The OnePlus Nord 5's Marble Design Is My Favorite Thing About This Phone
The back of the Nord 5 has an unusual design that looks like marble. I don't know how OnePlus has done it, but the way that the material catches the light makes it look deeply three dimensional. Running your finger across it however will prove that it is actually flat. The CE5 doesn't look as 'deep' but it includes hues of purple and a hint of green that gives it a pearlescent look that's different, but no less attractive to look at.
The marble-like appearance looks great in person -- the light refracts through the 'waves' in a way that makes it look genuinely three dimensional.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
It makes the phones look more premium than their prices would suggest. Starting at £299 in the UK the Nord CE5 is the cheaper of the two although the £399 Nord 5 doesn't exactly break the bank either. Both phones are up for preorder this week, and while neither will be officially available to buy in the US, those prices convert to $407 and $543, respectively.
Beyond the fancy aesthetics, the Nord 5 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 processor which should be more than powerful enough for all your everyday needs. The phone also includes a large 6.83-inch display and a 5,200mAh battery with a fast 80W charging speed.
It doesn't come across that easily in photographs, but the Nord CE 5's back has a more pearlescent finish which looks very pretty.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The Nord CE5 uses a lower-end MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chip, which should still be sufficient for most tasks. The CE5 has a slightly smaller 6.77-inch display and despite its lower price it too boasts a 5,200mAh battery with 80W fast charging. OnePlus says that both phones will receive four years of software updates and six years of security updates.
The Nord 5 and the Nord CE5. Both classy. Both cheap.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
For the price it's not a bad lineup of specs for either phone and I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform in everyday use. But if nothing else, it's certainly refreshing to see some fun design choices in the budget end of phones.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Amid increased momentum for defense, the NATO Innovation Fund refreshes its investment team
Two years after securing $1 billion in commitments from over 20 countries, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) is entering a new chapter, marked by the arrival of two new partners and the departure of its penultimate founding team partner. In a context of increased military spending across NATO members, investment in dual-use technology has skyrocketed since the initiative was first announced in 2021. Once a no-go-zone for institutional investors, defense and resilience tech last reached an all-time high of 10% of all VC funding in Europe, where nearly all NIF's backers are located. This booming interest should have given NIF a first-mover advantage, but the fund was hampered by management challenges and a series of high-profile departures. After the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague reaffirmed its importance last June, NIF is now emerging with an almost entirely new investment team. It is composed of three partners. While NIF originally had four partners and one managing partner, a person familiar with NIF said that this flat, three-partner model will be the structure in place for the foreseeable future, suggesting that no new hires are to be expected. These two appointments had previously been rumored, but the identities of the new partners had not been confirmed. Two of the partners are new hires: Ulrich Quay and Sander Verbrugge, who will be based in Amsterdam. Quay, a German national, was most recently in charge of corporate investments as a vice president at BMW, where he previously founded and led corporate venture fund BMW i Ventures. Verbrugge, a Dutch PhD in molecular biophysics, was previously a partner at deep tech VC fund Innovation Industries, which he joined after working at semiconductor design and manufacturing company NXP. The third partner is London-based VC Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, now the last remaining member of the original investment team. Alongside the new hires, the fund announced the departure of founding team partner Kelly Chen, who confirmed to TechCrunch that it was her decision and that she will be stepping away to build a new venture. Chris O'Connor, another founding team partner, departed earlier this year with similar plans. Chen currently sits on the board of several startups backed by NIF, but will transition her board responsibilities once her employment at the NIF has wrapped up, TechCrunch learned from its chief communications and marketing officer, Amalia Kontesi. While some observers wish the fund had deployed capital faster, she said NIF 'is on track to meet [its] investing goals for the year.' Since its inception, NIF has made 19 investments: seven into funds such as OTB Ventures, and 12 into startups including Space Forge and Tekever, which makes dual-use drones. Still, adding new partners with industrial and scientific backgrounds, no matter how impressive, may not satisfy those who wish