Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Wins?

The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, particularly in chipset choice and charging speed, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more efficient chipset, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695’s 6nm process offers a modest efficiency advantage over the Redmi’s 7nm Dimensity 700.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, September 062022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 09Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsThunder Black, Chrome Silver, Meadow GreenBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
Models-CPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Larger display size (likely)
  • Reliable MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset

  • Slow 18W charging
  • Less efficient 7nm chipset
  • Potentially less refined camera processing

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster 33W SuperVOOC charging
  • More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 695
  • Potentially better camera image processing

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Slightly smaller display size
  • Qualcomm's software update track record can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the Redmi 11 Prime 5G’s larger size (typically 6.59 inches vs the Nord’s 6.58 inches) might offer a slightly more immersive viewing experience. However, without knowing the peak brightness levels, it’s difficult to assess outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth and macro sensors (the latter often being of limited utility). The Snapdragon 695’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos taken with the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. The Redmi 11 Prime 5G’s camera performance will likely be adequate for social media sharing, but the OnePlus has the potential for slightly more refined image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Redmi 11 Prime 5G uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 695, built on a smaller 6nm node, generally exhibits better power efficiency, translating to potentially longer battery life during sustained use. Both CPUs feature a similar core configuration – 2x2.2 GHz performance cores and 6x lower-clocked efficiency cores – but Qualcomm’s Kryo cores often demonstrate superior single-core performance, impacting app launch speeds and responsiveness. The Redmi’s Dimensity 700 is still capable, but the Snapdragon 695 has a slight edge in overall processing power.

Battery Life

The Redmi 11 Prime 5G’s 18W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W SuperVOOC charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging on the OnePlus will drastically reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. A full charge on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is likely to take under an hour, while the Redmi 11 Prime 5G could easily take over two hours. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for users who don’t heavily rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value faster charging, a more modern chipset fabrication process, and a generally smoother user experience, even if it means spending a little more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Snapdragon 695 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's generally playable. The Dimensity 700 in the Redmi 11 Prime 5G will offer similar performance, but may exhibit more noticeable throttling during extended gaming sessions due to its less efficient thermal profile.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 11 Prime 5G in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G can typically charge from 0-100% in around 60-70 minutes, while the Redmi 11 Prime 5G will likely take over 2 hours. This means you can get a significant charge boost in a short amount of time with the OnePlus, making it ideal for users who are always on the go.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones often produce images with low detail and limited dynamic range. They are more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful camera tool. You'll get better results using the main camera and digitally zooming in.