The smartphone landscape is crowded with options, but the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and the OnePlus Nord 5 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range market. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, a veteran of the segment, offers a proven formula, while the Nord 5 arrives with a newer, more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a substantial leap in processing power and gaming capabilities. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who value a reliable experience and don't demand the absolute latest in mobile silicon.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, May 12 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.52 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, 50% in 30 min | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | M2003J6B1I | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Proven track record
- Outdated chipset compared to the Nord 5
- Slower charging speeds
OnePlus Nord 5
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
- Incredibly fast 80W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Higher price point
- May experience more thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 4nm process)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s brightness advantage suggests a more modern panel. The Nord 5’s higher brightness also benefits HDR content consumption, offering a wider dynamic range. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, but the Nord 5’s overall display experience is demonstrably superior.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 includes a more advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of superior image processing. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max likely offers a respectable camera experience, the Nord 5’s chipset advantage will be noticeable in image quality and video recording capabilities. We can assume the Nord 5 will have more advanced computational photography features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max utilizes the Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the Nord 5 features the SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). This is a generational leap. The 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers significantly higher single-core performance than the Kryo 465 Gold cores in the 720G. The 4nm process node of the 8s Gen 3 also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Nord 5’s CPU configuration (1+4+3) is also more balanced for multitasking and demanding applications. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is adequate for everyday tasks, but the Nord 5 is built for power users.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, offering 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s endurance suggests a well-optimized system. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging is dramatically faster than the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s 33W charging – a full charge in 54 minutes versus a slower charge time. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatility, and includes 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks, prioritize value for money, and aren't heavily invested in demanding mobile games. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prefer a smoother, faster experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast 80W charging and a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, the 4nm manufacturing process and OnePlus’s thermal management system are designed to mitigate overheating. While some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming, the Nord 5 is less prone to significant throttling compared to older generation chips in the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max slow compared to the Nord 5's 80W?
Yes, the charging speed difference is substantial. The Nord 5 can fully charge in approximately 54 minutes, while the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max will take considerably longer. This is a key advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Will the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max still be a good option for casual gamers?
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max can handle most casual mobile games without issue. However, for graphically demanding titles or competitive gaming, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5 support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus Nord 5 does not support wireless charging. It focuses on incredibly fast wired charging with its 80W SuperVOOC technology.
