OnePlus Nord vs older OnePlus phones: Should you upgrade?

The OnePlus Nord packs in some great modern hardware at an affordable price. It’s a compelling option for those eager to upgrade but who have been put off by increasingly high price tags. In fact, if you’re an old OnePlus customer, the Nord’s $380 retail price is much closer to the company’s original value proposition .
Going head-to-head with the flagship OnePlus 8 series was never in the Nord’s mission statement. But does the inexpensive mid-ranger offer a worthwhile upgrade to some of OnePlus’ older flagships? Here’s a rundown of how the phones compare to help you decide.
OnePlus Nord vs OnePlus 5 and older
If you’re (somehow!) still rocking the OnePlus 5 or an even older OnePlus handset, there’s little doubt that the Nord represents a compelling upgrade option. Believe it or not, the Nord’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor offers comparable, if not better performance than the Snapdragon 835 and older variants. It’s also built on a more efficient manufacturing process, meaning longer battery life.
Not forgetting all the phone’s modern benefits, including 5G network support, more RAM (if you need it), a much more flexible camera package, a bigger 90Hz AMOLED display, in-display fingerprint scanner, and faster 30W charging. Going forward, the Nord will see longer support for future Android versions too. All-in-all, it’s a pretty great time to upgrade your aging OnePlus handset without breaking the bank.
Read more: OnePlus phones: A history of the company’s entire lineup so far
OnePlus Nord vs OnePlus 6

Comparisons with the OnePlus 6 aren’t as one-sided. On the performance side, the OnePlus 6 and its Snapdragon 845 processor hold a marginal lead over the Nord. Although it’s not a lead you’ll notice much for day-to-day tasks, unless you’re a serious gamer. We wouldn’t recommend upgrading for performance alone, but the Nord’s larger battery and more efficient processor make it a longer-lasting option.
Again, the Nord supports faster 5G data, although you’ll want a 5G contract to benefit from that. There’s also speedier 30W versus 20W charging and a slightly more flexible camera package that includes a wide-angle selfie option. Not forgetting the benefits of a 90Hz display and a more discrete in-display fingerprint scanner.
While it’s a smidgen slower at gaming, the Nord includes enough modern features to make it a decent affordable upgrade over the OnePlus 6, even after just a couple of years. Although if you’re really a fan of the headphone jack, the Nord will disappoint.
OnePlus 6 review: The spiritual successor to the Nexus
OnePlus Nord vs OnePlus 6T
The OnePlus 6T’s hardware is virtually identical to the 6, so you can virtually copy and paste the above here.
However, the OnePlus 6T sports Corning Gorilla Glass 6, ahead of the OnePlus 6 and Nord’s Gorilla Glass 5. The 6T also boasts an in-display fingerprint...