Coolpad's Cool series targets the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Cool 40i and Cool 3 Plus represent two distinct points within that segment – the 40i aiming for a slight performance uplift, while the 3 Plus prioritizes affordability. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Coolpad Cool 40i is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G37 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Helio A22 in the Cool 3 Plus, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and light gaming. While both phones are entry-level, the 40i offers a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 77 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 145.7 x 70.9 x 8.2 mm (5.74 x 2.79 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, CoolOS | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Glacier Blue, Lite Pink, Ivory White | Ocean Blue, Cherry Black |
| Models | - | 1825-I01 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 6000 INR |
Coolpad Cool 40i
- Significantly faster processor (Helio G37)
- Improved multitasking capabilities
- Better gaming performance (for casual games)
- 10W charging is slow
- Likely similar display quality to the Cool 3 Plus
Coolpad Cool 3 Plus
- Extremely affordable
- Functional for basic communication
- Decent battery life for light usage
- Slow processor (Helio A22)
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both devices are likely to feature similar LCD panels, given their price points. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable. The focus here is on internal performance, not display quality. Expect basic viewing experiences on both, suitable for essential tasks but not ideal for media consumption. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both models, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse, but it's safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. Given the market segment, image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution. The primary sensor's size and aperture are critical, but unavailable. The G37's slightly improved image signal processor (ISP) may offer marginally better image processing, but don't expect dramatic differences.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Coolpad Cool 40i’s Mediatek Helio G37, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). This is a significant upgrade over the Cool 3 Plus’s Helio A22, a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor, also on a 12nm node. The G37’s eight cores and higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness. While neither chipset is a gaming powerhouse, the G37 will handle less demanding games with greater ease. The A22 will struggle with anything beyond basic titles. The G37 also benefits from a more modern GPU, further enhancing its graphical capabilities.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities (around 4000-5000 mAh, based on Coolpad's typical offerings). However, the Cool 40i’s more efficient Helio G37 chipset could translate to slightly better battery life under moderate usage. Both devices support 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. The difference in charging time will likely be minimal, as the bottleneck is the 10W charger itself.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 40i if you need a phone that can handle multitasking, social media, and casual gaming without significant lag. It's ideal for users who want a slightly more future-proof device. Buy the Coolpad Cool 3 Plus if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and very light web browsing – and you're on an extremely tight budget. It's a functional device for those prioritizing absolute affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Coolpad Cool 40i handle popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G37 chipset in the Cool 40i is capable of running these apps without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it provides a much smoother experience than the Helio A22 in the Cool 3 Plus, especially when multitasking between these apps.
❓ Is the Coolpad Cool 3 Plus suitable for an elderly user who primarily needs a phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The Cool 3 Plus is a perfectly adequate device for basic communication. Its simplicity and affordability make it a good choice for users who don't require advanced features or high performance. The Helio A22 is sufficient for calls and texts.
❓ Can I play PUBG Mobile on either of these phones?
While technically possible to *launch* PUBG Mobile on both devices, the experience will be severely limited. The Cool 3 Plus will struggle to run the game even on the lowest settings. The Cool 40i might be playable on the lowest settings with significant frame rate drops and lag, but it's not a recommended gaming experience.
