OnePlus has announced the affordable Nord 5G, but don’t get your hopes up about a U.S. release.<\/b>
\nIf you\u2019re waiting for OnePlus\u2019s U. S. website to update with ordering information for the new 5G Nord, we\u2019ve got some bad news. It\u2019s not happening. Not later today or probably ever. The announcement of the long-rumored and oddly named Nord represents a return to OnePlus\u2019s mid-range mindset, but it\u2019s only launching in Europe and India. And while sales of the OnePlus 8 Pro are reportedly not great, the company isn\u2019t looking to bring the Nord to the States: \u201cOur history has shown that focusing on just a few markets first and then expanding has worked well. While this new smartphone product line will initially be available in Europe and India, we look forward to bringing more affordable smartphones to North America in the future.\u201d The phrasing might leave the door open to a possible launch, but the statement doesn\u2019t sound like the Nord is ever coming to the U. S. That\u2019s a shame. Even without the latest processor or display tech, the Nord is an extremely attractive 5G phone that brings flagship style and performance at an excellent price: The OnePlus Nord may cost hundreds less\u2014399 Euros, which works out to around $450 with current conversion rates\u2014but it includes many of the flagship features from the $699 OnePlus 8 and $899 OnePlus 8 Pro. It\u2019s got a 90Hz display for smooth scrolling,30T Warp Charge for super-fast charging, and of course,5G. It also includes the company\u2019s first dual-selfie cam as well as the same 48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor as the OnePlus 8. Of note, it also forgoes OnePlus\u2019s own message and phone apps for Google\u2019s stock Android apps, also a first. Following the thousand-dollar OnePlus 8 Plus, the Nord\u2019s price and philosophy is a refreshing return to the Never Settle motto. Unless, of course, you bought a OnePlus 8 and feel a little cheated. Or was thinking of buying the OnePlus 8 Pro and are now wondering why it\u2019s so expensive. In a sea of extremely high priced 5G phones, the Nord could have been a hit for the OnePlus in the U. S., but alas, the only place to get one will likely be eBay. Whether the Nord is a sign of things to come for future OnePlus handsets remains to be seen, but for now, U. S. fans likely have a long wait ahead of them.<\/p>\n