The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. Both offer 5G connectivity and a host of features at an attractive price point, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 67W charging and generally smoother performance. While the Redmi Note 11T 5G offers a decent experience, the Nord CE 3 Lite's charging speed and Snapdragon chipset give it a clear edge for most users.
| 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) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 30 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 07 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, 119˚, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 100% in 60 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aquamarine Blue, Stardust White, Matte Black | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | 21091116AI | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T 5G
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Decent performance for the price
- Established chipset
- Slower charging speed
- IPS LCD display on some variants
- Performance can lag in demanding tasks
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Smooth performance with Snapdragon 695
- Good value for money
- Larger screen
- IPS LCD display
- Camera performance can be inconsistent
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11T 5G boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Nord CE 3 Lite features a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While both offer a smooth experience, the AMOLED panel on the Redmi Note 11T 5G provides better contrast and deeper blacks.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 11T 5G typically features a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Nord CE 3 Lite usually has a 108MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nord CE 3 Lite's higher resolution main sensor often captures more detail in well-lit conditions. Image processing can vary, so real-world testing is key.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset generally outperforms the Redmi Note 11T 5G's Dimensity 810. The Snapdragon offers better efficiency and a more consistent frame rate in demanding games and applications. The Kryo 660 cores in the Nord CE 3 Lite provide a noticeable boost in everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing it to reach 80% in just 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 11T 5G's 33W charging is respectable but significantly slower. Both phones typically have a 5000mAh battery, but the Nord CE 3 Lite's faster charging makes it the clear winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing a slightly larger screen and a more established chipset. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for those who value fast charging and a generally more responsive user experience, even if it means a slightly smaller display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have 5000mAh batteries, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite wins due to its significantly faster 67W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 11T 5G good for gaming?
It's decent for casual gaming, but the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 generally provides a smoother experience in more demanding titles.