The Lenovo K3 Note was a budget champion in its time, offering impressive value. Now, let's see how it stacks up against the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing, a modern 5G device. This comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing is the clear winner. Its 5G connectivity, significantly faster processor, and rapid charging outweigh the Lenovo K3 Note's impressive battery life and contrast ratio. The K3 Note remains a nostalgic option for those seeking a very basic, affordable phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | HSDPA 2100 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2020, May 11. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
2 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm, depth sensor |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired, 100% in 57 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 750 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 36 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow | Mint, Blue, Red, Purple, White |
| Models | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 53h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1793:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 76dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 984Basemark X: 5656 | - |
Lenovo K3 Note
- Excellent battery life
- High contrast ratio display
- Affordable
- Outdated chipset
- Basic camera
- Limited features
- No 5G
Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing
- 5G connectivity
- Powerful Snapdragon 768G chipset
- Fast charging (30W)
- Modern display
- Improved camera
- Battery life potentially shorter than K3 Note
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Lenovo K3 Note boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1793:1, suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, its display resolution and overall quality are likely dated compared to the Redmi K30 5G Racing. The Redmi K30 5G Racing likely features a higher resolution display with better color accuracy and brightness, offering a more modern viewing experience. Screen size and panel type (likely AMOLED on the Redmi) would also contribute to a superior experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi K30 5G Racing likely has a more advanced camera system. Expect better image quality, more features (like night mode and portrait mode), and potentially 4K video recording on the Redmi. The K3 Note's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't compete with modern smartphone cameras.
Performance
This is where the Redmi K30 5G Racing truly shines. Its Snapdragon 768G chipset is significantly more powerful than the Mediatek MT6752 in the K3 Note. The Redmi's octa-core CPU with its prime core running at 2.8 GHz provides a substantial performance boost for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The K3 Note's 28nm process is also less efficient than the Redmi's 7nm process.
Battery Life
The Lenovo K3 Note's endurance rating of 53h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Redmi K30 5G Racing's 30W fast charging capability allows it to quickly replenish its battery, potentially offsetting any difference in overall battery capacity. While the K3 Note might last longer on a single charge, the Redmi offers more convenience.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K3 Note is for users needing a basic, ultra-budget phone for calls and simple tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing is ideal for those wanting 5G connectivity, a smooth performance for gaming and multitasking, and fast charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo K3 Note still worth buying?
Only if you need a very basic, ultra-budget phone and don't require 5G or modern features. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ What is the main advantage of the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing?
Its 5G connectivity and significantly faster processor make it a much more capable and future-proof device.