The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max represent compelling options. The Nord 2 5G arrives with the more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, while the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 732G. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 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 significant leap over the Snapdragon 732G, and the 65W charging is twice as fast. However, the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | Auto HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 60% in 30 min, 100% in 75 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Night, Glacial Blue, Vintage Bronze | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | M2101K6I | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| SAR | 0.83 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 Max
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable everyday performance
- Potentially longer battery life (due to efficient chipset)
- Slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor compared to Nord 2 5G
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
- Ultra-fast 65W charging
- Likely superior display brightness
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max (brightness data unavailable). While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Nord 2 5G’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor usability. The absence of refresh rate data for the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max means the Nord 2 5G likely offers a smoother visual experience if it supports a higher refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s camera system likely benefits from the Dimensity 1200’s advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture data for the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, it’s difficult to assess its image quality relative to the Nord 2 5G. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Nord 2 5G would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a substantial upgrade over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm) found in the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The Dimensity 1200’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core (3.0 GHz), delivers significantly faster CPU performance. This translates to quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Snapdragon 732G, while capable, is geared towards efficient performance rather than outright speed. The 6nm node of the Dimensity 1200 also implies better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max’s unspecified battery capacity. 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, while the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max takes 75 minutes to reach 100% with its 33W charging. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for the Nord 2 5G, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max if you need a reliable all-rounder with a focus on value and don't demand the absolute fastest performance. It's ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost, especially for demanding applications and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200’s 6nm process and efficient thermal design generally mitigate overheating concerns. While it will get warm under sustained load, it’s less likely to throttle significantly compared to older, less efficient chipsets. However, sustained gaming will still impact battery life.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max support VoLTE/VoWiFi on all carriers?
Carrier compatibility can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to confirm VoLTE and VoWiFi support for the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, as regional variations and carrier certifications can affect functionality.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max compare to typical slow charging?
While 33W isn't slow, it's significantly slower than the Nord 2 5G's 65W. Expect a full charge in around 75 minutes with the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, compared to just 30 minutes with the Nord 2 5G. This difference is most noticeable when you need a quick power boost.