that the fund could invest in Ukraine or pure defense, as opposed to dual use, in response to Russia's war economy. But it is also in line with NIF's broader thesis to 'empower deep tech founders to address challenges in defence, security, and resilience.' However, NIF has also ramped up its efforts on the defense side. Its team was heavily involved in the development of NATO's Rapid Adoption Action Plan, aimed at accelerating the adoption and integration of new technological products for defense. NIF has also been building up its Mission Platform Group with strategic hires including John Ridge, who was hired as chief adoption officer in 2024 to help portfolio startups navigate military procurement. As for its new partners, they were once again hired through a process previously described by VC Michael Jackson as akin to 'building a boy band' — identified by NIF's board of directors and approved by LPs, rather than having teamed up based on shared history or chemistry. This may be inevitable for an organization that now counts 24 countries as limited partners, but was often pointed as one reason the previous team didn't gel. This time, all three partners got to meet throughout the recruitment process and spend time together since then to 'ensure a smooth transition and to position the team for long term success,' Kontesi said. In a statement shared exclusively with TechCrunch, NIF's vice chair, professor Fiona Murray, compared the organization to a startup. 'We are proud of what we accomplished but like any effective team we are learning, experimenting, improving: speeding up our processes, expanding our platform support for startups, doubling down on ecosystem building and more broadly recognizing the need to build the sector and the capital stack.' Murray expressed pride in having brought together a qualified team that can collaborate effectively, creatively and quickly. 'They will enable us to move even more rapidly and decisively to drive the Alliance's technological agenda and support the best founders across European ecosystems,' she previously wrote in a joint statement with NIF's chair, Klaus Hommels. Hommels' other activities as an investor have prompted questions about possible conflicts of interest, but no change appears to have been made to his role during NIF's recent LP meeting in Venice. Rather than dwelling further on its reorganization, NIF seems set on helping NATO become more resilient. 'In this next phase,' NIF's vice chair said, 'you'll see us refocus on DSR opportunities and emphasize building companies that can drive industrial scale and really support ecosystems across Europe.'
TechCrunch
4 hours ago
- TechCrunch
Amid increased momentum for defense, the NATO Innovation Fund refreshes its investment team
Two years after securing $1 billion in commitments from over 20 countries, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) is entering a new chapter, marked by the arrival of two new partners and the departure of its penultimate founding team partner. In a context of increased military spending across NATO members, investment in dual-use technology has skyrocketed since the initiative was first announced in 2021. Once a no-go-zone for institutional investors, defense and resilience tech last reached an all-time high of 10% of all VC funding in Europe, where nearly all NIF's backers are located. This booming interest should have given NIF a first-mover advantage, but the fund was hampered by management challenges and a series of high-profile departures. After the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague reaffirmed its importance last June, NIF is now emerging with an almost entirely new investment team. It is composed of three partners. While NIF originally had four partners and one managing partner, a person familiar with NIF said that this flat, three-partner model will be the structure in place for the foreseeable future, suggesting that no new hires are to be expected. These two appointments had previously been rumored, but the identities of the new partners had not been confirmed. Two of the partners are new hires: Ulrich Quay and Sander Verbrugge, who will be based in Amsterdam. Quay, a German national, was most recently in charge of corporate investments as a vice president at BMW, where he previously founded and led corporate venture fund BMW i Ventures. Verbrugge, a Dutch PhD in molecular biophysics, was previously a partner at deep tech VC fund Innovation Industries, which he joined after working at semiconductor design and manufacturing company NXP. The third partner is London-based VC Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, now the last remaining member of the original investment team. Alongside the new hires, the fund announced the departure of founding team partner Kelly Chen, who confirmed to TechCrunch that it was her decision and that she will be stepping away to build a new venture. Chris O'Connor, another founding team partner, departed earlier this year with similar plans. Chen currently sits on the board of several startups backed by NIF, but will transition her board responsibilities once her employment at the NIF has wrapped up, TechCrunch learned from its chief communications and marketing officer, Amalia Kontesi. While some observers wish the fund had deployed capital faster, she said NIF 'is on track to meet [its] investing goals for the year.' Since its inception, NIF has made 19 investments: seven into funds such as OTB Ventures, and 12 into startups including Space Forge and Tekever, which makes dual-use drones. