OnePlus Nord 4's Sturdy Design Comes at a Cost: A Repair Nightmare?
The OnePlus Nord 4 has made a splash with its return to a metal unibody design, a rarity in the 2024 Android smartphone world. However, this seemingly robust chassis may have a major drawback – it's incredibly difficult to repair.
Popular teardown YouTuber PBKReviews recently put the Nord 4 through its paces, and the results were not pretty. The phone received one of the lowest reparability scores of the year so far.
While the exposed screws on either side of the USB-C port hinted at easy access, prying open the aluminum chassis proved to be a nightmare. Plastic picks were essentially useless, requiring the use of metal tools instead. This significantly increases the risk of scratching and damaging the phone's housing during repairs.
Adding to the difficulty, the Nord 4 has a two-stage teardown process. A glass camera cover glued on top of the aluminum back hides several screws and needs to be removed separately. This further increases the complexity and risk of damage.
Durability vs. Reparability
On a more positive note, the Nord 4's metal build, IP65 rating, and sturdy design suggest it might be more durable and resistant to drops compared to typical glass-sandwich smartphones. Additionally, the battery and display appear to be replaceable, although caution is still advised.
However, these positives are overshadowed by the sheer difficulty of accessing the phone's internals. PBKReviews highlighted the excessive time spent on the teardown, with the rear camera cover alone taking nearly an hour to remove. Ultimately, the Nord 4 received a disappointing reparability score of 4/10, even lower than the previously reviewed CMF Phone 1.
A Tough Choice for Consumers
This teardown highlights a potential concern for consumers considering the Nord 4. While its durable design is appealing, the difficulty and risks associated with repair should be factored into the purchasing decision.
