One of the best budget phones of the year is finally available unlocked in the US. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G was launched as T-Mobile’s exclusive in April, and that was the only way to get one, so far. The N20 5G is already on sale at Amazon, Best Buy or directly at OnePlus for $ 299 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Please note that the unlocked N20 will not work on Verizon, not on 5G or 4G. AT&T customers will only be able to connect to 4G, which isn’t bad at all, as the carrier is taking a slower approach to expand its more significant 5G mid-range coverage. Of course, T-Mobile subscribers will have 5G and 4G coverage.
This makes the unlocked N20 best suited for AT&T customers who don’t need 5G or someone with a T-Mobile MVNO like Google Fi or Mint Mobile. Or maybe you’re on T-Mobile and just don’t want to buy your phone through your carrier, which is a smart move if you can manage it.
It offers a contrast-rich OLED, while virtually all of its competitors include LCD
If any of the above describes your situation, then congratulations! The N20 is one of the best deals in its category. It offers a contrast-rich 6.4-inch OLED display, while virtually all of its competitors include LCD. It also supports a fast 33 W cable charge with the charger included and even offers a quick fingerprint sensor on the screen for a smooth unlock.
On the downside, the N20 is still on Android 11: new phones with Android 12, the current version of the operating system, have been shipped for months. OnePlus has promised an Android 12 update for the N20, but the clock is ticking as Android 13 is more than likely just around the corner.