OnePlus Nord 4: A Splash of Disappointment as Key Feature Goes Missing Globally?

Oh, the anticipation! We've all been eagerly awaiting the global launch of the OnePlus Nord 4, especially after hearing whispers – well, more like loud shouts – about its incredible Chinese counterpart, the OnePlus Ace 3V. That phone, let's be honest, landed with a serious splash, boasting an impressive Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip, a gorgeous 120Hz OLED display, a massive 5500 mAh battery, and lightning-fast 100W charging. But here's the kicker, the real cherry on top: it also arrived with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. Pretty neat, right?

Now, usually, when a device like the Ace 3V gets rebranded for the international market, we expect most of those stellar features to make the jump. It’s natural to hope for feature parity, or at least something close. So, when certifications for what's believed to be the global Nord 4 (carrying the model number CPH2621) started popping up, everyone was on the edge of their seats, scanning the specs with bated breath. And this is where things get a little... deflating.

It seems that while many of the Ace 3V’s core strengths – like that powerful Snapdragon processor, the generous battery, and the super-speedy charging – are very likely to grace the Nord 4, one rather significant detail appears to be missing. Yep, you guessed it: the IP65 water and dust resistance. Imagine that! The certifications simply aren't listing it, which, for a feature as important as this, usually means it's just not there. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, really.

So, what's going on? Why would OnePlus, a brand that often prides itself on delivering value, choose to omit such a crucial feature for its global audience? It could be a cost-saving measure, a way to hit a more aggressive price point in competitive markets. Or perhaps it’s an attempt to differentiate regional offerings, though honestly, denying global users a feature that’s already available elsewhere feels a little less like differentiation and more like, well, a downgrade. In an age where most of us want our phones to survive the occasional splash or dusty environment, an IP rating has become less of a luxury and more of a baseline expectation.

Don’t get me wrong, the Nord 4 is still shaping up to be a very capable phone. That Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset is no joke, promising smooth performance for gaming and everyday tasks. And with 100W charging, you won't be tethered to a wall outlet for long. But the absence of that IP65 rating? It’s a definite asterisk on what could have been a near-perfect mid-range contender. It just leaves you wondering, doesn't it, if we're getting the full, uncompromised experience or just a slightly watered-down version for the rest of the world.