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Still, adding new partners with industrial and scientific backgrounds, no matter how impressive, may not satisfy those who wish that the fund could invest in Ukraine or pure defense, as opposed to dual use, in response to Russia's war economy. But it is also in line with NIF's broader thesis to 'empower deep tech founders to address challenges in defence, security, and resilience.' However, NIF has also ramped up its efforts on the defense side. Its team was heavily involved in the development of NATO's Rapid Adoption Action Plan, aimed at accelerating the adoption and integration of new technological products for defense. NIF has also been building up its Mission Platform Group with strategic hires including John Ridge, who was hired as chief adoption officer in 2024 to help portfolio startups navigate military procurement. As for its new partners, they were once again hired through a process previously described by VC Michael Jackson as akin to 'building a boy band' — identified by NIF's board of directors and approved by LPs, rather than having teamed up based on shared history or chemistry. This may be inevitable for an organization that now counts 24 countries as limited partners, but was often pointed as one reason the previous team didn't gel. This time, all three partners got to meet throughout the recruitment process and spend time together since then to 'ensure a smooth transition and to position the team for long term success,' Kontesi said. In a statement shared exclusively with TechCrunch, NIF's vice chair, professor Fiona Murray, compared the organization to a startup. 'We are proud of what we accomplished but like any effective team we are learning, experimenting, improving: speeding up our processes, expanding our platform support for startups, doubling down on ecosystem building and more broadly recognizing the need to build the sector and the capital stack.' Murray expressed pride in having brought together a qualified team that can collaborate effectively, creatively and quickly. 'They will enable us to move even more rapidly and decisively to drive the Alliance's technological agenda and support the best founders across European ecosystems,' she previously wrote in a joint statement with NIF's chair, Klaus Hommels. Hommels' other activities as an investor have prompted questions about possible conflicts of interest, but no change appears to have been made to his role during NIF's recent LP meeting in Venice. Rather than dwelling further on its reorganization, NIF seems set on helping NATO become more resilient. 'In this next phase,' NIF's vice chair said, 'you'll see us refocus on DSR opportunities and emphasize building companies that can drive industrial scale and really support ecosystems across Europe.'
CNET
12 hours ago
- CNET
Wyze's New Lamp Socket Can Smarten Up Your Outdoor Lighting. Here's How It Works
Looking for a way to smarten up your outdoor lighting? The Wyze Lamp Socket v2 is now available, and it's got some upgrades over its predecessor. Wyze released the first version of the lamp socket in 2021, but a lot has changed since then and the socket may no longer be compatible with all of your upgraded smart home tech. Wyze has made a few changes that may be welcome upgrades, such as higher bulb wattage and improved quality. So what's new with the Wyze Lamp Socket v2? Here's what we found and what to know before you order it. Read more: Wyze's New Bulb Cam Turns Any Light Bulb Socket Into a Security Camera How the Wyze Lamp Socket v2 works The smart home tech company's socket powers your Wyze camera using your outdoor light's electricity. You can control the light using the Wyze mobile app. Using them together, you can set your outdoor lights to turn on when your camera detects motion. You can set up multiple sockets for your camera for more lighting. Picture your front porch and garage lights both turning on when your camera detects a visitor -- and you'll get camera notifications from the Wyze app. The socket also has dusk-to-dawn automation, so you won't have to worry about your lights turning on in broad daylight. Keep in mind that the socket is not water or weatherproof; however, Wyze says it's suitable for damp areas. And Wyze doesn't recommend using incandescent bulbs for it, but rather CFL or LED bulbs under 20 watts. What Wyze cameras are compatible with the Lamp Socket v2? The socket is also compatible with these Wyze cameras: Wyze Cam v3 Wyze v3 Pro Wyze Cam v4 Wyze Cam OG Wyze Cam Pan v3 An expert's take: The Wyze Lamp Socket can level up your outdoor lighting Tyler Lacoma, CNET's home editor, pointed out that Wyze's lamp socket does something most security cameras haven't yet. "Most smart bulbs are indoor lights with a connected bulb," said Lacoma. "Wyze's approach is much more unique -- it upgrades the socket itself so you can use any bulb, and it's specifically designed for outdoor lamps, filling a niche where not many smart options are available." The Wyze Lamp Socket v2 is available on Amazon and Wyze's website for $17. It comes with a one-year warranty.
