The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience, but they take different approaches. The Redmi focuses on affordability, while the Nord CE 2 5G prioritizes faster charging and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi’s Dimensity 700. Crucially, the Nord CE 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime, a significant advantage for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver, Blue | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | - | IV2201 |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life during light use (due to less powerful chipset)
- May offer more storage options
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset for gaming and multitasking
- Less efficient processor leading to potential throttling
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Much faster 65W SuperVOOC charging
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 900 chipset
- Smoother performance in demanding apps and games
- Likely better image processing
- Higher price tag
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy load
- May lack expandable storage
Display Comparison
Neither phone boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) makes a direct comparison difficult. The Nord CE 2 5G’s potential for a slightly higher peak brightness, given its overall positioning, could translate to better outdoor visibility. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, an area where OnePlus generally excels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a precise camera comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a primary sensor around 50MP. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms, a strength of OnePlus’s software. The Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G may include additional sensors (ultrawide, macro, depth), but their quality is often questionable. Focusing on the main sensor and software optimization, the Nord CE 2 5G is expected to deliver more consistent and detailed images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, leading to less thermal throttling during sustained loads. The Nord CE 2 5G’s CPU, with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, provides a performance advantage over the Redmi’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, particularly in single-core tasks. While both phones share 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Dimensity 900’s superior GPU will deliver a smoother gaming experience. The impact of RAM speed (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) is not specified, but LPDDR5 would further benefit the Nord CE 2 5G.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s 18W charging is a significant drawback compared to the Nord CE 2 5G’s blazing-fast 65W SuperVOOC charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord CE 2 5G can likely achieve a 0-100% charge in around 30-35 minutes, while the Redmi will take well over an hour. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability, especially for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. The Dimensity 900’s 6nm efficiency also contributes to better battery life under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G if your primary concern is absolute affordability and you’re willing to compromise on charging speed and peak performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you prioritize faster charging, smoother multitasking, and a more future-proof chipset, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G sufficient for playing demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 700 can run Genshin Impact, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. The Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G offers a significantly smoother experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Nord CE 2 5G can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 30-35 minutes, while the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G will likely take over 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the Nord CE 2 5G during a short break, whereas the Redmi requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all major carriers?
Carrier compatibility can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to confirm VoLTE and VoWiFi support for the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G before purchasing, as these features are essential for reliable call quality and connectivity.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use, and is it expandable?
Details on storage type (UFS 2.2 vs UFS 3.1) and microSD card support are not provided. However, the Nord CE 2 5G may not offer expandable storage, while the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G is more likely to include a microSD card slot. Check the specific model's specifications before purchase if expandable storage is a priority.
