The Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G and Huawei nova 7 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at a reasonable price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G versus Huawei’s in-house Kirin 985. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a potentially smoother software experience (depending on region and HMS availability), the Huawei nova 7 5G is the better choice. Its 40W charging significantly outperforms the K30i’s 30W, and the Kirin 985 offers competitive performance. However, the K30i remains a strong contender for those seeking a more open Android experience.
| 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, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 Sub6 | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 25. Released 2020, June 07 | 2020, April 23. Released 2020, April 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 180 g (6.35 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 (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 985 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G77 (8-core) |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| 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), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K, 1080p, 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 | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K |
| 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 | 5.1, 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, QZSS |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 40W wired, 75% in 30 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Red, Purple | Black, Space Silver, Midsummer Purple, Red, Green |
| Models | - | JEF-TN00, JEF-AN00, JEF-NX9, JEF-AN20 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 390 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G
- Potentially wider app compatibility due to Google services.
- Qualcomm’s gaming optimizations.
- More open Android ecosystem.
- Slower 30W charging.
- Kirin 985 may outperform in multi-threaded tasks.
- Less refined camera processing (potentially).
Huawei nova 7 5G
- Faster 40W charging with 75% in 30 minutes.
- Potentially superior camera image processing.
- Reverse wired charging capability.
- Reliance on Huawei’s AppGallery and HMS ecosystem.
- Potential app compatibility issues.
- Software updates may be less frequent.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like OLED vs. LCD) are missing, both operate within the typical mid-range specifications. The focus here shifts to processing power, as display quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar overall phone sizes in this segment. Color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a known strength for Huawei.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are absent, but we can infer some differences. Huawei historically prioritizes camera performance, and the nova 7 likely benefits from its image processing algorithms. The Kirin 985’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced than the Snapdragon 765G’s. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the quality of the main sensor and the presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) will be crucial. The K30i may lean towards a more natural image processing style, while the nova 7 might offer more vibrant, saturated photos. The absence of details on sensor size makes a definitive comparison impossible.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. The Huawei nova 7 5G counters with the Kirin 985 5G (7nm), employing an octa-core configuration with a faster 2.58 GHz Cortex-A76 core. While clock speed isn't everything, the Kirin 985’s architecture – utilizing more Cortex-A76 cores – suggests a potential advantage in multi-threaded tasks. Both utilize 5G modems, but real-world 5G performance will depend on carrier infrastructure. The K30i benefits from Qualcomm’s established optimization for gaming, while the Kirin 985’s performance is more variable depending on software optimization.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 7 5G takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 40W wired charging capability, promising 75% charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi K30i 5G is limited to 30W charging, meaning a significantly longer charge time. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the nova 7 effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The nova 7 also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the K30i, allowing it to top up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G if you need a phone with a more open Android ecosystem, potentially benefitting from wider app compatibility and customization options. Buy the Huawei nova 7 5G if you prioritize faster charging speeds, a potentially more refined camera experience (depending on personal preference), and don't mind the limitations of Huawei's AppGallery and HMS ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 985 in the Huawei nova 7 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 985 is a capable chipset, Huawei’s thermal management has been inconsistent in the past. Reports suggest moderate throttling under sustained load, but it’s unlikely to be severe enough to render gaming unplayable. The Snapdragon 765G in the K30i is generally known for more consistent thermal performance, but the nova 7’s cooling system may mitigate throttling to an acceptable level.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 7 5G impact the user experience?
The absence of GMS means you won’t have direct access to the Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, or other core Google apps. Huawei’s AppGallery is the alternative app store, but it has a smaller selection. Workarounds like using Aurora Store or third-party app stores are possible, but require technical knowledge. The impact varies depending on your reliance on Google services.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on both phones compatible with all 5G bands globally?
5G band compatibility varies by region and carrier. Both phones support 5G, but it’s crucial to verify that the specific model you purchase supports the 5G bands used by your carrier to ensure optimal performance. Check the phone’s specifications and your carrier’s website for compatibility information.
