The Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent a fascinating intersection of value and 5G connectivity. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, but their approaches to charging, and likely overall software experience, create distinct user profiles. This comparison dissects the nuances to help you choose the right phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially a more streamlined software experience, the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G emerges as the winner. Its 30W charging significantly outperforms the A71 5G UW’s 25W, translating to less time tethered to an outlet, despite both sharing the same core chipset.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 Sub6 | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 10. Released 2020, January 07 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1
| UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@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 | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 57 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red, Purple, White | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | M1912G7BE, M1912G7BC | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 260 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G
- Faster 30W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially cleaner Android software experience.
- Competitive pricing for the hardware offered.
- Brand recognition may be lower in some markets.
- Software updates may be less frequent than Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Established brand reputation and wider carrier support.
- Samsung’s One UI offers a feature-rich experience.
- Potentially better camera image processing.
- Slower 25W charging.
- May include more pre-installed bloatware.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
While specific display specs beyond the 5G connectivity are absent, both phones likely target a similar FHD+ resolution given the chipset. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of panel technology (LCD vs AMOLED) or refresh rates. However, Samsung historically favors vibrant AMOLED displays, while Xiaomi often balances cost with IPS LCDs. This difference could impact color accuracy and viewing angles, favoring Samsung if it utilizes AMOLED.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Redmi K30 5G might prioritize megapixel count for marketing, while Samsung could focus on image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP is capable, but image quality will hinge on sensor size and lens aperture. We can assume both phones will offer a versatile camera setup, but Samsung’s history suggests a more polished, ‘ready-to-share’ image aesthetic, while Xiaomi might offer more manual control.
Performance
Both the Redmi K30 5G and Galaxy A71 5G UW are powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) with an identical CPU configuration: Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This means raw processing power will be nearly indistinguishable between the two. Performance will largely depend on RAM configuration (not specified) and software optimization. The 7nm process node ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but sustained workloads could still lead to throttling, particularly in warmer climates.
Battery Life
The Redmi K30 5G’s 30W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Galaxy A71 5G UW’s 25W. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed translates to a significantly reduced time to reach 100%. Xiaomi claims a full charge in 57 minutes, while the A71 5G UW will likely take considerably longer. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize convenience and minimal downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G if you need rapid charging and value a potentially cleaner Android experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day or dislike extensive pre-installed bloatware. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prefer Samsung’s One UI, a more established brand reputation, and potentially wider carrier compatibility in the US, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the Redmi K30 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings. However, sustained gaming will generate heat, potentially leading to some throttling. The Redmi K30 5G’s thermal management will be a key factor in maintaining consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds on Verizon?
The 'UW' designation in the Galaxy A71 5G UW specifically indicates support for Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G network, which relies heavily on carrier aggregation. This means it can combine multiple 5G channels for significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to non-UW 5G phones on Verizon.
❓ Is the software experience on the Redmi K30 5G heavily customized with bloatware?
Xiaomi’s MIUI software is known for its customization options, but it also often includes pre-installed apps (bloatware). While the extent of bloatware varies by region, users can typically uninstall or disable many of these apps. The A71 5G UW with Samsung’s One UI generally has less pre-installed software.
