The Realme X2 and Xiaomi Redmi K30S represent interesting points in the smartphone landscape. The X2, released with the Snapdragon 730G, aimed for a balance of performance and efficiency. The K30S, arriving later with the flagship Snapdragon 865, brought a significant performance leap, but at a potential cost to battery life and thermal management. This comparison dissects these trade-offs to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and 5G connectivity, the Xiaomi Redmi K30S is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers a substantial upgrade over the Realme X2’s Snapdragon 730G. However, the Realme X2 remains a compelling option for those seeking excellent battery life and a more efficient processor.
| 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 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 24. Released 2019, September | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 216 g (7.62 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 67% in 30 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue, Pearl Green | Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver |
| Models | RMX1992, RMX1993, RMX1991 | M2007J3SC |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.6dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 105h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215578 (v7), 257443 (v8)
GeekBench: 6926 (v4.4), 1750 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme X2
- Excellent battery life (105h endurance)
- Efficient Snapdragon 730G processor
- Fast 30W charging
- Less powerful processor compared to the K30S
- Display brightness may be insufficient in direct sunlight
Xiaomi Redmi K30S
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 processor for superior performance
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC4
- Potentially shorter battery life due to the power-hungry 865
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Realme X2 features a display capable of 432 nits of peak brightness, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. The Redmi K30S’s display specifications are not provided, but given its positioning, it likely offers similar or slightly improved brightness. Both displays boast an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels. Without knowing the panel technology (LCD vs AMOLED) or refresh rate of the K30S, a definitive display winner is difficult to declare, but the X2’s measured brightness provides a concrete data point.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Redmi K30S’s flagship positioning, it likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization. The Realme X2 likely focuses on providing a versatile camera experience, but the K30S is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X2’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm) utilizes a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver. This is a capable mid-range processor. The Xiaomi Redmi K30S, however, is powered by the Snapdragon 865 (7nm+), a flagship-tier chipset with a more complex CPU arrangement: 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55. The 865’s superior architecture and higher clock speeds translate to significantly faster performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 7nm+ process also offers improved efficiency compared to the 8nm node of the 730G, though the 865’s higher power draw may offset some of these gains. The K30S will demonstrably outperform the X2 in virtually all benchmarks.
Battery Life
The Realme X2 boasts an endurance rating of 105 hours, indicating excellent battery life. Its 30W wired charging can replenish 67% of the battery in 30 minutes. The Redmi K30S features 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support, offering slightly faster charging speeds. While the K30S’s charging is quicker, the Snapdragon 865’s higher power consumption may negate some of this advantage. The X2’s longer endurance rating suggests it will likely last longer on a single charge under typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X2 if you need a phone with exceptional battery endurance and prioritize efficient daily use over demanding gaming. It’s ideal for users who value long-lasting power and don’t require the absolute fastest processing speeds. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30S if you prefer a significantly faster processor for gaming, demanding applications, and future-proofing with 5G connectivity. This is the choice for power users and those who want a phone that can handle anything thrown at it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the Redmi K30S get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 is a powerful chip and can generate significant heat under sustained load. While Xiaomi likely implemented thermal management solutions, users should expect some degree of throttling during prolonged gaming. The Realme X2’s Snapdragon 730G will run cooler, offering more consistent performance over longer periods, albeit at a lower overall performance level.
❓ Does the Redmi K30S support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While the Redmi K30S supports 5G, specific details regarding carrier aggregation support are not provided. Carrier aggregation combines multiple 5G channels for faster data speeds. Checking compatibility with your specific carrier is recommended to ensure optimal 5G performance.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi K30S a significant improvement over the Realme X2's 30W charging?
The 33W charging on the K30S is slightly faster, and the inclusion of PD3.0 and QC4 provides broader compatibility with chargers. However, the difference in charging speed is unlikely to be dramatic in real-world usage. The Realme X2’s 30W charging is still quite fast and efficient.
