The OnePlus Nord Gray Ash has a matte finish, but it is only available with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage

A new version of the OnePlus Nord is here, and it is still not available to purchase in the US. OnePlus teased the new version as a special edition of the OnePlus Nord, but it seems anything but. Called Gray Ash, the model offers a matte textured back panel in place of the glossy one with which OnePlus adorns the Gray Onyx and Blue Marble editions.

Sadly, Gray Ash is not a return to the Sandstone Black finish of early OnePlus smartphones, but its matte back should make it easier to hold than the other two colours. Also, the OnePlus logos are more muted on the Gray Ash model, which may appeal to some people.

There is a catch with the Gray Ash model too - it only comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. By contrast, OnePlus sells Gray Onyx and Blue Marble with either 12 GB/256 GB or 8 GB/128 GB. This means that the Gray Ash variant sells for £469 and €499 in the Eurozone, making it £90/€100 more expensive than the other colours in which OnePlus sells the Nord. Similarly, the Gray Ash model is just £80/€120 cheaper than the superior, albeit entry-level, OnePlus 8T.

It does not seem that the Gray Ash version of the OnePlus Nord is a limited run. However, OnePlus continues to call it a special edition model, for some reason.