Just a few months after launching the Nord 2, OnePlus has re-packed the phone in a striking Pac-Man edition — and we got to go hands-on with it. For years now, OnePlus has become known for dressing up its devices for fun marketing campaigns. It created a Cyberpunk 2077 version of the OnePlus 8T, a Marvel Avengers edition OnePlus 6, and even a Star Wars model for the OnePlus 5T. These limited edition phones aren't for everyone, but as a way to keep the OnePlus portfolio exciting, they are always fun to see.
2021 has been no different for OnePlus in this regard. In June, the company launched a 'Flash Silver' variant of the OnePlus 9 Pro featuring design work by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. OnePlus also launched a Genshin Impact-themed OnePlus 9RT for fans of the wildly popular RPG. Two limited-edition smartphones in one year certainly is a lot of work. For OnePlus, however, it apparently wasn't enough.
Beginning November 16, OnePlus will start selling the OnePlus Nord 2 x Pac-Man Edition. The phone is the same Nord 2 that launched in July, but the hardware, software, and even the packaging have been given a total Pac-Man makeover. That may seem like an odd choice over a more recent movie or game — and that's because it is. But OnePlus says it went with the Pac-Man partnership because it brought "more fun" to the Nord 2. After going hands-on with the phone and spending some quality time with it, it's safe to say that the 'fun' factor really is on full display.
OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition: The Packaging
It all starts with the packaging. While most smartphone boxes try to be as small and insignificant as possible, the Pac-Man Nord 2 does the exact opposite. It comes in a tall rectangular package that's multiple times larger than most smartphone boxes of 2021. The outer layer opens up to reveal a fun ghost theme on the inside, along with the actual box resting in the middle.
The box is covered in a reflective coating with a pattern of the iconic Pac-Man maze (parts of which spell 'Nord' if you look really closely). Upon opening it up, you're treated to the Nord 2 itself, a charging cable, 65W power adapter, pre-applied screen protector, and a Pac-Man-themed case. Is it over the top and unnecessary? Sure. But is it also a fun presentation that creates a great first impression? Absolutely.
As if that wasn't enough, the Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition also comes with its own little Lego set. OnePlus includes instructions to make a cute phone stand that props up the Nord 2 horizontally or vertically — along with small figurines of everyone's favorite ghosts.
OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition: The Phone
Of course, the packaging is just a small part of the experience. What really matters is the phone itself. Thankfully, OnePlus knocked it out of the park here as well. The back of the Nord 2 has a glossy finish and shows a small Pac-Man icon gobbling up a bunch of dots. As you tilt the phone and look at it in different lighting conditions, however, you'll also notice the same maze pattern that's seen on the box.
While OnePlus could have stopped there and called it a day, there's even more to the phone's design. The minute you take the Pac-Man Nord 2 into a dim or pitch-black room, the back starts glowing in the dark in a retro green color. It's not quite as intense as what OnePlus shows in its marketing materials, but it's still one of the coolest smartphone designs I've seen all year long.
There are other little touches on the phone, too. The alert slider is bright blue, the dots are highly reflective in certain lighting, and there's a small 'OnePlus x Pac-Man' branding in the upper-left corner on the back. It'd be easy to look at the phone from a distance and not think much of it, but the moment you start to inspect it closely, that's when the character really comes to life.
The only thing more impressive than the Pac-Man Edition's hardware is the software. As it usually does with these limited edition handsets, OnePlus has modified its OxygenOS interface with a healthy dose of Pac-Man-inspired elements. There are exclusive wallpapers, a Pac-Man icon pack, ringtones, a Pac-Man-style device theme, and more. Some of these are even locked behind special challenges built into the Nord 2's software. Users can consult the included instruction manual for tips on how to unlock everything, or simply dig through the phone and try to figure it out for themselves.
Outside of those changes, the OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition is still the same OnePlus Nord 2 that launched in July. That means it has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor, and 50MP primary camera. It's not a groundbreaking spec sheet by any means, but it's still more than capable for a mid-tier Android handset in late 2021.
OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition: Availability & Price
That brings us to the most disappointing aspect of the OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition — its availability. Like other versions of the Nord 2, OnePlus isn't selling the phone anywhere in North America. Instead, it's only available to shoppers in either Europe or India. That's not necessarily surprising, but it is still disappointing that so many people have to miss out on the thing.
If you do happen to live in Europe or India, the good news is that the OnePlus Nord 2 Pac-Man Edition will be available for purchase tomorrow. It comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and costs €529, £499, or ₹37,999 depending on the market you're in. If you've been eyeing the Nord 2 and waiting for a good reason to buy, this may be it.
Source: OnePlus