OnePlus announced the OnePlus Nord 3 exactly a year after the Nord 2T. The latest Nord-series phone brings several major upgrades under the hood, including a faster chipset, higher screen refresh rate, and a bigger battery, among other things. Existing OnePlus Nord 2T users might be wondering whether they should upgrade to the Nord 3, and we tell you why you should definitely consider that.
Before we dig into some of the upgrades, let’s take a quick look at the specifications of both the OnePlus Nord 3 and Nord 2T:
| Specs | Nord 3 | Nord 2T |
| Display | 6.74-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED | 6.43-inch 90Hz AMOLED |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 | MediaTek Dimensity 1300 |
| RAM+Storage | Up to 16GB RAM, 256GB storage | Up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage |
| Cameras | 50MP IMX890 + 8MP + 2MP | 50MP IMX766 + 8MP + 2MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh (80W) | 4,500mAh (80W) |
| OS | OxygenOS 13.1 based on Android 13 | OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12 |
Smoother 120Hz Super Fluid AMOLED display
While the OnePlus Nord 2T features a 90Hz AMOLED display, the Nord 3 bumps it up to a 120Hz Super Fluid AMOLED screen. Additionally, the phone supports a dynamic refresh rate, which means it can switch between 40Hz to 120Hz depending on the content on the screen. The Nord 3’s display also supports HDR10+, Netflix HDR, and Amazon Prime Video HDR. Also, the Nord 3 has a bigger screen at 6.74 inches, offering a more immersive viewing experience with slimmer bezels.
Faster MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset
Powering the OnePlus Nord 3 is the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset. While the chipset is slightly older than the Dimensity 1300 SoC powering the Nord 2T, it is more efficient as it is based on a 4nm process. You can expect better CPU and GPU performance across the board on the Nord 3. The phone should be able to run graphically challenging games better than the Nord 2T.
Higher 16GB RAM option
The OnePlus Nord 3 gets a higher 16GB RAM variant as opposed to the 12GB RAM option with the Nord 2T. The 16GB RAM variant is expected to offer better multi-tasking capabilities and improved performance compared to the Nord 3’s predecessor. This is also the first Nord-series phone to come with up to 16GB of RAM.
Flagship-grade 50MP Sony IMX890 camera
OnePlus has made an interesting choice for the camera setup on the Nord 3 by opting for the Sony IMX890 sensor, which is the same sensor found on their flagship OnePlus 11 model. In comparison, the Nord 2T utilized the IMX766 sensor, which was known for its impressive performance. However, the IMX890 sensor takes things a step further. It features a larger 1/1.56″ size, which enables it to capture more light, making it particularly well-suited for low-light photography. This means that the Nord 3 is expected to produce better results in challenging lighting conditions, allowing users to capture stunning details and vibrant colors even in dimly lit environments.
Larger 5,000mAh battery
OnePlus has equipped the new OnePlus Nord 3 handset with a substantial 5,000mAh battery, which is a notable increase of 500mAh compared to its predecessor, the Nord 2T. With the 5,000mAh battery, users can expect enhanced endurance, allowing them to engage in various activities such as streaming media, gaming, or productivity tasks, without having to reach for the charger frequently. This is paired with 80W fast charging support which can fully charge the device in around 50 minutes, as per our review.
Latest software, longer support
Lastly, the OnePlus Nord 3 ships with the latest OxygenOS 13.1 based on Android 13. This is the first OnePlus phone to run on OxygenOS 13.1 out of the box. The latest custom software comes with a bunch of tweaks and improvements, as well as features like Zen Space and O-Relax. But beyond all of that, OnePlus is promising 3 major Android upgrades and 4 years of security updates. The Nord 2T, in comparison, ships with Android 12 and won’t receive the kind of software support that the Nord 3 will.
