OnePlus responded to Google and Samsung’s seven-year software support for their flagships last February by saying that more than five years didn’t make financial sense. Five months later, the Chinese manufacturer appears to have changed its mind. The company’s chief operating officer, Kinder Liu, announced that the OnePlus Nord 4 will receive security patches for six years from its launch.
It is not known what approach it will take for devices that were previously promised five-year updates, such as the OnePlus 12. While these devices are also likely to be updated for six years, it is also possible that the company will limit this to only OnePlus 13 and later devices.
It is also known that the Nord 4 will receive four major Android updates. This was also the case for the OnePlus 11 and 12. Another noteworthy point is that the Nord 4 will receive one more update compared to Samsung’s Galaxy A55 and A35 models. It can be said that this is an advantage, especially since the A55 is among the Nord 4’s direct competitors.
The metal unibody design of the Nord 4 could also help it to establish itself in a different place in the smartphone market. For many years, manufacturers have not preferred such designs. Kinder Liu stated that the metal preference was made in light of criteria such as “durability, beauty, permanence and strength”; and stated that manufacturers are keeping their distance from metal due to the lack of problems with 5G connectivity.
OnePlus has managed to find a solution to this problem with the Nord 4. The Nord 4’s antennas are 50 percent smaller than those found on previous models and are strategically placed so that the body doesn’t block the signal. The device also features plastic prongs in places like the bottom of the back to allow the signal to pass through.
OnePlus Nord 4 to be unveiled on July 16
The Nord 4 was tested by TÜV SÜD by simulating 72 months of use and was confirmed to remain as smooth as the first day after a while. The smartphone will be officially revealed on July 16.