The Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G and Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite represent interesting points in the smartphone landscape. The K30 5G arrived as a disruptor bringing 5G connectivity to a more affordable price point, while the S10 Lite aimed to deliver a flagship-adjacent experience without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and 5G access, the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G is the better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 855, the K30 5G’s 5G capabilities and competitive charging speed offer a compelling package, especially considering potential price differences.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 10. Released 2020, January 07 | 2020, January 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, February 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 162.5 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 186 g (6.56 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 (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED Plus, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, Super Steady OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | 45W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red, Purple, White | Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Blue |
| Models | M1912G7BE, M1912G7BC | SM-G770F, SM-G770F/DS, SM-G770F/DSM, SM-G770U1 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.52 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -94.7dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 110h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 370751 (v7), 459497 (v8)
GeekBench: 11151 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G
- Integrated 5G modem for future-proof connectivity
- Competitive 30W fast charging (100% in 57 mins)
- Potentially lower price point offering excellent value
- Snapdragon 765G is less powerful than the Snapdragon 855
- Camera specifications are unknown, making a direct comparison difficult
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
- More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor for demanding tasks
- Brighter and higher contrast AMOLED display
- Samsung’s refined One UI software experience
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Snapdragon 855 is more prone to thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite boasts a measured peak brightness of 705 nits, providing excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Redmi K30 5G’s display specifications aren’t provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panel offers an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, delivering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The S10 Lite’s display is likely to offer a superior viewing experience due to its higher brightness and AMOLED technology, though the K30 5G’s refresh rate (if higher) could be a differentiating factor not specified in the data.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. The S10 Lite, being a 'Lite' version of a flagship, likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to definitively say which camera is superior. However, the S10 Lite’s lineage suggests a more refined camera experience, potentially with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of detail on the K30 5G’s camera makes a direct comparison challenging, but it likely focuses on providing a versatile camera system at a competitive price.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi K30 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), while the Galaxy S10 Lite features the Snapdragon 855 (7nm). The 855, with its Kryo 485 cores clocked up to 2.84 GHz, demonstrably outperforms the 765G’s Kryo 475 cores (max 2.4 GHz) in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the 765G integrates a 5G modem, a feature absent in the S10 Lite. The 7nm process node is shared, suggesting similar thermal efficiency, but the 855 is more prone to throttling under sustained load due to its higher power draw. The K30 5G’s 5G capability is a significant advantage for users in areas with 5G coverage.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 110 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Galaxy S10 Lite supports 45W wired charging, allowing for a faster top-up, while the Redmi K30 5G charges at 30W, reaching 100% in 57 minutes. While the S10 Lite’s faster charging is convenient, the K30 5G’s 57-minute charge time is still respectable. The similar endurance ratings indicate that both devices offer all-day battery life under typical usage, with the S10 Lite offering a quicker recharge when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G if you need 5G connectivity, faster charging speeds, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software. It’s ideal for users who want a future-proof device without breaking the bank. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks and prefer Samsung’s One UI, and don't require 5G connectivity. It’s a solid choice for users who value a more refined software experience and don't mind an older chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Galaxy S10 Lite struggle with demanding games after prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 855 is a powerful chip, but it's known to throttle under sustained load due to its thermal characteristics. While it will handle most games well initially, you may experience frame drops or reduced performance during extended gaming sessions. The Redmi K30 5G’s 765G, while less powerful, may maintain more consistent performance over longer periods due to its more efficient design.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi K30 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends entirely on your location and carrier support. If you live in an area with robust 5G coverage and have a 5G data plan, the K30 5G will offer significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G. However, if 5G is unavailable in your area, the feature won't provide any benefit. It's a future-proofing feature that adds value for users in supported regions.
❓ How does Xiaomi's MIUI software compare to Samsung's One UI in terms of user experience and updates?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered more polished and user-friendly, with a cleaner interface and a stronger track record of software updates. MIUI, while feature-rich, can be more cluttered and occasionally includes pre-installed bloatware. Samsung typically provides longer software support for its devices compared to Xiaomi.
