Subj : OnePlus ditched metal on the new Nord 5 because its buyers 'prefe To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Jun 17 2025 16:00:08 OnePlus ditched metal on the new Nord 5 because its buyers 'prefer styles that are brief, simple, and elegant' Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:55:19 +0000 Description: In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, OnePlus explained why it's decided to change the design of its upcoming Nord 5 smartphone. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Theres still a lot left to learn about OnePlus next mid-range smartphone, the OnePlus Nord 5, but following the phones official announcement earlier this week , we do at least know that itll look dramatically different to the OnePlus Nord 4. Last years model was heavily marketed as being the only metal unibody 5G smartphone on the market according to OnePlus, the Nord 4 used aircraft-grade aluminum that made it sleek, strong and less prone to shatter. We agreed with that assessment in our OnePlus Nord 4 review , describing the phones metal frame as a small touch that makes the Nord 4 look distinct and feel well-protected against drops and knocks. Why, then, has OnePlus decided to do away with metal on the upcoming Nord 5? We put the question to OnePlus Chief Marketing Officer for Europe, Celina Shi, in an exclusive interview , and while she wasnt able to share specifics about the Nord 5s new design, she did shed some light on why OnePlus has chosen to ditch this seemingly once-important feature. While I can't reveal specifics about the OnePlus Nord 5 series materials just yet, I can say that it won't be in a metal frame this year, Shi explained. Our design concept for all of our devices is grounded in consumer insight. Following a global survey conducted across Europe, North America, India, and China, we found that our target audience places strong emphasis on practicality in design. They consistently prefer styles that are brief, simple, and elegant. In response to this, in the OnePlus Nord Series this year, we are offering Nordic-inspired design that reflects these values and resonates with our consumers globally. Image 1 of 2 The OnePlus Nord 5 (left) and OnePlus Nord CE5 (right) (Image credit: OnePlus) Image 2 of 2 The two-tone metal OnePlus Nord 4 (Image credit: Future) Presumably, OnePlus is referring to Scandinavian minimalism when it says Nordic-inspired design and from the first teaser image weve seen of the upcoming Nord 5, it's certainly a more stripped-back affair than the two-tone Nord 4 (especially the Mercurial Silver model, which also sports an eye-catching ribbed pattern on its rear panel). The Nord 5s colors, too, will likely be inspired by Nordic geography; we already know that the phone will launch in a shade called Dry Ice, for instance. And if youre wondering whether the Nord name itself has any bearing on OnePlus latest design philosophy, its more of a happy coincidence. As OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei exclusively revealed to TechRadar back in 2020 , Nord refers to both North in the navigational sense and OnePlus going back to [its] true north as a brand. But the absence of metal isnt the only big design change coming to the OnePlus Nord 5. With the Nord 4, OnePlus flipped the script on previous Nord models by equipping it with a horizontal camera array, but the Nord 5 will once again sport a vertical camera layout. The horizontal camera array on the OnePlus Nord 4 (Image credit: Future) With any smartphone, there is always negotiation between aesthetic design and what's physically possible within those parameters, Shi explained in relation to the change. As tech components evolve, so too will our design to make the best-looking products that function optimally. The camera module is vertical in the latest OnePlus Nord Series as this layout optimizes space within the device, allowing us to include a best-in-class chipset, battery, and screen within. At the time of writing, were only privy to one of those best-in-class specs for the upcoming OnePlus Nord 5 itll use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset but heres hoping well hear more about this potential addition to our best OnePlus phones guide soon. You might also like OnePlus Buds 4 revealed with high-spec dual DAC design and Im impressed Two months on, OnePlus has fixed my biggest problem with the OnePlus Watch 3 It will take time for foldables to become mainstream: OnePlus defends decision to delay the OnePlus Open 2 and bow out of the foldable phones race in 2025 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/oneplus-phones/oneplus-ditched-metal-on-the-n ew-nord-5-because-its-buyers-prefer-styles-that-are-brief-simple-and-elegant --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .