Xiaomi Redmi K50i vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Xiaomi Redmi K50i and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi K50i takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 8100 chipset and blazing-fast 67W charging. While the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G offers a more streamlined OnePlus experience and 5G connectivity, the K50i delivers superior performance and charging speed for a similar price.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K50i 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, July 202022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 23Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.6 x 74.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.93 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 5-
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~407 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFFS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5080 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Blue, Stealth Black, Quick SilverBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
Models22041216ICPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi K50i

  • Superior Performance (Dimensity 8100)
  • Blazing-Fast 67W Charging
  • Versatile Camera System
  • High Refresh Rate Display

  • LCD Display (vs. potential AMOLED on other phones)
  • Software might have more bloatware

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Clean OnePlus Software Experience
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • Competitive Price

  • Slower Charging (33W)
  • Less Powerful Processor
  • Potentially Less Impressive Camera

Display Comparison

The Redmi K50i typically features a 6.43-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G usually has a 6.59-inch FHD+ LCD display, often with a 120Hz refresh rate as well. While both are LCDs, the K50i's slightly smaller size and potentially better color accuracy might give it a slight edge, but both offer a good viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi K50i generally boasts a versatile camera system, often including a high-resolution main sensor (typically 64MP), an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G usually features a 64MP main camera, a depth sensor, and a macro lens. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting, but the K50i's more powerful processor might allow for better image processing and low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are also likely to be better on the K50i.

Performance

This is where the Redmi K50i truly shines. The Dimensity 8100 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 695 5G found in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance on the K50i. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games.

Battery Life

The Redmi K50i packs a substantial battery (typically 5000mAh) and supports incredibly fast 67W charging, capable of reaching 100% in around 46 minutes. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G has a 5000mAh battery but with only 33W charging, taking considerably longer to fully charge.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi K50i is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing performance and fast charging. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good choice for users seeking a reliable, 5G-enabled phone with a clean software experience and a focus on everyday usability, especially if budget is a primary concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Redmi K50i good for gaming?
Yes, the Redmi K50i's Dimensity 8100 chipset makes it an excellent choice for gaming, handling most games with ease at high settings.
❓ Does the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G have a good camera?
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's camera is decent for everyday photography, but it doesn't match the Redmi K50i's capabilities, especially in low light or for video recording.