The OnePlus Nord 4’s design is both a blessing and a curse

OnePlus is launching its next mid-range phone in Milan next week, but the company has already revealed what it’ll look like.

The upcoming Nord 4 is a big shift in design for the handset, ditching the plastic frame of the Nord 3 for a metal unibody design that instantly stands out from the crowd. As OnePlus says, it’s “the first all metal smartphone of the 5G era”.

A lot to like

Upon getting the phone out of the box, the first thing I noticed was how premium it feels. If I wasn’t familiar with phones and you’d told me it was a flagship handset, I’d have believed you.

The shift to aluminium across the back and sides of the phone means it’s heavier than your average mid-range phone, but means it’s less likely to fall out of your hand as a result. Even if it does, the extra durability compared to a glass-backed device means I’d be confident it it surviving most drops unscathed.

Another benefit is the improved grip, which means I can comfortably use the Nord 4 without a case. There’s no need for an unsightly case that often takes away from the phone’s attractive design.

I particularly like the metal finish on the Obsidian Midnight version I have in for review, which looks unique and sophisticated without the need for garish colours.

But it’s not all good news

However, the OnePlus Nord 4’s design doesn’t impress me in all areas.

The big problem I have is the two-tone finish on the back, which means there’s panel of glass across the top quarter of the phone. It’s similar to early Google phones, up to and including the Pixel 3 in 2018.

It looks nice enough, but the reflectivity causes two issues. First, it means that section of the phone acts like a mirror. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stare at myself every time I pick up my phone.

Also, it’s the only part of the device that picks up visible fingerprint smudges, which appeared within seconds of me picking it up. While you don’t need a case for durability, you might want one to keep the glass in a presentable condition. This could easily have been avoided by giving the glass a matt finish.

Of course, design is only one small part of the overall smartphone experience. The Nord 4’s new build has more strengths than weaknesses, but ultimately, whether we can recommend it will depend on how the phone performs in other areas.

Look out for our full review of the Nord 4 once it launches on 16 July, where it’ll be joined by a new tablet, smartwatch and wireless earbuds.