The BEST Xiaomi Phones in 2020

With the recent release of the Redmi K30 Pro, many have found new reasons to get excited over Xiaomi phones. But with such a massive lineup, it can be difficult to find just the perfect Xiaomi phone. In this article we will list the best Xiaomi phones your money can buy in 2020.

The King: Mi Note 10 Pro

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Ever since this device came to market, we have been shocked by the sheer value it provides to the average user. Being the cheapest device on this list, one may find it weird that it is our favourite, but with an efficient processor, a two day battery, and insane camera technology, this phone is hard to beat.

So what are the compromises? Well, it won’t have the latest processor in the market, or the brightest display in the world, but for the average social media savvy phone-user, these compromises should be unnoticeable - and at its price, this is extremely nice to say.

Click here for a video on the Mi Note 10 Pro

Second Place: K30 Pro

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Yes, the device that has been getting a fantastic amount of attention lately. Xiaomi’s latest is a 550 dollar phone that constantly performs like it costs 800 or above - in other words, it is impressive. It only doesn’t make first place because for the average consumer, many of this device’s features may not be fully useful. Sure, a nicer screen is always great, and a faster performer makes everything better, but with the Mi Note 10 Pro, you get 95% of the experience for 100 dollars less.

If you see yourself needing the extra quirks of the K30 Pro however, we recommend the 8GB of RAM + 128GB storage configuration in specific, as it offers just the right balance between horsepower and storage, all while still maintaining itself at a price realm where it differs itself enough from some of Xiaomi’s more expensive devices.

Click here for a video on the K30 Pro

Third: Mi 10 (Non-pro)

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That’s right, we are recommending one of Xiaomi’s latest flagship phones - only that we are recommending its less premium brother, the Xiaomi Mi 10. Featuring the same internals, display technology and 108MP main camera sensor, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro packs the same delightful flagship experience while saving you a lot of cash.

The areas where you will be missing out are very few and far between, with the camera sensor’s quality being the most notable of them. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi Mi 10 offers more than sufficient camera technology for the average user, and to its own benefit, an even bigger battery than its pro variant, with an extra 280mAh of juice.

Avoidable Fourth: K30 Pro Zoom Edition

In our last place, although still somewhat note-worthy, we have a rather awkward device. The Redmi K30 Pro Zoom Edition, the K30 Pro’s 30x Zoom capable brother, costs the same amount of money as the Mi 10, whilst featuring a better camera, and in our opinion, a better looking design.

With design being subjective of course, the only reason we see someone justifying picking up the K30 Pro Zoom over the Xiaomi Mi 10 is if they really don’t care for extra pixels, and simply enjoy how the K30 Pro is designed. At this point however, we’d argue that the average consumer simply won’t find much use in the Zoom’s closeup capabilities, using it here and there simply for the coolness factor - so why not save some money and just go with the K30 Pro base edition?

What do you think of our list? Let us know down below.

The K30 Pro DESTROYS Its Competition

The Redmi K30 Pro was announced to much of our surprise - featuring beastly specs and a camera system that will deliver jaw-dropping photos - but how does it compare to its equally priced competition? Spoiler alert: It absolutely destroys it!

K30 Pro VS Realme x50 Pro

Having a very similar design language, as well as the exact same price-tag, the K30 Pro and the Realme x50 Pro are surely the two devices to compare. And the similarities don’t end there, both have 5G options, both feature the same snappy Snapdragon 865 chip-set, and both feature a HDR 10+ capable display - so what are the differences that matter?

Firstly, both have trade-offs in the display department. While the K30 Pro may feature the brighter display, surpassing even most recent flagships, the Realme x50 Pro manages to sport the 90Hz display we so desperately wish Redmi would have included. On the camera department, while both feature similar specs, the K30 Pro’s 8K video recording capabilities are simply amazing, and blow the Realme’s 2160p video out of the water.

But if RAM is what you look for in a phone, the Realme x50 Pro features up to 12GB of RAM, beating the K30 Pro’s 8GB, meaning that paired with the same 865 chip-set, the x50 Pro manages to come out on top for those who really need the best performance out of their phones.

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K30 Pro VS Realme 6 Pro

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Making rounds on the internet as the future go-to budget phone, the Realme 6 Pro has certainly given the company some name, especially in Europe. But at only 500 yuan cheaper than the K30 Pro, it doesn’t offer anywhere near as nice of an experience.

