OnePlus Ace 5 Racing review
This phone suits buyers who prioritize battery life and screen smoothness over resolution clarity and durability, and who are willing to accept 2022 midrange standards on charging speed and camera performance. Anyone who values water resistance, sharp text, or quick charging should look at competitors at the same price.
This review is written with AI assistance from OnePlus’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the OnePlus Ace 5 Racing, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The OnePlus Ace 5 Racing is a solid 2022 midrange phone with a 5000 mAh battery, 120Hz LCD screen, and Dimensity 8100 Max chip that handles everyday tasks and gaming without strain. For its €280 asking price, it delivers practical value if you can live with 1080p resolution and older software, though it's not a standout in any one area.
Design & Build
At 205g and 8.7mm thin, the Ace 5 Racing is a comfortable handheld that doesn't tax your pocket or wrist during long sessions. The body is sturdy enough for daily wear, though the IP64 rating disappoints: it'll handle splashes and light rain, but not submersion, so a dunk in a pool or accidental sink dunk is still a risk. For a €280 phone in 2022, this was an acceptable durability baseline, but competitors were already pushing IP67 at this tier, making it a real weakness if you live near water or are clumsy.
Display
The 6.59-inch IPS LCD screen delivers crisp scrolling at 120Hz, and at 600 nits peak brightness (HBM mode) it's legible in direct sunlight—a genuine strength at this price. The problem is the 1080p resolution. At 401 ppi, text and app icons are noticeably softer than 1440p panels you could find for similar money in 2022, and the 20:9 aspect ratio makes the phone feel taller without giving you usably more screen width. The IPS tech itself is dated; AMOLED had already become affordable at this tier, and this phone's LCD can't match the contrast or color punch of those cheaper rivals. Fine for a budget option, but not competitive for a €280 midrange device even in 2022.
Performance
The Dimensity 8100 Max is a solid workhorse. It handles everyday apps without lag, scrolls through social feeds smoothly, and runs mainstream games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact at playable settings without constant frame drops. The 12GB RAM option (if you choose it) keeps multitasking smooth, though even 8GB is sufficient for most users. Gaming is not flawless—demanding titles at max settings will throttle, and you'll need to dial down graphics for sustained 60fps—but that's normal for mid-range silicon. The real limitation isn't raw speed but that the chip feels dated even in 2022; newer processors released the same year were already pulling ahead in efficiency and sustained performance.
Software
The phone shipped with Android 12 and ColorOS 12.1, Oppo's customization layer. ColorOS is lighter than it used to be, but it still adds bloat and slows down what should be a fast OS. Updates are a concern: OnePlus under Oppo's influence became stingier with major OS updates, and a 2022 phone like this may not reach Android 14 or beyond, leaving you stuck on older security patches within 2 to 3 years. For a €280 phone, software longevity is not a given, and this is one area where you feel the cost.
Camera
The 64MP main camera is competent in daylight, shooting sharp detail with accurate colors under good light. The f/1.7 aperture helps in low light, though the actual low-light performance is unspectacular—you'll get usable shots but not the clarity of flagships or phones with larger sensors. The 8MP ultrawide has the typical issues of the breed: noticeable softness at the edges and duller colors. The 2MP macro is filler, as is always the case. Video caps out at 4K 30fps (gyro-EIS helps stabilization), which is behind rivals offering 4K 60fps by this point. The 16MP selfie is fine for video calls and casual snaps but nothing special. Overall, the camera is adequate for everyday use but offers no reason to pick this phone over competitors unless you need the rest of the hardware.
Battery & Charging
The 5000 mAh battery is genuinely excellent for endurance. A typical day of mixed use (browsing, messaging, some gaming, video) easily lasts past 8 p.m., and heavy users can still push past midnight without strain. The catch is charging speed: 67W is respectable on paper but sluggish in practice for 2022. By that year, 120W chargers were common at this price, and 100W was the bare minimum expectation for a midrange phone. Figure about 45 to 50 minutes from zero to 100 percent—not terrible, but you'll notice the wait compared to rivals that fill in 25 to 30 minutes. The fast battery capacity does offset this somewhat if you can top up at night, but for people who rely on quick top-ups, it's a real drawback.
Value & Verdict
At €280 in 2022, the OnePlus Ace 5 Racing offered competent all-rounder specs without dramatic weakness, but also without clear strengths. The 5000 mAh battery and smooth 120Hz display are genuine assets, and the Dimensity 8100 Max doesn't bottleneck daily use. However, the 1080p screen, weak IP rating, slow charging, and pedestrian cameras mean this phone trades blows with rivals rather than winning outright. If your priority is battery endurance and screen smoothness, and you can overlook dated resolution and durability, it's a practical choice. If you want balanced specs across the board, competitors offered better value even then.
Verdict
This phone suits buyers who prioritize battery life and screen smoothness over resolution clarity and durability, and who are willing to accept 2022 midrange standards on charging speed and camera performance. Anyone who values water resistance, sharp text, or quick charging should look at competitors at the same price.
- 5000 mAh battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use without midday charging
- Dimensity 8100 Max and up to 12GB RAM run apps and mainstream games without stuttering
- 120Hz IPS LCD scrolls smoothly and is bright enough in direct sunlight at 600 nits peak
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is reliably fast and ergonomic on this form factor
- 1080p resolution on a 6.59-inch screen leaves text and icons noticeably coarse compared to rivals at this price that have moved to 1440p or AMOLED
- IP64 rating offers splash resistance only—no submersion protection, which is behind budget flagships now
- Only 67W charging is sluggish by 2022 standards; rivals were hitting 120W+, and this likely takes over 40 minutes to fill the 5000 mAh battery
OnePlus Ace 5 Racing Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2022, May 17 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 (HBM) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Max (5 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Software | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Durability | IP64 |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
OnePlus Ace 5 Racing FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Ace 5 Racing support 5G?
Yes. The Ace 5 Racing supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Ace 5 Racing use?
The Ace 5 Racing runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Max (5 nm).
What display does the Ace 5 Racing have?
A 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 (HBM), 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density).
How big is the Ace 5 Racing battery?
The Ace 5 Racing has a 5000 mAh battery.
Does the Ace 5 Racing have NFC?
Yes, the Ace 5 Racing has NFC.
Is the Ace 5 Racing water resistant?
The Ace 5 Racing carries a IP64 rating.
Does the Ace 5 Racing support a microSD card?
No, the Ace 5 Racing does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the Ace 5 Racing isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Nord CE6
Turbo 6V
Nord CE6 Lite
Turbo 6X Pro
Galaxy A56
