Xiaomi Redmi K50 vs Redmi K50 Gaming: The Ultimate Showdown

The Xiaomi Redmi K50 series offers compelling options for mobile gamers and everyday users alike. But with two distinct models – the standard K50 and the K50 Gaming – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi K50 Gaming is the clear winner for performance-focused gamers thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 120W charging. However, the standard K50 offers a more balanced experience with a still-powerful Dimensity 8100 and a more reasonable price point, making it a great all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi K50	Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2022, March 17	2022, February 16
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 22	Available. Released 2022, February 18

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	163.1 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)	162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	201 g (7.09 oz)	210 g (7.41 oz)
	IP53, dust and splash resistant	Physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Mali-G610	Adreno 730
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, (wide)	20 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
Triple	48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)	64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	20 MP, (wide)	20 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30/120fps	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by JBL

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 80% in 30 min	120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 17 min
Type	Li-Po 5500 mAh	Li-Po 4700 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Gray, Blue, Green	Black, Gray, Blue, AMG
Models	22041211AC	21121210C
Price	About 480 EUR	About 460 EUR

Xiaomi Redmi K50

Excellent value for money
Solid performance for everyday use and gaming
Good camera system
Fast 67W charging

Performance not as high as the K50 Gaming
Cooling system less effective than the K50 Gaming

Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming

Top-tier performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Blazing-fast 120W charging
Enhanced cooling system
Gaming-focused features

Higher price
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can suffer from thermal throttling under sustained load
Camera slightly less impressive than the K50

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The K50 Gaming might have slightly better color calibration and brightness due to its focus on gaming, but the difference is minimal. Both support Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi K50 boasts a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The K50 Gaming has a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. While the K50 has a higher resolution main sensor, image quality is generally comparable, with the K50 potentially offering slightly more detail in well-lit conditions. Both phones offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

This is where the biggest difference lies. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the K50 Gaming delivers significantly higher raw performance than the Dimensity 8100 in the K50. The K50 Gaming's enhanced cooling system also allows it to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The K50 is still very capable, but the Gaming edition is in a different league for demanding games.

Battery Life

The K50 Gaming's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The K50's 67W charging is still fast, but not as impressive. Both phones have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), so battery life under typical usage should be comparable.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi K50 is ideal for users who prioritize a balanced experience – good performance for everyday tasks and gaming, a solid camera, and a more affordable price. The Redmi K50 Gaming is for hardcore gamers and power users who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and enhanced cooling capabilities, regardless of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Redmi K50 Gaming worth the extra money?

If you're a serious gamer who demands the absolute best performance and fastest charging, then yes. Otherwise, the standard K50 offers excellent value for money.

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the K50 Gaming overheat?

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to run hot, and the K50 Gaming's cooling system helps mitigate this, but sustained heavy gaming can still lead to thermal throttling.