Honor V40 5G vs Realme GT 5G: Which Flagship Delivers More Power and Value?

The Honor V40 5G and Realme GT 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range to upper-mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver flagship-level experiences without the flagship price tag, but they take different approaches. The Honor V40 5G leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ while the Realme GT 5G opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888, creating a fascinating battle of chipsets and design philosophies.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme GT 5G emerges as the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 888 provides a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming, and its 98-hour endurance rating suggests comparable real-world battery life despite similar charging speeds. While the Honor V40 5G offers a solid experience, the GT 5G’s raw power is hard to ignore.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V40 5G Realme GT 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, January 222021, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 22Available. Released 2021, March 10
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.1 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (Glass) / 9.1 mm (Leather)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
Resolution1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~440 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 110.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz, 800 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@1920fps, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) Color spectrum sensor-
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless, 50% in 35 min 5W reverse wired65W wired, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Rose Gold, Titanium SilverGold/Black, Blue, Silver
ModelsYOK-AN10RMX2202
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 330 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 98h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 703986 (v8), 810433 (v9) GeekBench: 3555 (v5.1) GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor V40 5G

  • Faster Wireless Charging (50W)
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 7nm process
  • Reverse Wired Charging

  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 1000+)
  • Limited camera details available

Realme GT 5G

  • More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 888)
  • Higher peak display brightness
  • Excellent endurance rating (98h)

  • Potential for thermal throttling
  • No wireless charging

Display Comparison

The Realme GT 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 650 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Honor V40 5G, for which brightness data is unavailable. Both displays feature an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While neither specification sheet details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), the Realme GT 5G’s higher peak brightness gives it a slight edge for outdoor usability. Bezels and color accuracy are not specified, making a direct comparison impossible without hands-on testing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a meaningful comparison is difficult. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes a groundbreaking camera system. It’s reasonable to assume both will offer competent image capture in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will likely be a differentiating factor dependent on sensor size and image processing algorithms. The lack of mention of a telephoto lens on either device suggests a focus on wide-angle and ultrawide photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is built on a smaller fabrication process than the Honor V40 5G’s Dimensity 1000+ (7nm). This translates to greater transistor density and, generally, improved power efficiency and performance. The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforms the Dimensity 1000+'s Cortex-A77 cores at 2.6 GHz. While both utilize Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Snapdragon 888’s architecture is more modern. However, the Snapdragon 888 is known for potential thermal throttling under sustained load, a factor the Dimensity 1000+ may mitigate due to its larger process node. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but specific speeds are not provided.

Battery Life

Both the Honor V40 5G and Realme GT 5G achieve a full charge in 35 minutes with their respective 65/66W wired charging solutions. The Honor V40 5G adds 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Realme GT 5G. However, both phones share an endurance rating of 98 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified). The Honor V40 5G’s wireless charging capability provides added convenience, while the Realme GT 5G’s faster wired charging may be preferable for those who prioritize speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V40 5G if you prioritize a balanced experience with a focus on fast charging and a potentially more refined software experience (depending on region). Buy the Realme GT 5G if you demand maximum performance for gaming and intensive applications, and are willing to potentially manage thermal throttling under sustained load. Both phones are excellent value, but cater to different user needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 in the Realme GT 5G prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. While the Realme GT 5G likely incorporates cooling solutions, users may experience performance drops during prolonged gaming or other demanding tasks. Monitoring temperatures and adjusting settings can help mitigate this issue.
❓ Does the Honor V40 5G's 60% charge in 15 minutes claim hold up in real-world testing?
Based on the specified 66W charging, the 60% in 15 minutes claim is highly plausible. However, charging speeds can vary based on factors like battery temperature and the charger used. Expect slightly slower charging times in less-than-ideal conditions.
❓ Which phone is better suited for playing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
The Realme GT 5G is the clear winner for gaming. The Snapdragon 888’s superior GPU performance will deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay compared to the Dimensity 1000+ in the Honor V40 5G, despite the potential for thermal throttling.
❓ How does the lack of detailed camera specifications impact the overall camera experience on both phones?
The absence of sensor size, aperture, and OIS details makes it difficult to assess the camera capabilities accurately. It suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department, and image quality will likely be good in optimal conditions but may struggle in low light. Relying on online sample photos and reviews is crucial.