Poll: Would you buy a sub-$400 OnePlus Nord in the US?

OnePlus has alluded to releases of future Nord phones in the US, and that seems increasingly probable with rumors of an N10 5G variant. If reports are accurate, it would deliver Nord staples like a 90Hz display and quad rear cameras while keeping the price under $400 — important at a time when cheap-yet-powerful phones like the Pixel 4a are gaining traction.

It wouldn’t be without sacrifices, however. The N10 5G would reportedly switch to a Snapdragon 690 instead of the 765G found in the already-released OnePlus Nord. You could get an improved 64MP main camera, but you’d still have the same 8MP wide-angle camera as well as two 2MP sensors that (let’s be honest) might not be very useful. If you were wary of the existing Nord’s photographic abilities, the N10 5G wouldn’t change your mind.

That makes for a potentially difficult choice. Do you spring for the first low-cost Nord headed to the US, or give it a pass as you either wait for a follow-up or pursue one of its rivals?

There may be advantages to the OnePlus Nord N10 5G even with its claimed drawbacks. OnePlus is known for making a fast, responsive take on Android with customizations that frequently improve your real-world experience.  The core OnePlus experience would remain intact, and that could be all-important if you just want the essentials.

At the same time, there’s little doubt that you’re taking a bit of a gamble. OnePlus is relatively new to modern budget phones (the OnePlus X doesn’t count), and there were early reports of screen tinting problems with the Nord. There’s also the question of whether or not it will be the best possible use of your money. The Pixel 4a, for instance, will likely offer better photography, faster OS updates, and exclusive (or Pixel-first) features. It might be worth examining your options carefully before getting the OnePlus Nord N10 5G the moment it’s released.

Next: Google Pixel 4a vs OnePlus Nord