The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the LG K30 (2019) and the Xiaomi Mi 3. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 3 is the clear winner. While the LG K30 (2019) offers a decent entry-level experience, the Mi 3's significantly more powerful processor, superior battery life, and faster charging make it a much more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2013, September. Released 2013, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 71.5 x 8.5 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) | 144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 148 g (5.22 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~73.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 500 h |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 25 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | White, Gray, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Gold, Green |
| Models | LM-X320EMW, LMX320EMW, LMX320ZMW, LM-X320ZMW | - |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -44.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 907 (nominal), 2.001 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
LG K30 (2019)
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Reliable brand
- Decent build quality for the price
- Underpowered processor
- Limited storage
- Average camera performance
- Shorter battery life
Xiaomi Mi 3
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Fast charging (18W)
- Good display contrast
- Generally better build quality
- Older model (potential software update issues)
- Availability may be limited
- Camera details are vague
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with impressive contrast ratios (907 nominal, 2.001 in sunlight), suggesting good visibility even in bright conditions. However, the Mi 3 likely has a slightly better panel due to its higher-end chipset and overall build quality. Screen sizes and resolutions are likely similar, around 5.5-6 inches with HD+ resolution, but specifics are missing for the K30.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices, simply listed as 'Photo / Video'. However, given the Mi 3's superior chipset, it's reasonable to assume it offers better image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The K30's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
This is where the Mi 3 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU are significantly faster than the K30's Snapdragon 425 and 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Mi 3. The K30 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Mi 3 boasts an exceptional endurance rating of 66 hours, a testament to its efficient hardware and optimized software. While the K30's battery capacity is unknown, it's unlikely to match the Mi 3's longevity. The Mi 3 also benefits from 18W wired charging (QC2), offering faster charging speeds than the K30.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the LG K30 (2019)? Users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi 3? Anyone seeking better performance, longer battery life, and a more premium feel without spending a fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG K30 (2019) good for gaming?
The LG K30 (2019) is not ideal for gaming. Its processor is underpowered and will struggle with most modern games. The Xiaomi Mi 3 offers a much better gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The LG K30 (2019) likely has slightly better software support due to LG's more consistent update schedule, although both are older devices. However, Xiaomi's MIUI is generally well-regarded.
