OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G finally launched last night in the typical action-packed short movie-type launch event by the brand. The smartphone is the second in the ‘Core Edition’ lineup after the OnePlus Nord CE 5G (review). Basically, the latest launch retains the core specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord 2 but cuts some corners to bring the price down.
OnePlus has priced the latest Nord device starting at Rs 23,999 in the country. At this price point, it drops smack in the middle of the recently launched Realme 9 Pro+ and Xiaomi 11i 5G. Both these smartphones start at Rs 24,999 and are solid contenders for the Nord CE 2 5G. Let’s find out which of these three phones should you put your hard-earned money on.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: complete specs
| Specs | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G | Realme 9 Pro+ | Xiaomi 11i |
| Display | 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED (90Hz) | 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED (90Hz) | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED (120Hz) |
| Processor | Dimensity 900 | Dimensity 920 | Dimensity 920 |
| RAM | 6GB|8GB | 6GB|8GB | 6GB|8GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB|256GB | 128GB |
| OS | OxygenOS 11.3 based on Android 11 | Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 | MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 |
| Rear cameras | 64MP + 8MP + 2MP | 50MP + 8MP + 2MP | 108MP + 8MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 4,500mAh battery | 4,500mAh battery | 5,160mAh battery |
| Fast charging | 65W Warp Charge | 60W SupeDart charge | 67W fast charging |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8mm | 160.2 x 73.3 x 7.99mm | 163.65 x 76.19 x 8.34mm |
| Weight | 173g | 182g | 207g |
| Price | Rs 23,999 starting price | Rs 24,999 starting price | Rs 24,999 starting price |
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: price in India
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G price in India
| OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G variants | Price |
| OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G 6GB+128GB | Rs 23,999 |
| OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G 8GB+128GB | Rs 24,999 |
Realme 9 Pro+ price in India
| Realme 9 Pro+ | Price |
| Realme 9 Pro+ 6GB + 128GB | Rs 24,999 |
| Realme 9 Pro+ 8GB + 128GB | Rs 26,999 |
| Realme 9 Pro+ 8GB + 256GB | Rs 28,999 |
Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge price in India
| Xiaomi 11i 5G | Price |
| Xiaomi 11i 5G 6GB + 128GB | Rs 24,999 |
| Xiaomi 11i 5G 8GB + 128GB | Rs 26,999 |
As we can see both OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Xiaomi 11i 5G come in 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB variants. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a more value-for-money offering compared to the Xiaomi 11i 5G. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ offers more options to the customers to pick from. Since OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is cheaper than the other two for both variants, this round goes to it.
Winner: OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: availability in India
The OnePlus Nord 2 CE 5G competes with Xiaomi 11i and Realme 9 Pro+ in India
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G can be purchased from Amazon India, OnePlus India’s online store, the OnePlus Store app, and the OnePlus Exclusive stores starting February 22nd, 2022. The smartphone comes in Bahamas Blue and Grey Mirror colours. The Realme 9 Pro+ is available from Flipkart and Realme.com starting February 21st in Aurora Green, Midnight Black, and Sunrise Blue colours. Lastly, the Xiaomi 11i can be purchased through Flipkart, Xiaomi India’s online store, Mi Home, and retail outlets. It’s available in Camo Green, Pacific Pearl, Purple Mist, and Stealth Black.
Winner: Tie between OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Xiaomi 11i 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: display
Xiaomi 11i 5G comes with a 120Hz AMOLED display with FHD+ screen resolution
As for the display, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ ship with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display panel. They offer FHD+ screen resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The Xiaomi 11i 5G takes the crown here with its 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel. It comes with a higher 120Hz refresh rate, which is a plus. For protection, all three smartphones come with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Winner: Xiaomi 11i 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: performance and software
The Realme 9 Pro+ features Dimensity 920 SoC with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
In terms of performance, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes with a Dimensity 900 SoC and up to 8GB RAM. On the other hand, the Realme 9 Pro+ and Xiaomi 11i are both equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 920 SoC with up to 8GB RAM. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ offers up to 256GB storage, while the other two max out at 128GB.
As for the software, the Nord CE 2 5G gets an edge due to its Oxygen OS based on Android 11. The other two also boot Android 11 but with Realme UI 2.0 and MIUI 12.5 interface.
Winner: Realme 9 Pro+
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: cameras
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes with 64MP triple rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera
All three smartphones feature a triple rear camera setup with the assisting cameras being 8-megapixel wide-angle lens and 2-megapixel macro sensor. As for the main camera, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, Realme 9 Pro+, and Xiaomi 11i 5G feature a 64-megapixel, 50-megapixel, and 108-megapixel lens, respectively. For selfies, they all have a 16-megapixel camera on the front.
Winner: Xiaomi 11i 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: battery
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ come with a 4,500mAh battery, whereas, the Xiaomi 11i 5G has a bigger 5,160mAh unit. They come with 65W, 60W, and 67W fast charging, respectively.
Winner: Xiaomi 11i 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi 11i 5G: conclusion
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the cheapest of the lost but offers clean software, a good processor, and a spec sheet that goes toe-to-toe with the Realme 9 Pro+. Speaking of which, those who need a 256GB variant only should opt for the Realme 9 Pro+ since Dimensity 920 is not much of an upgrade over the Dimensity 900, and the rest of the specs are better on the OnePlus offering. Lastly, the Xiaomi 11i 5G emerges as the winner of this comparison with a more premium 120Hz display, powerful processor, 108-megapixel camera, and a bigger battery with faster charging.