The ZTE nubia Neo 2 and Realme 11 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget smartphone space. The Neo 2 focuses on delivering solid gaming performance at a lower price point, while the 11 Pro+ aims for a more well-rounded experience with a faster charging solution and brighter display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a brighter display, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better choice. However, gamers on a tight budget will find the nubia Neo 2 offers surprisingly capable performance thanks to its Unisoc T820 chipset, despite its slower charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 28 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, Q2 | Available. Released 2023, May 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, leather or plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166 x 76.1 x 8.5 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 183 g or 189 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.3 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T820 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 100W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh or 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunfire Yellow, Frost Silver, Storm Gray | Astral Black, Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green |
| Models | Z2352N | RMX3740, RMX3741 |
| Price | € 179.00 | € 399.90 / ₹ 27,990 |
ZTE nubia Neo 2
- More affordable price point
- Potentially better CPU clock speed (Unisoc T820)
- Good gaming performance for the price
- Slower 33W charging
- Likely dimmer display
- Less refined camera system
Realme 11 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Brighter 793 nit display
- More powerful CPU architecture (Dimensity 7050)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially less gaming-focused design
- May not be as efficient as the Unisoc T820 in certain scenarios
Display Comparison
The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 793 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight, a clear advantage for everyday use. While the nubia Neo 2’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be dimmer, potentially impacting outdoor readability. The Realme’s brightness also suggests a more vibrant viewing experience for media consumption. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate scaling for power saving isn’t present, but the Realme’s higher peak brightness is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 11 Pro+’s camera system is likely to be more versatile, though specific details are missing. The focus should be on the main sensor and its capabilities. The nubia Neo 2’s camera specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its budget positioning, it’s reasonable to expect a less sophisticated camera system. The Realme’s image processing algorithms are also likely to be more refined, resulting in better image quality in various lighting conditions. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the Realme 11 Pro+ (based on market segment expectations) would further enhance its low-light photography capabilities.
Performance
Both devices utilize 6nm process nodes, but the chipsets differ significantly. The Realme 11 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 7050 features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, compared to the nubia Neo 2’s Unisoc T820 which uses 1x Cortex-A76 and 3x Cortex-A76 cores at 2.7 GHz. While the T820’s clock speed is higher, the A78 cores in the Dimensity 7050 generally offer superior single-core performance. The Dimensity 7050 also benefits from a more efficient GPU, potentially leading to longer sustained gaming sessions. The nubia Neo 2 will likely perform well in less demanding titles, but the 11 Pro+ has the edge in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Realme 11 Pro+’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in a remarkably short time. While the nubia Neo 2’s 33W charging is adequate, it pales in comparison. The Realme 11 Pro+’s endurance rating of 112 hours suggests a well-optimized battery life, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than some competitors. The faster charging speed mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing users to quickly top up their device when needed. The nubia Neo 2 will require significantly longer to charge, potentially impacting user convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Neo 2 if you prioritize gaming on a budget and don't mind slower charging speeds. Its Unisoc T820 chipset provides a good balance of performance and efficiency for mobile titles. Buy the Realme 11 Pro+ if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, incredibly fast 100W charging, and a more polished overall experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T820 in the nubia Neo 2 throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Unisoc T820 is a capable chipset, it's likely to experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions due to thermal limitations. The Realme 11 Pro+'s Dimensity 7050, with its more efficient architecture, is expected to handle sustained loads better.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Realme 11 Pro+ with 100W charging?
Realme claims the 11 Pro+ can charge from 0-100% in around 25 minutes with the included 100W charger. Real-world results may vary slightly depending on usage and ambient temperature, but it remains significantly faster than the nubia Neo 2's 33W charging.
❓ Is the camera on the nubia Neo 2 sufficient for casual photography?
Given the nubia Neo 2's budget positioning, the camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. However, it will likely struggle in low-light scenarios and lack the advanced features found in the Realme 11 Pro+.
❓ Will the Realme 11 Pro+ run demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 11 Pro+ should be capable of running Genshin Impact, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The nubia Neo 2 will likely require even more significant compromises in graphics settings.
