Both the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 and the Redmi K30 Pro Zoom represent compelling options within Xiaomi’s 2020 Snapdragon 865 lineup. However, they cater to distinct user profiles. The Black Shark 3 is unapologetically geared towards mobile gamers, while the K30 Pro Zoom aims for a more balanced flagship experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing raw speed and rapid charging, the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 is the clear winner. Its 65W charging and gaming-focused design outweigh the K30 Pro Zoom’s more balanced approach. However, users seeking a more versatile flagship with a longer-lasting charge cycle will find the K30 Pro Zoom a better fit.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 03. Released 2020, March 06 | 2020, March 24. Released 2020, April 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4 mm (6.64 x 3.04 x 0.41 in) | 163.3 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 222 g (7.83 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
13 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.3, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@1920fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, 100% in 38 min
30W wired (128/8 model)
18W magnetic wireless | 33W wired, PD, QC4, 100% in 63 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4720 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lightning Black, Armor Gray, Star Silver | Grey, Purple, White, Blue |
| Models | KLE-H0, KLE-A0 | - |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 500 EUR |
Xiaomi Black Shark 3
- Blazing-fast 65W charging
- Optimized for gaming with superior cooling
- Potential for higher refresh rate display
- Potentially shorter battery life due to faster charging focus
- More aggressive, gaming-centric design may not appeal to everyone
Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro Zoom
- More balanced flagship experience
- Likely better camera versatility with telephoto lens
- Slower, but still respectable, 33W charging with PD/QC4
- Significantly slower charging compared to Black Shark 3
- May throttle under sustained gaming loads
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature AMOLED panels given their market positioning, specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are absent. However, the Black Shark 3’s gaming focus suggests a potentially higher refresh rate (likely 90Hz or 120Hz) to enhance visual fluidity during gameplay. The K30 Pro Zoom, aiming for broader appeal, may prioritize color accuracy and viewing angles over raw refresh rate. Bezels are likely comparable, but the Black Shark 3’s design may incorporate larger bezels to accommodate gaming triggers.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the 'Zoom' designation in the K30 Pro Zoom’s name suggests a greater emphasis on telephoto capabilities. It likely features a dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom, offering versatility for distant subjects. The Black Shark 3, prioritizing gaming, may have a more basic camera setup focused on general-purpose photography. Image processing styles will also differ; the K30 Pro Zoom likely aims for more natural colors, while the Black Shark 3 might prioritize vibrant, eye-catching images.
Performance
Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring the same octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Therefore, CPU performance will be virtually identical. The key differentiator lies in thermal management. The Black Shark 3, designed for sustained gaming, likely incorporates a more robust cooling system (vapor chamber, heat pipes) to prevent throttling under heavy load. The K30 Pro Zoom, while capable, may prioritize a slimmer profile over extreme cooling. RAM configurations and LPDDR5 speeds would further refine this difference, but are not specified.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 3’s 65W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving a 100% charge in just 38 minutes. This is substantially faster than the K30 Pro Zoom’s 33W charging, which takes 63 minutes for a full charge. While the K30 Pro Zoom supports PD and QC4 for broader compatibility, the Black Shark 3’s speed is unmatched. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the faster charging of the Black Shark 3 suggests a potentially smaller battery, relying on rapid top-ups rather than extended runtime. The K30 Pro Zoom likely has a larger battery, prioritizing longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 if you need uncompromising gaming performance, the fastest possible charging speeds (65W), and don't mind a more aggressive design. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro Zoom if you prefer a more refined flagship experience, value a balanced feature set, and prioritize a more reasonable charging time (33W) over absolute speed. The K30 Pro Zoom is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Black Shark 3's 65W charging generate excessive heat during charging?
While 65W charging is fast, Xiaomi likely incorporates thermal management technologies to mitigate heat generation. The Black Shark 3’s robust cooling system, designed for gaming, also aids in dissipating heat during charging, minimizing the risk of battery degradation.
❓ Is the Redmi K30 Pro Zoom's camera significantly better for low-light photography?
The K30 Pro Zoom’s potential for a larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms suggests it may perform better in low-light conditions. However, without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to quantify the difference. The Black Shark 3’s camera is likely adequate for casual use but may struggle in challenging lighting scenarios.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the Black Shark 3 overheat during extended PUBG sessions?
The Black Shark 3’s dedicated cooling system (vapor chamber, heat pipes) is specifically designed to prevent thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG. While some heat is inevitable, the Black Shark 3 should maintain higher sustained performance compared to the K30 Pro Zoom.
