The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X90, powered by the Mediatek Helio G99, aims to deliver solid performance at an aggressive price point. However, it faces stiff competition from Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India), which utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, charging speed, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a more established brand reputation, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) is the better choice. Its 67W charging significantly outperforms the Cubot X90’s 33W, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a slightly more refined experience, despite similar CPU clock speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May | 2022, March 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2022, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 74 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.37 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1500 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 100 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.8", PDAF
16 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Black | Mirage Blue, Phantom White, Stealth Black |
| Models | - | 2201116SI |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Cubot X90
- More affordable price point
- Capable Helio G99 processor for everyday tasks
- 5G connectivity
- Slower 33W charging
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less refined software experience
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India)
- Significantly faster 67W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 offers balanced performance
- Stronger brand reputation and software support
- Higher price compared to Cubot X90
- May not offer a substantial performance leap for basic tasks
- Potential for bloatware (typical of Xiaomi)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display, but details are lacking to make a definitive comparison. Both utilize 6nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on efficiency over raw graphical power, which impacts the need for high refresh rates. Without knowing panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) or peak brightness, it's difficult to assess visual quality. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ likely benefits from Xiaomi’s established display calibration expertise.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, Xiaomi typically invests heavily in camera software and image processing. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ likely benefits from more sophisticated algorithms for noise reduction and dynamic range. The absence of information on sensor sizes makes it impossible to determine which phone captures more detail, but Xiaomi’s brand reputation suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
Both the Mediatek Helio G99 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 are 6nm chips, indicating similar power efficiency. However, architectural differences matter. The Snapdragon 695 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 660 cores, known for their balanced performance and efficiency. While both CPUs feature 2x2.2 GHz cores, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are generally more efficient than the Cortex-A76 in the Helio G99. This translates to potentially better sustained performance under load. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+’s potential for LPDDR5 RAM (based on Xiaomi’s typical implementation) would further enhance responsiveness compared to the Cubot X90, which likely uses LPDDR4X.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) holds a significant advantage in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 15 minutes and 100% in 42 minutes (advertised). The Cubot X90’s 33W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery, offering more convenient top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X90 if you need a highly affordable 5G phone and are comfortable with a less-known brand. Its Helio G99 chipset provides capable performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) if you prioritize significantly faster charging, a more polished software experience, and the backing of a major manufacturer, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. Genshin Impact may require lower settings to maintain a playable experience. While not a gaming powerhouse, it provides a decent gaming experience for casual gamers. The Helio G99 in the Cubot X90 offers similar gaming performance, but may exhibit more thermal throttling during extended sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) compared to the 33W charging on the Cubot X90 in real-world usage?
The 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) can fully charge the device in approximately 42 minutes (advertised). The 33W charging on the Cubot X90 will likely take well over an hour and a half to reach 100%. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the software experience on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) heavily customized with bloatware?
Xiaomi’s MIUI software is known for its extensive customization options, but it also often includes pre-installed apps (bloatware). While most can be uninstalled, it’s a common complaint among users. The Cubot X90 likely runs a closer-to-stock version of Android, which may appeal to users who prefer a cleaner interface.
