Phone companies are in a constant battle for the limelight, and outstanding design remains central to that pursuit. OnePlus, which used to play with unusual but fascinating concepts, is now reviving the use of metal in phone design. The OnePlus Nord 4 launched on July 16 and the company has already started teasing its next version.
We’ve already given you a preview of the upcoming metal-backed OnePlus Nord 4, saving our final review until next week’s announcement. But ahead of the launch, I spoke with OnePlus President and COO Kinder Liu about the exciting aspects of the new design and the company’s commitment to what it claims is the “best fluidity” of its devices yet.
First, let’s talk about this design
Our conversation began with the design, which evokes a great deal of nostalgia. Metal-bodied phones dominated the second half of the 2010s, but were eventually phased out in favor of glass or plastic casings, leaving enthusiasts like me sorely disappointed.
I wondered what led to the choice of material. Liu told me that the journey back to metal was mainly inspired by four qualities it brings, namely “endurance, beauty, persistence and strength”. Understandably, metal phones don’t take hard drops as easily and are harder to break. While the beauty of a refined metal finish may be subjective—and rightly so in the eye of the beholder—they are undeniably more resistant to the effects of time, such as the micro-scratches that appear on glass phones after constant use.
Metal also improves performance, with the exterior acting as an effective surface to dissipate heat generated during tasks such as gaming. While this may mean your phone is likely to feel hotter while you’re using it, it will also cool down faster than most glass-backed phones. By preventing heat from being trapped inside the body, it will also prevent damage to internal components during prolonged use.
So what led to the ousting of metal phones and the dominance of glass as the material of choice for premium phones? I asked Liu, who replied, “Metal phones were all the rage before 5G networks. But as 5G gained popularity, smartphones needed more antennas.” Compared to just four antennas on the OnePlus 3T, the OnePlus 12 has more than 13.
The larger number of antennas leads to challenges in fitting more into the body. Meanwhile, metal bodies will interfere with the combined signals from these antennas, and so companies are starting to favor glass or plastic, while the use of metal remains limited to the side rails.
This made me wonder what is changing now and how OnePlus was able to achieve a metal build without affecting 5G signals. Liu informed me about overhauled antennas that are now 50% smaller than before. More importantly, OnePlus redesigned the motherboard and placed those antennas strategically so that the Nord 4’s case doesn’t interfere with cellular signal. The phone also has plastic inserts in places like the lower back to boost signal strength.
In addition to providing signal strength, OnePlus has also created a metal design with microscopic edges that look like bumps but result in a flat surface. This is something that glass suffers a lot from, even on the most premium phones and despite the toughest Gorilla Glass — or similarly tough — protective layers.
A new record for OnePlus software updates
But the OnePlus Nord 4 is more than just a design change aimed at durability. Software also plays a crucial role. In fact, it comes with the promise of the “longest software support package” from OnePlus.
Liu confirmed that the OnePlus Nord 4 gets four years of Android updates, starting with Android 14 and going all the way to Android 18 (or equivalent). Additionally, OnePlus will provide two more years of software support for important feature updates, including security patches. This brings the total support to six years, which is longer than any OnePlus phone in the past. It’s a step up from the OnePlus Nord 3, which was promised three years of Android updates and an additional year of security updates.
That’s in line with other mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy A55, which also promises five years of full software support, including four Android updates. The only mid-range Android phone to top it is the Google Pixel 8a, for which Google keeps a seven-year update window.
Extensive testing to support powerful claims
I asked if other OnePlus phones, especially previously released flagships like the OnePlus 12, would get the same treatment. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a concrete answer.
Instead, our conversation turned to Liu, who reiterated that it’s not just about making bold promises about the number of years a phone will receive updates. I was told that the phone should “stay fast and smooth for a long time, and so should its battery [should] too [be] in it for a long time.
To make sure everything goes according to plan, OnePlus engaged German testing agency TÜV SÜD to conduct a 72-month fluency test, which the company claims it passed. This test simulates extensive and labor-intensive tests, copying dozens of gigabytes worth of files and deleting them in rapid succession to load memory, installing and deleting hundreds of apps, and launching and closing various apps—all while accounting for startup times .
The test certifies that the OnePlus Nord 4 will run as smoothly after 72 months (six years) of use as it did on day one. In addition, the battery is charged and discharged multiple times to ensure longevity. OnePlus found that the battery remained in excellent condition despite 1,600 charge cycles.
These assurances should instill a sense of peace among buyers. Toward the end of our conversation, Liu noted that a phone without these guarantees is “like a strong house without a strong foundation. It looks good on the surface, but you really don’t want to live with it.
