The Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G and Honor 30S represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver 5G connectivity and solid performance without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G versus Huawei’s Kirin 820. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially slightly smoother performance in certain tasks, the Honor 30S emerges as the winner. Its 40W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Kirin 820 offers a nuanced performance profile. However, the Redmi K30i 5G remains a strong contender, especially for those deeply embedded in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 Sub6 | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 25. Released 2020, June 07 | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, April 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 820 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G57 6 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), AF, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@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 | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, 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, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Red, Purple | Black, Blue, Green, Gradient, Butterfly Feather Red |
| Models | - | CDY-AN90, CDY-AN95, CDY-TN90 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 310 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G
- Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem.
- Established MIUI software ecosystem.
- Potentially lower price point (depending on region).
- Slower 30W charging.
- CPU architecture potentially less efficient than Kirin 820.
Honor 30S
- Faster 40W charging with 70% in 30 minutes.
- Kirin 820 CPU offers strong multi-core performance.
- Potentially optimized software experience within Huawei’s ecosystem.
- HarmonyOS ecosystem may have limited app availability.
- Reliance on Huawei’s software and services.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like OLED vs. LCD, refresh rate) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both likely utilize standard 60Hz panels. The real differentiator will be color accuracy and peak brightness, which are not specified, but given the price bracket, expect both to be adequate for everyday use rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs (sensor size, aperture, OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will depend heavily on image processing algorithms. Given Honor’s history, the 30S may lean towards more saturated, vibrant images, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. The absence of information regarding OIS suggests neither phone prioritizes optical image stabilization, potentially impacting low-light performance. We can assume both will include standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially macro lenses, but the quality of these secondary sensors is often limited.
Performance
The core of the comparison lies in the chipsets. The Honor 30S’s Kirin 820 (7nm) features a Cortex-A76 based CPU cluster, offering a potentially more efficient and powerful core architecture than the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo 475 cores. The Kirin 820’s CPU configuration (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76, 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76, 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) suggests a stronger focus on sustained multi-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 765G (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). While both are 7nm chips, the architectural differences favor the Kirin 820 in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration, potentially offering a more stable 5G experience. The GPU performance is harder to assess without benchmarks, but the Kirin 820’s Mali-G56 MP6 should be competitive.
Battery Life
The Honor 30S takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi K30i 5G’s 30W charging is respectable but significantly slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Honor 30S mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. This translates to less downtime and a more convenient user experience, especially for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G if you need a reliable 5G phone with a well-established software ecosystem (MIUI) and are comfortable with a slightly slower charging speed. Buy the Honor 30S if you prioritize faster charging, potentially benefit from the Kirin 820’s optimized performance in Huawei’s software, and don’t mind the potential limitations of the HarmonyOS ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 820 in the Honor 30S experience throttling under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 820 is a capable chip, Huawei’s thermal management has been a concern in the past. Without specific thermal testing data, it’s difficult to say definitively. However, the 7nm process and the chip’s architecture suggest it should handle moderate gaming loads well. Prolonged, demanding gaming may lead to some throttling, but likely less than older Kirin chips.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi K30i 5G more reliable due to Qualcomm’s modem expertise?
Qualcomm is widely regarded as a leader in 5G modem technology. The Snapdragon 765G integrates a Qualcomm 5G modem, which generally offers excellent connectivity and compatibility across various 5G networks. While the Kirin 820 also has an integrated 5G modem, Qualcomm’s experience and optimization may result in a more stable and consistent 5G experience for the Redmi K30i 5G, particularly in areas with challenging network conditions.
❓ How does the software experience differ between MIUI on the Redmi K30i 5G and HarmonyOS on the Honor 30S?
MIUI is a highly customized Android skin with a vast feature set and a large user base. It’s known for its extensive customization options but can also be resource-intensive. HarmonyOS, on the other hand, is Huawei’s proprietary operating system. While it’s based on Android, it has a different user interface and ecosystem. HarmonyOS may offer a smoother experience on Huawei hardware, but app availability can be a concern due to the ongoing restrictions on Huawei’s access to Google services.