Firstly, the Snapdragon 720G chipset is much slower than the 865, making this phone not as nice for anyone looking to game on the go. Secondly, its display is nearly 3 times dimmer than the K30 Pro’s 1200 nit display, coming in at only 480 nits. Lastly, though its photo camera may boot similar specs as the K30 Pro, its video capabilities are far from comparable. Not being able to film even at 4K resolution, the K30 Pro is miles ahead of the curve, offering even the most casual of video-takers an overall better experience for only an extra 500 yuan.

To the Realme 6 Pro’s defence, it does feature a 90HZ display, making us really think that Redmi dropped the ball by excluding this one very modern feature. Nevertheless, for better performance, a brighter display and much better video recording capabilities, spending the extra 500 yuan will not only get you a better phone - but one that will last for years to come too.

K30 Pro VS Mi 10 Pro

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The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is the company’s flagship device, featuring the best that the company can offer - so where does the K30 Pro compromise? Not a lot! Both feature the same 6.67 inch display size, with the same HDR10+ technology - but unfortunately, whereas the Mi 10 Pro features the smooth and modern 90hz refresh rate, the same cannot be said about the K30 Pro.

On the processing side, both phones feature the Snapdragon 865 chipset, offering the same speedy performance. The compromise in terms of performance can only be found in the RAM department, because whereas the Mi 10 Pro offers both 8GB and 12GB RAM configurations, the K30 Pro only offers 6GB and 8GB versions.. This is a minimal difference, but could be a factor that drives power-users to pick the Mi 10 Pro over the K30 Pro.

On the camera front, the K30 Pro features a 64 MP main sensor, whilst the Mi 10 Pro offers a 108 MP sensor. Though this may sound major on paper, not many modern social media apps can take advantage of such high pixel account, defaulting to the average 12 MP found on most smartphones more often than not.

As it may be clear by now, the K30 Pro, even when compared to Xiaomi’s flagship phone, only compromises on features that most users may not even notice - this is impressive, specially when you consider the price difference between the two products. Starting at 4999 yuan, the Mi 10 Pro is 2000 yuan more expensive than the K30 Pro, which starts at 2999, all while offering 90% of the same experience.

K30 Pro VS Nubia Red Magic 5G

With a price that is close to 4000 yuan, the Red Magic 5G must offer a lot more than the K30 Pro, right? No. Featuring the same processor, a similar camera system, and a smaller, dimmer screen, the reasons to opt for a Red Magic 5G over the K30 Pro are few and far between.

First, it can feature up to 16GB of RAM, but by then it costs more than Xiaomi’s flagship smartphone! Secondly, and perhaps the only real advantage that most users may see a use-case for, is that like the Mi 10 Pro, the Red Magic 5G also features a higher refresh rate, in this case, an impressive 144HZ!

But for the extra 1000 yuan, we reckon that the bigger, brighter display and 8K video functionality may be more useful in the day to day life than the smoother screen experience on what is ultimately a dimmer and smaller viewing experience.

With these three phones compared, the K30 Pro simply crushes its competition! Even against phones nearly twice its price, it offers 90% of the same experience, making any extra money spent an unneeded investment, For these reasons, we think the K30 Pro may be one of the most impressive budget/mid-range phones we have seen in a while, and can’t wait to get our hands on it!

Want to watch a video version of why the K30 Pro will be awesome? Click here

Want to read more about the K30 Pro? Click here

The Redmi K30 Pro And Redmi K30 Pro Zoom To Launch With 2 IMX686 64mp Cameras

As leaks roll out about the Redmi k30 Pro a lot of things about the Redmi k30 Pro have already been revealed. The Redmi K30 Pro is going to have a 60hz Super amoled display. Even though the Redmi k30 and Redmi K30 5g have 120hz LCD, the Redmi k30 Pro is going to go in a different direction. If you want to read about our thought about the Redmi k30 Pro screen check out this article here.

