OnePlus Launches World’s First All-Metal 5G Phone: A Bold Step or Just a Gimmick?

OnePlus has dropped the gauntlet with the launch of the OnePlus Nord 4, boldly claiming the title of the world’s first all-metal 5G smartphone.

Let’s be clear, though—while the body is fully made of precision-milled aluminium, the screen is still very much glass. Still, this new device pushes the limits of smartphone engineering at a time when many brands are using less metal and more glass to support the demands of 5G.

At just 7.99mm thick, the OnePlus Nord 4 is sleek, minimalistic, and a design triumph for those who crave that industrial feel in their hand.

The unibody construction, milled from a single piece of aluminium, is undoubtedly impressive, evoking a sense of durability that few phones in its class offer. But is this innovation as groundbreaking as OnePlus claims, or simply a shiny distraction?

Metal and 5G: A Match Made in Heaven—or a Compromise?

While metal phones aren’t new, OnePlus’ claim to fame here is the fact that they’ve managed to integrate 5G antennas into an all-metal body—a feat that previously seemed near-impossible.

The challenge is simple: metal interferes with signals. This is why we’ve seen a rise in glass-backed phones over the past few years, as 5G needs space for more antennas to accommodate the increased data flow.

OnePlus is flipping the script with what it calls "technological breakthroughs," including a redesigned motherboard and antennas that are supposedly over 50% smaller than previous models.

The company is essentially boasting that they’ve defied physics, creating a phone that merges cutting-edge design with the robust connectivity required in today’s 5G world.

But it’s still an open question: will this design trade-off lead to signal drops, or does OnePlus actually deliver on its promise? Time (and customer feedback) will tell.

If there’s one area where the OnePlus Nord 4 shines, it’s under the hood. Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 processor and configurable up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, this device is poised to be a workhorse.

Whether you're gaming or multi-tasking between heavy apps, performance shouldn’t be an issue.

OnePlus has also packed a 5,500mAh battery into this slim body—its largest yet—backed by 100W fast charging, allowing users to go from 0 to 100% in a blistering 28 minutes. Five hours of Netflix from a five-minute charge?

That's the kind of promise that resonates with the binge-watching crowd.

Cameras and AI: Perfect for the Modern Creator

OnePlus has equipped the Nord 4 with a 50-megapixel camera using Sony’s LYT-600 sensor, which brings optical image stabilisation and crisp, colour-accurate shots.

The ultra-wide lens and selfie camera are neither slouches, coming in at 112-degree field-of-view and 16 megapixels, respectively.

But OnePlus isn’t just leaning on hardware to impress; it’s also banking on AI to take your photography game to the next level.

Tools like AI Eraser, AI Clear Face, and AI Smart Cutout 2.0 allow users to tweak photos directly on the phone, while features like AI Best Face, which promises to ‘open the eyes’ of your group photos' blinking victims, are still on the way.

These AI features aren’t just gimmicks; they cater to the content creator culture that thrives on mobile photography.

In an industry where Android devices often get left behind in terms of updates, OnePlus has made a commitment that stands out: six years of security updates and four major Android versions.

This is the longest support package the company has ever offered, providing peace of mind to buyers that their device won’t be obsolete in a year or two.

This move is a much-needed breath of fresh air in the Android ecosystem, where phones are often ditched for the next big thing after a short life cycle.

The Verdict: A New Chapter for OnePlus, but Is It the Right One?

OnePlus has always been the brand for those who want premium features without the premium price tag, and the Nord 4 is no exception, starting at £429.

It’s affordable, packed with features, and, let’s face it—looks incredibly cool.

But the all-metal body feels like more of a branding exercise than a true game-changer. Sure, it’s innovative in how it merges form and function with 5G, but whether this design is truly a leap forward or just a shiny coat of paint remains to be seen.

And in true OnePlus fashion, they've leaned all the way into their rock-star branding by partnering with Finnish heavy metal band Lordi for their campaign.

It’s bold, it’s brash, and, in a way, perfectly encapsulates what OnePlus is going for with the Nord 4. But is it the device you absolutely must have? Only if you’re as much a fan of metal (in more ways than one) as OnePlus clearly is.