Why I recommend this budget OnePlus over competing Android phones – especially at $70 off

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 June promotion, you can get it as low as $230 right now.

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For a limited time, you can head over to Best Buy 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.

Be aware that this deal applies to the Unlocked Nord N30, meaning you can choose your preferred phone carrier. But if you choose to connect to either Verizon or AT&T, you’ll save $170 and only pay $130 for the OnePlus Nord N30. That is nearly 57% off.

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.

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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 in good condition, you can shave off $50 off your purchase.

How I rated this deal

In this instance, ZDNET’s final rating depends on which deal you choose. The first deal, which involves an unlocked OnePlus Nord N30, gets a score of 3/5. $70 off on a $300 purchase is a solid discount. But if you choose to connect to Verizon or AT&T as your carrier, the deal is elevated to 5/5. That’s a perfect score, and at the time of this writing, that’s the lowest price I’ve seen for this phone.

I would recommend this mobile device even at full price, and here, we have over 50% of its price chopped off in one fell swoop. I’m actually considering picking this up myself. If you’re in the market for a new phone, you should be too.

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