Honor V30 vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G: A Detailed Comparison of 2020 Flagships

Launched in late 2019 and early 2020 respectively, the Honor V30 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G represented a pivotal moment in 5G adoption. Both devices aimed to deliver a premium experience, but took different approaches to achieve it. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on chipset performance, camera capabilities, and charging technologies to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset offers a performance edge, coupled with faster charging and a brighter display. However, the Honor V30 remains a viable option for those seeking a more affordable 5G experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V30 Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, December2020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
Display
ProtectionYesCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Triple-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
Triple40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min50W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Galaxy Black, Icelandic frost, Sunrise OrangeAlpine White, Solstice Grey
ModelsOXF-AN00M2001J1G
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 930 EUR
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 595246 (v8) GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor V30

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Capable 5G connectivity
  • Decent overall performance

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 865
  • Display likely lacks the brightness and potentially refresh rate of the Mi 10 Pro

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 865
  • Faster wired and wireless charging
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Likely higher price
  • Potential for higher thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Larger size and weight compared to the Honor V30 (based on typical Xiaomi Pro designs)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 858 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Honor V30. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the higher brightness of the Mi 10 Pro provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The lack of refresh rate information for the V30 suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the Mi 10 Pro's panel is likely capable of higher refresh rates, though not specified in the provided data.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are advertised as having strong photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Mi 10 Pro’s likely inclusion of a larger main sensor (common in Xiaomi’s Pro models) and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms would give it an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of details regarding OIS on either device makes it impossible to assess stabilization performance. The focus should be on real-world image samples to determine the superior camera system.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Honor V30 utilizes the Kirin 990 (7nm) while the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). The Snapdragon 865, built on a slightly refined 7nm+ process, generally offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The Mi 10 Pro’s CPU configuration – 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a more potent high-performance core cluster than the V30’s 2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Mi 10 Pro. The Snapdragon 865 also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 101 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G significantly outpaces the Honor V30 in charging speed. The Mi 10 Pro supports 50W wired charging (70% in an unspecified time, but faster than the V30’s 70% in 30 minutes), 30W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wireless charging. The Honor V30 is limited to 40W wired charging. This charging versatility and speed give the Mi 10 Pro a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V30 if you need a capable 5G phone at a lower price point and aren't overly concerned with having the absolute fastest processor. It's a good choice for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you prioritize top-tier performance, a superior camera system, and the convenience of incredibly fast wired and wireless charging. It's ideal for power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Honor V30 struggle with sustained gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 865?
The Snapdragon 865 generally exhibits better thermal management and sustained performance under heavy load, such as prolonged gaming sessions. While the Kirin 990 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 865’s more efficient architecture and larger process node refinement (7nm+) allow it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without significant throttling.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro compared to the 40W charging on the Honor V30?
While both offer fast charging, the Mi 10 Pro’s 50W charging is demonstrably quicker. The Mi 10 Pro can achieve a significant charge percentage in a shorter timeframe, reducing downtime. The addition of 30W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging further enhances the Mi 10 Pro’s charging convenience.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on the Honor V30 a significant drawback?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and OIS information makes it difficult to assess the V30’s camera capabilities accurately. In the flagship space, these details are crucial for evaluating image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Mi 10 Pro’s likely superior camera hardware gives it an advantage.