DiffUtilExample.java

private void updateList(@NonNull List<Device> newDevices) {
    // Sort new list
    Collections.sort(newDevices, mComplicatedComparitor);
    //Calculate difference between old and new list
    DiffUtil.DiffResult result = DiffUtil.calculateDiff(new CustomDiffCallback(mDevices, newDevices));
    //Wipe old list and replace with sorted new list
    mDevices.clear();
    mDevices.addAll(newDevices);
    //Let diff handle ui update calls to adapter
    result.dispatchUpdatesTo(this);
}

private static class CustomDiffCallback extends DiffUtil.Callback {
    final List<Device> mOldDevices;
    final List<Device> mNewDevices;

    public SecurityDeviceDiffCallback(@NonNull List<Device> oldDevices, @NonNull List<Device> newDevices) {
        mOldDevices = oldDevices;
        mNewDevices = newDevices;
    }

    @Override
    public int getOldListSize() {
        return mOldDevices.size();
    }

    @Override
    public int getNewListSize() {
        return mNewDevices.size();
    }

    @Override
    public boolean areItemsTheSame(int oldItemPosition, int newItemPosition) {
        return mOldDevices.get(oldItemPosition).getId().equals(
                mNewDevices.get(newItemPosition).getId());
    }

    @Override
    public boolean areContentsTheSame(int oldItemPosition, int newItemPosition) {
        return false;
    }
}

10/10 would compare lists with