The OnePlus Nord 4 is making a bold statement with its design, particularly with its all-metal unibody construction. This is a departure from the trend of blending metal and glass in smartphones, harking back to a design philosophy that has become increasingly rare. The all-metal unibody means the entire chassis is crafted from a single piece of machined metal, offering a unique feel and aesthetic.
Immediately noticeable is the phone’s exceptional feel in hand. The smooth, uninterrupted curve of the chassis, devoid of any material transitions, eliminates any sharp edges or uncomfortable ridges. Even the subtle antenna bands, the plastic inserts crucial for cellular and Wi-Fi reception, are seamlessly integrated with the surface, making them virtually undetectable by touch.
While the back of the OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a mostly metal design, the top camera module is crafted from glass and houses two cameras and two flash units. The Mercurial Silver model, pictured here, features a cool two-tone finish on the back, complemented by a subtly ridged texture. Despite its reflective nature, the finish remains visually appealing and remarkably resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
The ever-popular Alert Slider, a OnePlus hallmark, is conveniently positioned on the top left side of the phone. However, its placement high on the body might make it slightly awkward to reach and fiddle with absentmindedly. Nevertheless, its presence is a welcome addition. The opposite side houses the power key and volume rocker, while the base features a SIM tray, USB-C charging port, and speaker outlet.
The OnePlus Nord 4 follows in the footsteps of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, launched just last month, as well as the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, all released in a busy 2024 for the company. OnePlus has scheduled a launch event for July 16, where they will unveil all the remaining details about the OnePlus Nord 4.