OnePlus Nord 5 and Buds 4 lead 2025’s tech drops
OnePlus just dropped a fresh wave of new tech, and there’s a lot to unpack. The standout is the OnePlus Nord 5, a midrange smartphone packed with flagship-like features, though it’s skipping the US launch. Instead, US buyers are getting the sleek new Watch 3 43mm and Buds 4 earbuds. Meanwhile, Europe and India will see the full lineup, which includes the Nord CE 5 phone and OnePlus Pad Lite. Whether you're looking for a powerful phone, compact wearable, or budget-friendly tablet, OnePlus seems to have something for every kind of user in 2025.
Compact OnePlus Watch 3 and Buds 4 debut in the US
If you're in the US, the most exciting new additions are the Watch 3 43mm and Buds 4. The updated Watch 3 now comes in a smaller, sleeker form factor that fixes the bulky 47mm design of the original. While you’ll trade some battery life—down to 60 hours from 120—the streamlined look and new wellness features, like fatigue tracking and cycle tracking, make it worth a look. As for the OnePlus Buds 4, they deliver rich audio with dual drivers, Hi-Res support, and spatial audio—all for just $129.99. The improved touch controls are also a small but meaningful upgrade.
OnePlus Nord 5 is feature-packed—but skips the US
The OnePlus Nord 5 is clearly the headliner in this product drop, with a 144Hz OLED display, Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 chip, and a surprisingly powerful 50MP selfie camera. It's also the first global model to ditch the Alert Slider for a new customizable Plus Key—which can launch AI tasks by default. Priced at €449 / £399, the Nord 5 offers excellent value for gamers and power users alike. It also ships with four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, showing OnePlus’ growing commitment to long-term support.
Pad Lite and Nord CE 5 round out the lineup
Also launching in Europe are the Nord CE 5 and OnePlus Pad Lite. The Nord CE 5 is a slightly downgraded version of the Nord 5, with a slower MediaTek chip and less premium screen, but it retains the same big 5,200mAh battery and fast charging. The Pad Lite targets budget-conscious buyers with its 11-inch 2K display, large 9,340mAh battery, and a starting price of just €229 / £199. It’s a great entry-level tablet—especially with the LTE upgrade for a small premium. These devices show OnePlus doubling down on accessible, yet capable tech across all price points.
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