Xiaomi Mi 11X vs OnePlus 9RT 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Mi 11X and OnePlus 9RT 5G represent compelling options in the mid-to-high range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a smooth user experience, they take different approaches. The Mi 11X, leveraging the Snapdragon 870, prioritizes efficiency, while the 9RT 5G opts for raw power with the Snapdragon 888. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the OnePlus 9RT 5G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 888, despite potential thermal concerns, offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 65W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Mi 11X remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 11X OnePlus 9RT 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands77, 78 Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 232021, October 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 27Available. Released 2021, October 19
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)198.5 g (7.02 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)
Single20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, QC3 100% in 52 min65W wired, 100% in 29 min
TypeLi-Po 4520 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCelestial Silver, Lunar White, Cosmic BlackHacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue
ModelsM2012K11AIMT2110, MT2111
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 590 EUR
SAR0.86 W/kg (head)     0.69 W/kg (body)-

Xiaomi Mi 11X

  • Excellent power efficiency with Snapdragon 870
  • More manageable thermal performance
  • Competitive price point

  • Slower charging speed (33W)
  • Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the 9RT

OnePlus 9RT 5G

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • More powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Superior GPU performance for gaming

  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
  • May consume battery faster than the Mi 11X

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature AMOLED panels, common for this price segment, but specifics like peak brightness and color calibration aren't provided. The focus here shifts to processing power. The Mi 11X’s Snapdragon 870, built on a 7nm process, is known for its efficiency, while the 9RT 5G’s Snapdragon 888, fabricated on a more advanced 5nm node, aims for higher performance. The 5nm process *should* translate to better power efficiency at similar performance levels, but the 888’s higher clock speeds and more powerful architecture demand more power overall.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 888’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the 9RT 5G generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. The 870’s ISP is still capable, but the 888 has an edge. The absence of information on sensor sizes and OIS makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the 888’s processing power could compensate for slightly inferior hardware.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9RT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 (2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 prime core) boasts a more powerful CPU architecture compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11X’s Snapdragon 870 (3.2 GHz Kryo 585). The Cortex-X1 core in the 888 is designed for peak performance, while the 870 prioritizes sustained performance across all cores. This means the 9RT will likely excel in bursty workloads, but the 870 might maintain higher average frame rates in longer gaming sessions due to better thermal management. The 888’s Adreno 660 GPU also offers a significant upgrade over the 870’s Adreno 660, further enhancing gaming capabilities.

Battery Life

The Mi 11X’s 33W charging, while supporting PD3.0 and QC3, pales in comparison to the 9RT 5G’s 65W charging. The 9RT can achieve a full charge in just 29 minutes, while the Mi 11X takes 52 minutes. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 9RT effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11X if you need a balanced smartphone experience with excellent efficiency and a more manageable thermal profile, making it ideal for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you prioritize peak performance for demanding games and applications, and value the convenience of incredibly fast 65W charging, even if it means potentially experiencing some throttling under sustained load.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9RT 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than the 870. While the OnePlus 9RT 5G likely incorporates thermal management solutions, extended gaming at maximum settings *could* lead to throttling, reducing sustained performance. The Mi 11X, with its more efficient 870, is less prone to this issue.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus 9RT 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Xiaomi Mi 11X in real-world use?
The 65W charging on the 9RT 5G can fully charge the device in approximately 29 minutes, while the Mi 11X takes 52 minutes. This translates to roughly 23 minutes saved per full charge, a significant time reduction for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Mi 11X still provide a smooth experience for demanding apps and games?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 870 is a very capable chipset. While not as powerful as the 888, it delivers excellent performance for most apps and games, offering a smooth and responsive user experience. It excels in maintaining consistent performance over longer periods.