-to-buy vary of colours

You could possibly purchase the OnePlus Nord 2 in blue, grey or inexperienced (in addition to in a bizarre Pac-Man design) however there was a catch – not all variations have been out there in all areas.

Inexperienced was unique to India, whereas blue was solely out there paired to sure reminiscence configurations; not less than within the UK.

We might wish to see OnePlus embrace the brilliant, colourful and energetic, as Samsung did with the Galaxy S20 FE’s enormous vary of vibrant hues. Let’s have a look at reds and oranges, and yellows, or perhaps one thing a bit bizarre just like the color-changing gold and blue of the Vivo V23 from OnePlus’ sister firm.

5. One other crossover

As we talked about, the OnePlus Nord 2 was out there in a Pac-Man version with a dot-patterned rear which glowed at midnight, in addition to software program filled with Easter eggs for the favored classic sport.

That is not the one crossover OnePlus has loved both, with a number of Cyberpunk 2077 units and McLaren editions of a few of its telephones too.

We might wish to see the Nord Three get one thing enjoyable too, and perhaps newer than the traditional Pac-Man or maligned CyberPunk 2077. What about Starfield? Or The Witcher?

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