Meizu 18s vs Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Performance

The Meizu 18s and Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ represent a fascinating intersection of flagship power and varying design philosophies. Both devices leverage Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 series, but the 18s boasts the enhanced 888+, while the K40 Pro+ opts for the standard 888. This comparison dissects the subtle yet significant differences between these two phones, focusing on real-world performance and user experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Meizu 18s emerges as the slightly stronger choice. The Snapdragon 888+ offers a marginal performance uplift and potentially better sustained performance under load, while the 36W charging is marginally faster. However, the Redmi K40 Pro+ remains a compelling option, especially if found at a significantly lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 18s Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, September 22. Released 2021, September 232021, February 25
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, March 04
Body
Dimensions152.4 x 69.2 x 8.2 mm (6.00 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~563 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 93.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Flyme 9.2Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum, barometer
Battery
Charging36W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 80% in 33 min, 100% in 55 min33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsLight Blue, White, Aurora, Pink/VioletBlack, White, Aurora
PriceAbout 490 EURAbout 470 EUR

Meizu 18s

  • Slightly faster Snapdragon 888+ processor
  • Marginally faster 36W charging
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Likely higher price point
  • May have less aggressive camera hardware (depending on sensor)

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+

  • