The Xiaomi Redmi K30S and Honor Play9C represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The K30S, leveraging the older but still potent Snapdragon 865, aims for near-flagship performance at a competitive price. Conversely, the Play9C focuses on efficiency and affordability with the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious users. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi K30S is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities, crucial for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Play9C offers respectable efficiency, the K30S’s 33W charging and overall performance justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 26 | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 216 g (7.62 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz, 780 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 14, Magic OS 8 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver |
| Models | JDY-AN00 | M2007J3SC |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Honor Play9C (China)
- More efficient Dimensity 6100+ chipset
- Lower price point
- 2.5W reverse wired charging
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Less powerful CPU and GPU
- Likely lower quality display
Xiaomi Redmi K30S
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 865 performance
- 33W fast charging with PD3.0/QC4
- Potentially superior camera system
- Less power efficient than Dimensity 6100+
- Higher price
- May run warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the K30S's positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a higher-quality panel with potentially higher brightness and color accuracy. The Play9C, targeting a lower price point, likely utilizes a more cost-effective LCD panel. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both devices likely operate at a standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi K30S, being a more expensive device, likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is also more probable on the K30S, resulting in sharper images and more stable videos, especially in low-light conditions. The Play9C likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for a potentially less capable camera system.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi K30S’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) boasts a significantly more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 prime core, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 performance cores, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores – compared to the Honor Play9C’s Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to a substantial performance advantage for the K30S in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 865’s Adreno 650 GPU also eclipses the Dimensity 6100+'s GPU, offering a smoother gaming experience. The 7nm+ process of the Snapdragon 865, while older, is still competitive, and the K30S likely benefits from better thermal management due to its larger size and potentially more robust cooling system.
Battery Life
The Redmi K30S’s 33W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC4, is a significant advantage over the Play9C’s slow 10W charging. This means the K30S can be rapidly topped up, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the K30S effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Play9C does offer 2.5W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, but this is unlikely to sway most buyers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play9C (China) if you prioritize long-term battery life and a lower upfront cost, and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30S if you demand smooth multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value faster charging speeds – it’s the better option for power users and those seeking a more future-proof device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 865 in the Redmi K30S still a good performer in 2024?
Absolutely. While not the newest chip, the Snapdragon 865 remains a very capable processor, easily handling demanding games and applications. It offers a significant performance boost over the Dimensity 6100+ in the Play9C, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience for years to come.
❓ Will the 10W charging on the Honor Play9C feel painfully slow in daily use?
Yes, it will. 10W charging is considerably slower than the 33W charging on the Redmi K30S. Expect significantly longer charging times – potentially several hours to fully charge the device. This is a major drawback for users who frequently need to top up their phones.
❓ Does the Redmi K30S support 5G connectivity, and is it reliable?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 includes an integrated 5G modem. The Redmi K30S supports 5G connectivity, and its performance is generally reliable, provided you are within range of a 5G network. However, 5G availability and speeds vary significantly by region and carrier.
❓ Is the Dimensity 6100+ in the Play9C sufficient for playing popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 6100+ can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 865 in the K30S will provide a much more consistent and enjoyable gaming experience at higher settings.
