ZTE nubia Neo vs Realme 11 Pro+: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The ZTE nubia Neo and Realme 11 Pro+ both target the budget-conscious consumer, but approach the market with different strengths. The nubia Neo prioritizes raw processing power with its Unisoc T820, while the Realme 11 Pro+ focuses on a premium experience with its 100W charging and brighter display. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better choice. Its significantly faster 100W charging and brighter 793 nit display outweigh the nubia Neo’s slightly more powerful CPU core configuration, especially considering the Realme’s overall refinement and feature set.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE nubia Neo Realme 11 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2023, June2023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 29Available. Released 2023, May 15
Body
Build-Glass front, leather or plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.7 x 75 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)183 g or 189 g (6.46 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzAMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetUnisoc T820 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired100W wired
TypeLi-Ion 4500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, YellowAstral Black, Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green
Models8150NRMX3740, RMX3741
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 399.90 / ₹ 27,990

ZTE nubia Neo

  • Potentially higher multi-core CPU performance
  • More aggressive CPU core clock speed
  • Lower price point (likely)

  • Significantly slower charging (22.5W)
  • Likely lower display brightness
  • Less refined software experience

Realme 11 Pro+

  • Ultra-fast 100W charging
  • Brighter 793 nit display
  • More efficient CPU architecture

  • Potentially higher price
  • Slightly lower peak CPU clock speed
  • May lack advanced gaming features

Display Comparison

The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 793 nits, compared to the nubia Neo’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to better outdoor visibility for the Realme. While both utilize 6nm chipsets, the display’s impact on battery life is notable; a brighter screen inherently consumes more power. The Realme’s panel likely benefits from more sophisticated power management, contributing to its reported 112-hour endurance rating. Details on panel type (AMOLED vs IPS) and refresh rate are missing for the nubia Neo, suggesting a potential cost-saving measure that impacts visual quality.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are absent for both devices. However, given the price points, it’s reasonable to assume both rely on primary sensors in the 50-108MP range. The Realme 11 Pro+ is likely to benefit from more advanced image processing algorithms, a common strength of Mediatek-powered devices. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone prioritizes low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and fixed focus.

Performance

Both phones employ 6nm chipsets, but the architecture differs. The Realme 11 Pro+ uses the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 with a dual-core Cortex-A78 setup (2x2.6 GHz) and six Cortex-A55 cores (6x2.0 GHz). The nubia Neo features the Unisoc T820, utilizing a unique configuration of one Cortex-A76 (2.7 GHz), three Cortex-A76 cores (2.3 GHz), and four Cortex-A55 cores (2.1 GHz). While the nubia Neo has more cores, the A78 cores in the Dimensity 7050 are generally more efficient and offer higher single-core performance, crucial for responsiveness. The Realme’s likely superior GPU will also provide a smoother gaming experience. The nubia Neo’s CPU configuration suggests a focus on multi-threaded workloads, but real-world benefits may be limited by thermal constraints.

Battery Life

The Realme 11 Pro+’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in under 30 minutes. The nubia Neo’s 22.5W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to reach 100%. While the Realme 11 Pro+ has a reported 112-hour endurance rating, the nubia Neo’s battery capacity is unknown. The faster charging speed of the Realme effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage in battery capacity, providing users with more uptime and less downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE nubia Neo if you absolutely prioritize maximizing CPU performance for demanding tasks and don't mind slower charging. This phone is ideal for users who frequently engage in CPU-intensive applications or emulation. Buy the Realme 11 Pro+ if you value a smoother, more convenient user experience with a brighter screen and incredibly fast charging, making it perfect for everyday use, content consumption, and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Unisoc T820 in the nubia Neo struggle with sustained gaming performance?
The Unisoc T820 is a capable processor, but its thermal management is a concern. While it boasts a high clock speed, the lack of advanced cooling solutions in the nubia Neo may lead to throttling during extended gaming sessions, reducing performance over time. The Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 11 Pro+ is generally more efficient and better equipped to handle sustained loads.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Realme 11 Pro+ with the 100W charger?
Realme claims a full charge from 0-100% in around 25 minutes with the included 100W SuperVOOC charger. However, this time can vary slightly depending on ambient temperature and background app activity. It's significantly faster than the nubia Neo's 22.5W charging, which will likely take well over an hour.
❓ Is the Realme 11 Pro+ a good choice for users who frequently stream video?
Yes, the Realme 11 Pro+'s brighter display (793 nits) makes it ideal for streaming video content, especially outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The efficient Dimensity 7050 processor also contributes to longer battery life during video playback.