The OnePlus Nord 4, a phone nestled in the price bracket just below the OnePlus 12R, boasts a unique feature: a metal back panel. This makes it the first and only 5G phone with a metal construction, and OnePlus touts it as a key differentiator, claiming that it improves the phone’s performance by enhancing heat dissipation.
But is this claim just marketing hype, or does the metal back truly make a difference? To find out, we subjected the Nord 4 to a series of demanding tests, designed to push its limits and assess its cooling capabilities. These tests included 4K video recording, fast charging, and, most importantly, gaming.
The theory behind the metal back’s cooling prowess is simple. Metal is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning it can quickly transfer heat away from the phone’s internal components, like the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset and the battery, which are major sources of heat. This, in turn, helps prevent the phone from overheating and potentially throttling its performance.
Our initial tests involved 4K video recording, which puts a significant strain on the phone’s chipset, storage, and image signal processor (ISP). The results showed that while the phone did heat up noticeably, the metal back facilitated a relatively quick cooling process, with the phone returning to its original temperature in 17 minutes.
Next, we tested the Nord 4’s fast charging capabilities. The 100W charging speed, while commendable, generates a considerable amount of heat. Despite the heat buildup, the phone managed to cool down in a reasonable timeframe, albeit slightly longer than the video recording test. This aligns with our initial hypothesis that the metal back would be more effective in a cooler environment.
The true test, however, came with gaming. We chose Genshin Impact, a graphically demanding game, and ran it on the Nord 4 at its highest settings. We performed the test both in an air-conditioned room and a room without AC to assess the impact of environmental conditions.
The results were clear: the metal back significantly aided in cooling the phone during gaming sessions. While the phone did heat up, it never reached uncomfortably hot temperatures, and the internal temperatures remained consistently within acceptable limits. This was especially noticeable when compared to a similar phone with a plastic back, which retained significantly more heat.
While our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the metal back, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. Metal can obstruct 5G signals, although OnePlus has implemented strategies to mitigate this issue. Additionally, metal can heat up more quickly when exposed to direct sunlight, and it prevents the use of wireless charging and MagSafe accessories.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord 4’s metal back is a promising development. It offers a tangible performance advantage by enhancing cooling capabilities, particularly for demanding tasks like gaming. While it does come with its share of drawbacks, the benefits outweigh the limitations, making it a compelling feature for users seeking a well-performing mid-range phone.
