Xiaomi presents the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G and an eye-catching new colour variant; no MIUI 12 on launch

Xiaomi has launched a new version of the Redmi K30, and on an entirely new chipset too. Powered by the Snapdragon 768G 5G, the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition is essentially an overclocked Redmi K30 5G. Also referred to elsewhere as the Racing or Speed Edition, the K30 Extreme Edition retains the 6.67-inch FHD+ IPS panel of the Redmi K30 5G  along with its 4,500 mAh and 30W fast charging-capable battery, and its six cameras. The primary rear-facing sensor remains an IMX686, too.

According to JD.com, the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition will be available in four colours, three of which Xiaomi already offers with the Redmi K30 5G  The red colourway of the Redmi K30 5G has made way for something that roughly translates as "Mint Ice Blue", though. Seemingly launching on MIUI 11, @xiaomishka insists that the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition will receive a stable version of MIUI 12 by the end of June.

The Redmi K30 Extreme Edition is also the first smartphone to feature the Snapdragon 768G 5G, a chipset that offers minor improvements over the Snapdragon 765G  According to Qualcomm, the Kyro 475 Prime core in the Snapdragon 768G 5G can reach 2.8 GHz; a 400 MHz overclock over the one in the Snapdragon 765G. The Adreno 620 has also received an overclock from 625 MHz to 750 MHz. Qualcomm claims that these overclocks allow the Snapdragon 768G to achieve up to 15% faster CPU and GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 765G  The Snapdragon 768G supports updateable GPU drivers too and the new Bluetooth 5.2 standard.

Offered with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, Xiaomi will begin selling the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition on May 14. However, websites like JD.com are already taking pre-orders, confirming a CNY 1,999 launch price. Equivalent to around US$283 including taxes at current exchange rates, it remains to be seen whether Xiaomi will release the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition outside of China. We would not rule out Xiaomi re-branding the device as a POCO, though.