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Another area the Redmi K30 Pro and the Redmi k30 and Redmi k30 5G will be different is their cameras. The Redmi K20 and Redmi k20 Pro had nearly identical cameras. The only difference between the Redmi K20 Pro camera and Redmi K20 camera was that the ability for the Redmi K20 Pro camera to record 4k60

30x Hybrid zoom

30x Hybrid zoom

The Redmi K30 Pro and Redmi K30 Pro Zoom is set to have a flagship camera arrangement. The three cameras on the Redmi K30 Pro and Redmi K30 Pro Zoom are set to compete with other flagship cameras currently being offered. It has been confirmed by Redmi on Weibo that the Redmi K30 Pro and Redmi K30 Pro Zoom Camera. The Redmi k30 Pro & Redmi K30 Pro Zoom is set to ship with 4 camera’s. We know that 2 of the camera’s will be the Sony IMX686 64mp camera. This emphasis on cameras could unseat the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro as the best phone for most people.

The Redmi K30 Pro & Redmi K30 Pro Zoom will use one Sony IMX 686 for it’s main camera. Another area the Redmi K30 Pro & Redmi K30 Pro Zoom cameras will be different from the Redmi K30 & Redmi K30 Pro Zoom is that it will include OIS on not one camera, but the Redmi K30 Pro will have OIS on two camera’s along with EIS to give us a super steady video. The Redmi K30 Pro & Redmi K30 Pro Zoom telephoto camera will also feature OIS and give us up to 10x Hybrid zoom.

We are going to get an ultra wide camera with the the Redmi K30 Pro quad camera. The Ultra wide camera for the Redmi K30 Pro will not have OIS but OIS is less important on ultra wide angle cameras. What do you think the fourth camera on the Redmi K30 Pro and Redmi K30 Pro Zoom will be?

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Redmi K30 Pro Screen Will Be A Compromise

The Cheapest Snapdragon 865…

The Redmi K30 Pro is set release quite soon and a lot of people are wondering about the type of display the Redmi K30 Pro will have. The Redmi K20 Pro was a huge a success for Xiaomi Redmi. Redmi is trying to build on the success of the Redmi K20 Pro and with the release of the Redmi K30 Pro Redmi is hoping to build on that success. Part of the success of the Redmi K20 Pro was the notch free display. The Redmi K30 Pro is expected to build on the all screen display of the Redmi K20 Pro and we are expecting the Redmi K30 Pro to build on that success. But how could Redmi give the Redmi K30 Pro a high refresh rate display when the their flagship device, the Xiaomi Mi 10 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro, already has a 90hz Amoled display? If you don’t think screens are important, see how we ranked them in our Smartphones of 2019 article HERE

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Components And Cost…

To expect that the Redmi K30 Pro will be the cheapest Snapdragon 865 device and it will ship with high refresh rate amoled display is absolutely ludicrous. The Redmi K30 Pro has one purpose and one purpose only, Redmi wants the Redmi K30 Pro to be the cheapest device on the market with a flagship tier processor. The Redmi K30 Pro is set to have more than just a flagship SOC. It has also been confirmed that the Redmi K30 Pro will feature UFS 3.1 storage. This means that the storage of the Redmi K30 Pro will in fact be faster than the storage on the flagship Xiaomi device, The Xiaomi Mi 10.

A Compromise We Can All Agree On

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An option seemingly unspoken of by most tech outlets about the Redmi K30 Pro is the fact that we could see the Redmi K30 Pro come with a high response screen, at a normal 60hz refresh rate. What would this mean for the Redmi K30 Pro from a user experience standpoint? A lot actually. Touch input rate is generally tied directly to screen response rate but Xiaomi has implemented significantly higher touch response rate digitizers on a variety of devices including the Blackshark 3. The faster touch input allows the device to register your finger movement before it asks the GPU to create the screen. This means that the touch input and user experience on the Redmi K30 Pro in some ways could still be at flagship level, without incurring the extra cost of a high refresh amoled display. This would allow the Redmi K30 Pro to retain the title of the cheapest Snapdragon 865 device while also giving the Redmi K30 Pro a unique experience. This would be welcomed since devices like the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 come with a curved AMOLED display

Poco X2: Proof that Xiaomi’s India Campaign is a Mess

Poco X2: Proof that Xiaomi’s India Campaign is a Mess

As technology continues to improve, it is only inevitable that consumers eventually get a wider abundance of choices to pick from. Whilst choice is good however, with recent rumours of Xiaomi’s tactic for bringing its “popular” K30 Pro to India, we start to be able to see how too many choices can make things.. just a little bit complicated.

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