The Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime and OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G occupy a competitive space in the mid-range 5G market. The Redmi 11 Prime focuses on efficiency with its Helio G99, while the Nord CE 2 5G prioritizes raw processing power with the Dimensity 900 and a significantly faster charging solution. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the better choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 65W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the Redmi 11 Prime remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 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 | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | 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 Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
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 | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 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
5W reverse wired | 65W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Playful Green, Flashy Black, Peppy Purple | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | 22071219AI | IV2201 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime
- More power-efficient chipset (Helio G99)
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
- Likely less sophisticated image processing
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Faster and more powerful CPU (Dimensity 900)
- Ultra-fast 65W charging
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Potentially lower battery life due to more powerful chipset
- Likely higher price point
- No reverse wired charging
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature similar LCD panels given their price points, the comparison focuses on performance. Display specs are not provided, but the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly is a factor. The Nord CE 2 5G’s more powerful Dimensity 900 will likely handle higher refresh rates (if present) with less strain, resulting in a more fluid visual experience. The Redmi 11 Prime’s Helio G99, while efficient, may show slight stuttering in demanding UI transitions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset plays a role in image processing speed. The Dimensity 900’s superior processing power in the Nord CE 2 5G will likely result in faster image capture and more complex image processing algorithms, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The Redmi 11 Prime’s Helio G99 will still be capable, but may exhibit slightly slower processing times and less sophisticated algorithms. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone prioritizes advanced stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900, with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, offers a significant CPU performance advantage over the Redmi 11 Prime’s Helio G99 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76). The A78 cores are architecturally superior, leading to faster single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and responsiveness. While both use a 6nm process, the Dimensity 900’s more advanced core design translates to a more capable overall experience. The G99 prioritizes efficiency, making it suitable for sustained tasks, but the Dimensity 900 will excel in bursty workloads.
Battery Life
The Redmi 11 Prime’s 18W charging is a clear disadvantage compared to the Nord CE 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the charging speed difference is substantial. The Nord CE 2 5G can likely charge from 0-100% in under 40 minutes, while the Redmi 11 Prime will take well over an hour. This difference is critical for users who need a quick power boost. The Helio G99’s efficiency may offset the slower charging to some extent, providing comparable overall battery life, but the convenience of rapid charging favors the Nord CE 2 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime if you need a reliable, long-lasting phone for everyday tasks and prioritize battery life over peak performance. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require demanding applications. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or playing games, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. This phone suits users who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Redmi 11 Prime struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset, but Genshin Impact is demanding. You’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates. The Nord CE 2 5G’s Dimensity 900 will provide a smoother experience at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Nord CE 2 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 11 Prime in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord CE 2 5G can go from 0-100% in approximately 35-40 minutes, while the Redmi 11 Prime will take over 2 hours. This means you can get a significant charge in the time it takes to drink a coffee with the Nord CE 2 5G.
❓ Does the Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G get noticeably hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 900 is generally well-managed in terms of thermals. While it will get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling due to its 6nm process and OnePlus’s thermal management. The Redmi 11 Prime’s G99 may run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
