OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs. Infinix Note 11s: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Note 11s aims to deliver a compelling gaming experience with its Helio G96 chipset, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G prioritizes a more balanced approach with the Dimensity 900, focusing on 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 900, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides noticeably smoother performance and better thermal management than the Infinix Note 11s’ Helio G96. The 65W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing downtime.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 11s OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 281, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, November 082022, February 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 08Available. Released 2022, February 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions173.1 x 78.4 x 8.7 mm (6.81 x 3.09 x 0.34 in)160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, XOS 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired65W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsHaze Green, Mithril Gray, Symphony CyanGray Mirror, Bahama Blue
ModelsX698IV2201
PriceAbout 180 EUR£ 99.00 / € 182.18

Infinix Note 11s

  • Potentially better raw gaming performance due to the Helio G96's focus on GPU power.
  • More affordable price point (likely).
  • May offer a larger battery capacity (unconfirmed).

  • Less efficient 12nm process leads to more heat and potential throttling.
  • Slower 33W charging.
  • Inferior CPU architecture compared to the Dimensity 900.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

  • Faster and more efficient Dimensity 900 chipset.
  • 65W SuperVOOC charging for incredibly fast top-ups.
  • Better thermal management for sustained performance.
  • Superior ISP for improved image processing.

  • Potentially higher price tag.
  • May have a slightly smaller battery capacity.
  • Gaming performance, while good, may not match the Note 11s in *peak* GPU load (but will be more consistent).

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits) are unavailable, the focus here is on processing power impacting UI smoothness. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The real difference lies in how efficiently the chipsets can drive the display; the Dimensity 900’s superior processing capabilities will translate to smoother animations and faster app loading times on the Nord CE 2 5G.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G generally offers more advanced ISP capabilities, resulting in better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The Infinix Note 11s will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for potential sensor limitations. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for low-light photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) features Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offering a significant architectural advantage over the Infinix Note 11s’ Helio G96 (12nm) with its Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 900 is more power-efficient, leading to better thermal performance and sustained performance under load. This means less throttling during gaming and demanding tasks. While both have octa-core CPUs, the A78 cores in the Nord CE 2 5G provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, impacting app responsiveness.

Battery Life

The charging speed is a clear win for the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G with its 65W SuperVOOC charging. This allows for a full charge in approximately 32 minutes. The Infinix Note 11s’ 33W charging is considerably slower, taking significantly longer to reach 100%. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 900’s superior efficiency means the Nord CE 2 5G will likely offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery cell.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 11s if you prioritize maximizing gaming performance on a strict budget and don't mind potential thermal throttling during extended sessions. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you value a more refined user experience, faster charging, and a more efficient processor for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Nord CE 2 5G is the better all-rounder.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Infinix Note 11s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G96 is known to generate more heat under sustained load compared to the Dimensity 900. While it can handle gaming, you may experience noticeable throttling after 30-45 minutes of gameplay, leading to frame rate drops. The 12nm process is less efficient, contributing to this issue.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Infinix Note 11s?
The 65W SuperVOOC charging on the Nord CE 2 5G can fully charge the device in around 32 minutes. The 33W charging on the Note 11s will likely take over an hour and a half, potentially closer to two hours, to achieve a full charge. This difference is substantial and significantly impacts convenience.
❓ Does the Dimensity 900 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Dimensity 900 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.