Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra vs. Asus ROG Phone 3: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Value

The Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra and Asus ROG Phone 3 represent distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The K30 Ultra aimed to deliver flagship-level performance at a significantly lower price point, while the ROG Phone 3 doubled down on a premium, no-compromise gaming experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing value, the Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra offers a compelling package. Its Dimensity 1000+ provides excellent performance, and the 33W charging is competitive. However, the Asus ROG Phone 3 remains the superior choice for dedicated gamers demanding the absolute best performance and battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra Asus ROG Phone 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - A version
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
EDGENo-
GPRSNo-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 4.4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, August 11. Released 2020, August 142020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.3 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.97 x 0.36 in)171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, MIUI 12Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.2, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF Auxiliary lens-
Single8 MP, AF-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, (wide)24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, QC4, 100% in 58 min30W wired, PD3.0, QC4 10W reverse wired
Talk timeUp to 11 h 30 min (multimedia)-
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMoonlight White, Midnight Black, Mint GreenBlack Glare
ModelsM2006J10CASUS_I003D, ZS661KS, I003DD, I003D
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR-0.74 W/kg (head)     1.50 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 120h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 621932 (v8) GeekBench: 13306 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra

  • More affordable price point
  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • Capable Dimensity 1000+ processor

  • Likely inferior display technology (LCD vs AMOLED)
  • Potentially less refined camera system

Asus ROG Phone 3

  • Superior Snapdragon 865 5G+ performance
  • Likely higher quality AMOLED display
  • Potentially longer battery life and 10W reverse charging

  • Significantly higher price
  • Slower 30W wired charging

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 719 nits, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. While the K30 Ultra’s display specs aren’t provided, the ROG Phone 3’s infinite contrast ratio (typical of AMOLED panels) delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The ROG Phone 3’s larger display size (assumed, based on ROG Phone lineage) likely contributes to a more immersive gaming experience. The K30 Ultra’s display technology is unknown, but given its price point, it likely utilizes an LCD panel, potentially lacking the color accuracy and contrast of the ROG Phone 3’s AMOLED.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo/video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The ROG Phone 3, being a flagship, likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The K30 Ultra, while capable, likely prioritizes cost-effectiveness in its camera module. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the ROG Phone 3’s overall premium positioning suggests a superior camera experience.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 3’s Snapdragon 865 5G+ chipset, with its octa-core configuration (1x3.10 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55), offers a performance advantage over the Redmi K30 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The Snapdragon 865+’s higher clock speeds and more efficient core arrangement translate to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times. While the Dimensity 1000+ is a capable processor, the Snapdragon 865+ benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized gaming software and hardware acceleration. Both utilize a 7nm process, but the Snapdragon 865+ is a refined version, offering better thermal management and sustained performance.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 120 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the ROG Phone 3’s larger battery capacity (assumed, based on ROG Phone tradition) likely contributes to longer gaming sessions. The K30 Ultra’s 33W wired charging is slightly faster than the ROG Phone 3’s 30W charging, achieving a full charge in 58 minutes. The ROG Phone 3 also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the K30 Ultra, allowing it to charge other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra if you need a powerful gaming phone without breaking the bank, prioritizing a balance of performance and affordability. You'll appreciate its fast charging and capable processor for most mobile games. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 3 if you prefer an uncompromising gaming experience, demanding the highest possible frame rates, extended battery life, and features tailored specifically for competitive gaming, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Redmi K30 Ultra’s Dimensity 1000+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Dimensity 1000+ is a powerful chipset capable of running Genshin Impact, but you may need to adjust graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. Expect playable performance at medium to high settings, but don't anticipate the same level of sustained performance as the Snapdragon 865+ in the ROG Phone 3.
❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 3 experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The ROG Phone 3 incorporates advanced cooling solutions, including a vapor chamber and external fan accessory (sold separately), to mitigate thermal throttling. While some throttling may occur during extremely prolonged gaming, it's generally less pronounced than on devices with less robust cooling systems. The Snapdragon 865+ is also more efficient than previous generations, contributing to better thermal management.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the K30 Ultra significantly faster in real-world use compared to the ROG Phone 3's 30W?
While the K30 Ultra's 33W charging is technically faster, the difference in real-world charging times is relatively small. Both phones offer reasonably quick charging speeds, and the convenience of 10W reverse charging on the ROG Phone 3 might be more valuable to some users.