OnePlus Unveils Nord 4: The World’s First All-Metal Unibody 5G Smartphone

By Brian K. Neal

In a bold move, OnePlus has introduced the Nord 4, claiming it as the world’s first and only 5G smartphone with a metal unibody design. While the device’s screen remains glass, the rest of the phone is crafted from a single piece of precision-milled aluminum, measuring a sleek 7.99mm in thickness. The 120 Hz AMOLED display ensures a vibrant visual experience, but the real innovation lies beneath the surface.

As 5G technology continues to evolve, smartphone designs have shifted to accommodate more onboard antennas, often at the expense of metal construction. OnePlus, however, has managed to push the envelope, boasting several technological breakthroughs that allow for the return of metal in its design. The company has re-engineered its motherboard and reduced antenna size by over 50%, allowing them to achieve this feat without compromising on the device’s 5G capabilities.

Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord 4 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring top-tier performance whether you’re gaming or multitasking. The device is equipped with a 5,500mAh battery—the largest ever in a Nord series—capable of fast-charging at 100 watts. This means a full charge takes just 28 minutes, with a quick 5-minute boost providing enough juice for 5 hours of Netflix.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Nord 4’s camera setup, headlined by a 50-megapixel main camera featuring optical image stabilization and Sony’s LYT-600 sensor for crisp, color-accurate shots. The phone also includes a 112-degree ultra-wide camera and a 16-megapixel selfie camera, both also powered by Sony. With AI-driven features like AI Eraser, AI Clear Face, and AI Smart Cutout 2.0, users can easily enhance their photos directly on the device. OnePlus has even teased upcoming AI tools, including AI Best Face, which corrects group photos by “magically” opening closed eyes.

OnePlus is also offering an impressive software support package with the Nord 4, including six years of security updates and four Android version upgrades—the longest support it has ever provided.

The OnePlus Nord 4 sets a new benchmark for 5G smartphones, blending cutting-edge design with robust performance and long-term software support.