The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 20X and OnePlus Nord 2 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take distinctly different approaches. The Redmi 20X focuses on affordability, while the Nord 2 5G prioritizes a smoother, faster experience with a more premium feature set. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Redmi 20X’s Dimensity 700, and the blazing-fast 65W charging is a game-changer. While the Redmi 20X offers value, the Nord 2’s overall experience justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | Auto HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Blue, Green | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | - | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9)
GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 20X
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent battery endurance
- Slower processor (Dimensity 700)
- Slow charging (18W)
- Likely inferior camera performance
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
- Blazing-fast 65W charging
- Brighter display
- Potentially better camera performance
- Higher price
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Redmi 20X. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price points), the Nord 2’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Nord 2’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard IPS contrast, while the Redmi 20X’s contrast ratio is not specified. Bezels are likely comparable, but the brighter panel gives the Nord 2 a clear advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 1200, leading to better image processing. Sensor size and lens apertures are unknown for both, but the Nord 2’s overall processing power suggests superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The Redmi 20X may include a 2MP macro camera, a feature often found on budget phones but rarely delivering significant value. Focusing on the primary sensor capabilities, the Nord 2 is expected to deliver more consistent and higher-quality results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a significant step up from the Redmi 20X’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Dimensity 1200 features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 in the Dimensity 700. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. While both phones likely use LPDDR4X RAM, the superior chipset in the Nord 2 will be the bottleneck, not the RAM.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Redmi 20X lacking specific battery capacity information. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G supports 65W wired charging with PD, achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi 20X is limited to 18W wired charging, meaning a significantly longer charging time. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor, making the Nord 2 far more forgiving if you frequently run low on battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 20X if you need a functional 5G phone on a very tight budget and prioritize basic connectivity over performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value a smoother user experience, faster charging, and a more capable camera system, and are willing to spend a bit more for those benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Dimensity 1200 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't match flagship Snapdragon performance, it can handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The improved thermal efficiency compared to the Dimensity 700 in the Redmi 20X also means less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 20X in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 2 5G can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 30 minutes. The Redmi 20X, with its 18W charging, will likely take well over 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the Nord 2 5G during short breaks, while the Redmi 20X requires a much longer charging commitment.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G support software updates for a longer period than the Xiaomi Redmi 20X?
Generally, OnePlus provides longer software support than Xiaomi for its mid-range devices. You can expect at least two major Android updates and three years of security patches on the Nord 2 5G, while the Redmi 20X may receive only one major update and two years of security patches. This is an important consideration for long-term usability.
