OnePlus is offering a select few US and Canada-based consumers the opportunity to get their hands on the new Nord smartphone. This follows the official launch of the OnePlus Nord where the company confirmed the device’s availability. As part of that announcement was the confirmation that there are currently no plans for the Nord smartphone to go on sale in either the United States or Canada.
The new OnePlus Nord is all about offering many of the core features that OnePlus buyers like, in a smartphone that’s very cheap. For example, anyone who picks up a Nord phone can expect 5G support, a 90 Hz AMOLED display, and the camera setup from the OnePlus 8, at a minimum. To put the price into perspective, everywhere the Nord will be on sale, it will cost less than $500. At the price, Nord offers considerable value for those in a location where it will be available.
While the US and Canada are not currently a part of Nord’s rollout plans, the company has announced a new beta program that will let 50 residents get their hands on the device. Unlike a competition where you just enter and hope to win, this is not a situation where the ‘winners’ will simply get the phone. Instead, OnePlus is positioning this program as a sort of reviewer platform and those selected are expected to provide the company with feedback on their Nord experience. Even then, some might find they still can’t keep the phone.
Getting Started With The OnePlus Nord Beta Program
Applying to be part of the Nord beta program is relatively simply and as easy as filling out this form. However, with only 50 spaces up for grabs, the chances of being selected are quite low. Furthermore, the window for applying is relatively short, considering it only opened today and will close again on Tuesday, July 28 at 10:30 pm EST. Following which, OnePlus says it will announce the select 50 reviewers a week later, on August 4, 2020.
As mentioned, this is not a general giveaway, but an event the company is using to get feedback on its new device. Therefore, OnePlus explains that it will be providing the selected 50 with a ‘feedback form’ that will need to be filled in. Additionally, OnePlus also expects the reviewers to actually review the smartphone, emphasizing the use of benchmarks, photos, and making comparisons to other devices. At a minimum, OnePlus expects the review to be published in the OnePlus Community, although the company is also encouraging publishing on the reviewer’s individual social media channels as well.
Another caveat to be aware of before applying is that even if someone is hand-picked to give Nord a try, the company indicates that not all of the 50 will be able to keep the phone once the review period has come to an end. OnePlus doesn’t really detail this point too much, although the announcement seems to indicate that if the company deems a review worthy and unique enough, it will let the reviewer keep the device. Otherwise, probably not. Either way, OnePlus says it will get in contact with all participants and let them know if they can or cannot keep the Nord smartphone.
