Xiaomi 11i vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi 11i and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer impressive features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite edges out the Xiaomi 11i thanks to its faster charging and generally smoother performance. While the Xiaomi 11i boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the Nord CE 3 Lite's optimizations and charging speed make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 11i OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, January 062023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.7 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm-
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, 50% in 13 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5160 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCamo Green, Stealth Black, Purple Mist, Pacific PearlPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
Models‎MZB0A5EINCPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 330 EUR£ 169.98 / € 209.99
SAR0.82 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)1.17 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Performance- AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 11i

  • Potentially more powerful chipset
  • Vibrant display
  • Versatile camera system (potentially)
  • Good value for money

  • Slower charging
  • Software experience may not be as polished as OnePlus
  • Image processing might not be as consistent

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Faster charging (67W)
  • Optimized software experience
  • Consistent performance
  • Clean UI

  • Slightly less powerful chipset
  • Camera may not be as versatile
  • Display might not be as vibrant as Xiaomi

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.59-inch FHD+ display, but the Xiaomi 11i typically has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Nord CE 3 Lite's display is still good, but the Xiaomi's panel often provides a more immersive viewing experience. Refresh rates are likely similar, around 120Hz.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 11i typically features a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially better image processing. The Nord CE 3 Lite's camera is capable, but may not match the Xiaomi's in low-light conditions or overall image quality. Both likely offer decent selfie cameras.

Performance

The Xiaomi 11i's Dimensity 920 generally offers a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G. However, OnePlus' OxygenOS (or ColorOS depending on region) is known for its optimization, which can lead to a smoother and more responsive user experience on the Nord CE 3 Lite. Gaming performance will be decent on both, but the Xiaomi might handle more demanding titles slightly better.

Battery Life

While both phones have a 5000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W charging is significantly faster, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, compared to the Xiaomi 11i's 50% in 13 minutes. This makes the Nord CE 3 Lite a clear winner in the charging department.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 11i is ideal for users prioritizing raw processing power and a vibrant display. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a better fit for those who value fast charging, a clean software experience, and a more consistent overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have 5000mAh batteries, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite wins due to its significantly faster 67W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 11i good for gaming?
Yes, the Xiaomi 11i's Dimensity 920 chipset can handle most mobile games, but the Nord CE 3 Lite's optimized software might provide a smoother experience in some titles.