Here’s why I recommend the OnePlus over most budget phones – especially at $70 off

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

June Wan/ZDNET

Midrange smartphones like the OnePlus Nord N30 are a nice alternative to high-end devices like the OnePlus 13. They provide a premium experience without the exorbitant cost. And now, thanks to a new deal, this already affordable phone is even cheaper. The device typically costs $300, but as part of a new late Spring promotion, you can get it as low as $230 right now.

Also: I’m a phone expert and these Memorial Day mobile deals are too good to skip

For a limited time, you can head over to OnePlus’ digital store and buy the OnePlus Nord N30 5G for $230, a $70 discount. There’s no need to enter a special promo code or anything. The savings are automatically applied. Be aware that the device only comes in a single configuration. The OnePlus Nord N30 has 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage space, and a Chromatic Gray color scheme.

If the 23% discount wasn’t enough, the company is also offering a free gift with purchase. You can choose between a pair of Half In-Ear Wired Digital Type-C Earphones or a Sandstone Bumper Case.

OnePlus’ Nord N30 is a top-notch midrange smartphone that launched in 2023. In his review, ZDNET’s Matthew Miller praised the mobile device’s features. The N30 sports a high-resolution 6.72-inch AMOLED touchscreen with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz. All this tech ensures the display consistently outputs vibrant images and fluid videos for immersive media consumption.

Also: The OnePlus 12 is still on par with today’s flagship phones – and it’s on sale for $150 off

It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, which isn’t the most powerful chipset in the world. However, when combined with the “fairly stock OxygenOS UI,” it delivers a smooth performance. Phone calls sound “perfect,” as noted by Miller, and the camera system is decent for its price range. Just don’t expect it to compete with flagship smartphones.

The free earphones mentioned earlier plug directly into the Nord N30’s USB-C port. If you want the case, the phone does have a 3.5 mm audio jack for accepting other headphones. 

Joining OnePlus’ trade-in program can net you even more savings. For example, if you trade in a third-generation iPhone SE to Best Buy, you shave up to $51 off the Nord N30’s price — assuming the device is in good condition.

How I rated this deal

$70 off on a $300 purchase is a solid discount. I would recommend this mobile device even at full price, and here, we have nearly a third of its price chopped off in one swoop. As a result, ZDNET’s rating system grants this promotion a decent score of 3/5. I have seen the OnePlus Nord N30 go for even cheaper in the past. Hopefully, those previous sales returns, but $230 is not bad for the moment. 

As per OnePlus, this offer will end on May 31, 2025.

However, deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on a deal, but don’t fret — we constantly find new chances to save and share them with you on ZDNET.com


Show more

We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech. 

In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.

At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals are chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts. 

Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025


Show more

The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what’s next. Here’s what we know

Smartphones are among the most affected by the new US tariffs, with devices imported from China and Vietnam facing steep duties that could raise retail prices by 20% or more. Brands like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on Asian manufacturing, may either pass these costs on to consumers or absorb them at the expense of profit margins. 

The tariffs could also lead to delays in product launches or shifts in where and how phones are made, forcing companies to diversify production to countries with more favorable trade conditions.


Show more

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.



Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Google is working on theme packs for Pixels

Google is apparently working on bringing theme packs to its Pixel smartphones, according to a new report based on some code strings and a button in the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. The button belongs in the Pixel Wallpaper & Style app, and is intended to launch a Pixel Customization Packs app, which itself

Xiaomi 16 specs leak – GSMArena.com news

The Xiaomi 16 has a new round of leaked specs to speak of, courtesy of the prolific Weibo account Digital Chat Station. According to him, the phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, and will have three 50 MP rear cameras: a main one with a 1/1.3″ type sensor, an ultrawide,

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 ‘confirmed’ to be Exynos-powered in the US

The never-ending story of which chipset Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip7 will use where continues. We’ve heard it would be going with the Exynos 2500 across the world, then we heard that Samsung’s own chip would only be used in its home market of Korea, and now we’re back to Exynos everywhere – more or

vivo X200 Ultra Photography kit in action

vivo X200 Ultra Photography kit hands-on review Few things go hand in hand better with an Ultra, than a Photography kit. Xiaomi has been putting these out for several generations of its ultimate flagship, while vivo had a third-party option for the X100 Ultra last year. For the X200 Ultra, they’re making an official one,

