OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Redmi Note 10 Pro (India): Which Mid-Range Champion Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, with its flagship-adjacent Dimensity 1200 chipset, aims for performance dominance. Conversely, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (India) focuses on delivering a well-rounded experience at a more accessible price point, leveraging the Snapdragon 732G. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power. However, the Redmi Note 10 Pro remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a balanced feature set.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (India) OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 042021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 17Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.5 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, 57% in 30 min, 100% in 74 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5020 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsVintage Bronze, Glacial Blue, Dark NightGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsM2101K6PDN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
SAR0.83 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)-
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 Note 10 Pro (India)

  • More affordable price point
  • Good all-around feature set
  • Reliable Snapdragon 732G performance for everyday tasks

  • Significantly slower charging speed
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Nord 2 5G
  • Limited display brightness information

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Exceptional performance with the Dimensity 1200
  • Blazing-fast 65W charging with PD
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Higher price tag
  • May run slightly warmer under heavy load
  • Camera details are limited without sensor specifications

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Redmi Note 10 Pro. While both offer a smooth experience, the Nord 2’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio on the Nord 2, while a nominal specification, suggests excellent black levels. The Redmi Note 10 Pro’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and panel technology difficult, but it likely targets a similar AMOLED experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo / Video' capabilities are limited. The Redmi Note 10 Pro’s camera performance will likely rely heavily on software processing, given the Snapdragon 732G’s ISP limitations. The Nord 2 5G, benefiting from the Dimensity 1200’s more advanced ISP, should offer faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is challenging, but the Nord 2 5G’s chipset advantage suggests a stronger overall imaging experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is significantly more powerful than the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm). The Dimensity 1200’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core, delivers superior CPU and GPU performance. The 6nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 732G is a capable chip for everyday tasks, it will struggle to match the Nord 2 5G in demanding games or multitasking scenarios.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Redmi Note 10 Pro). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W charging with PD support can fully charge the device in just 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 10 Pro’s 33W charging takes considerably longer, reaching 57% in 30 minutes and 100% in 74 minutes. This charging speed disparity is a significant advantage for the Nord 2 5G, offering unparalleled convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (India) if you need a reliable all-rounder with a good camera and long-lasting battery life, and are comfortable with slightly slower performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and the convenience of incredibly fast 65W charging, and are willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chip, its 6nm process node and OnePlus’s thermal management solutions generally prevent significant overheating. Some warmth is expected during extended gaming, but throttling is typically well-controlled, maintaining consistent performance. The Snapdragon 732G in the Redmi Note 10 Pro will likely exhibit less thermal throttling, but at the cost of overall performance.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 65W charging make on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 10 Pro?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 2 5G can go from 0-100% in 30 minutes, while the Redmi Note 10 Pro takes over 70 minutes. This means you can quickly top up the Nord 2 5G during short breaks, making it ideal for users who are always on the go. The Redmi Note 10 Pro requires significantly more planning around charging.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 10 Pro a good choice for playing graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi Note 10 Pro can run PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 732G isn't designed for maximum performance in demanding games, and you may experience occasional stuttering. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, with its Dimensity 1200, will provide a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience at higher settings.