The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Coolpad Cool 20 and the Xiaomi Poco C40. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Coolpad Cool 20 boasts a significantly more powerful chipset (Helio G80) leading to better performance. The Poco C40 counters with a larger battery and potentially better battery life. Ultimately, the Coolpad Cool 20 is the better performer, while the Poco C40 prioritizes longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 26. Released 2021, June 01 | 2022, June 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, June 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.6 g (7.05 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Dust & splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | JLQ JR510 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP3 | Mali-G57 MC1 |
| OS | Android 11, CoolOS 2 | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Power Black, Coral Green, Poco Yellow |
| Models | - | 220333QPG |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Coolpad Cool 20
- Better Performance (Helio G80)
- Potentially better display processing
- Sleek Design (generally)
- Smaller Battery
- May have less RAM/Storage options
- Availability may be limited
Xiaomi Poco C40
- Excellent Battery Life (6000mAh)
- Reliable Brand (Xiaomi)
- Potentially more affordable
- Weaker Processor (JLQ JR510)
- Lower Performance
- Basic Camera Capabilities
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. The Coolpad Cool 20 might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more powerful chipset allowing for better display processing. Expect adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both likely feature a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. The Coolpad's more powerful processor *could* lead to slightly better image processing, but don't expect a huge difference. Low-light performance will likely be similar on both.
Performance
This is where the Coolpad Cool 20 shines. The Helio G80 is a considerably more capable chipset than the JLQ JR510. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Coolpad. The Poco C40 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Poco C40 is expected to have a larger battery capacity (likely 6000mAh) compared to the Coolpad Cool 20 (likely around 5000mAh). This should translate to significantly longer battery life on the Poco C40, potentially lasting two days on a single charge with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Coolpad Cool 20 is ideal for users who prioritize performance for gaming and everyday tasks. The Xiaomi Poco C40 is a great choice for those who need a phone that can last all day and beyond, and aren't as concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Coolpad Cool 20 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset.
❓ How long will the Poco C40's battery last?
The Poco C40's 6000mAh battery should easily last a full day, and potentially two days with light usage.
❓ Are these phones 5G compatible?
Neither the Coolpad Cool 20 nor the Xiaomi Poco C40 support 5G connectivity. They both rely on 4G LTE.