Google Photos celebrates 10 years with a new editor

Google Photos has turned ten years old, believe it or not. To celebrate the occasion, it’s received some new features. First, a redesigned editor, which provides helpful suggestions (including AI suggestions that combine multiple effects). You can also tap an area of an image to only get suggestions for it. Reimagine and Auto frame are

Refurbished and Used Smartphones Market Projected to Surpass

Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market Overview of the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market The global refurbished and used mobile phones market is experiencing significant growth, with an estimated market size of US$ 73.1 billion in 2025. The market is expected to expand at a robust CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2032, reaching

Sony is reportedly turning to third-party manufacturers for its high-end phones

Sony’s using third-party manufacturers to produce its phones isn’t unheard of. The Japanese OEM has been doing so with its mid-rangers for a while, but according to the latest report, Sony will likely outsource its high-end smartphone manufacturing as well. According to a Japanese news outlet, this isn’t temporary and is likely a long-term strategy.

vivo S30 and S30 Pro mini announced

The vivo S30 series made its debut in China earlier today with two models. There’s the vanilla S30 which features a 6.67-inch AMOLED (FHD+ 120Hz) and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip. It is joined by the S30 Pro mini which dials down to a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED (FHD+ 120Hz) and opts for MediaTek Dimensity

How to add another account on Android

One of the great things about modern smartphones is how easy it to do everything on one device – and that includes managing your accounts. Google lets you quickly pick which Google account you want to use for each app, so you can easily move from one account to another. In some apps, like Google

Realme Neo7 Turbo brings a huge battery and 100W fast charging

Realme launched a new member of the Neo7 family in China. It comes with a 7,200 mAh battery with 100W wired charging, and its name is Realme Neo7 Turbo. The phone is quite similar to the Realme GT7 but with the chipset of the Realme GT 7. Realme Neo7 Turbo comes with a Dimensity 9400e

Google Store launches in India

Until now, Google’s products – especially smartphones – were sold in India only through online retailer Flipkart and partner offline retail outlets, including Croma, Vijay Sales, and Reliance. That changes today as Google has announced the launch of the Google Store in India, allowing direct purchase of its products from its online store. Benefits of

Motorola introduces the Moto G56, G86 and G86 Power

Motorola announced three new G-series smartphones in its portfolio. While the trio looks nearly identical, there are some subtle differences in the specs department. Moto G86 and G86 Power share the same basic hardware, apart from the battery, which in the case of the latter is the largest cell ever fitted in a Motorola smartphone

Lava launches entry-level Bold N1 and N1 Pro in India next week

Lava is launching a new phone series in India next week – the two Bold phones are sub-₹7,000 4G Androids. The new series consists of two models: a Pro that runs Android 14 and a vanilla model that runs Android 14 Go Edition. Lava Bold N1 Pro That and the price are

Tecno Pova Curve 5G is official – 7.5mm slim, 5,500mAh battery, AI for days

It’s official – the Tecno Pova Curve 5G is here and it’s India’s slimmest (7.5mm) curved phone with a 5,500mAh battery! The curvature? It’s 55°, which Tecno says makes the in-hand feel futuristic. The Tecno Pova Curve comes in three colors – Magic Silver, Neon Cyan, and Geek Black. Unlike Povas of old, we don’t

Apple is planning a new direction for its OS naming scheme

Apple may be ditching its usual operating system naming scheme in favor of a yearly aligned approach. A recent report from Bloomberg News suggests Apple will align its new operating systems with the upcoming year following its release, similar to the approach of US car releases. This means we’ll be getting iOS 26 instead of

Apple Card gets another cut on interest rate

Apple Card is a banking service for Apple users in the United States. It has a Savings feature, allowing customers to earn interest on cashback deals, and the rate was 4.15% when introduced. The rate changed several times over time – in March, it was 3.75%, and today, it is reduced to 3.65%, its lowest

Thousands in Oxfordshire pledge to keep children smartphone-free

Martin Eastaugh & Molly Pipe BBC News BBC Campaigners have been pushing for legislation to ban smartphones in schools The parents of nearly 4,000 Oxfordshire children have pledged to deny them a smartphone until at least the end of Year Nine. It is part of the “parent pact” launched by campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood.

New mystery Redmi phone surfaces at the FCC

Earlier this month a mystery Redmi phone stopped by the FCC on its way to launch with no 5G and a 6,000 mAh battery. Today, we have another one – still a Redmi, also a mystery. This device does have 5G support, however, along with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and NFC. It will run

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x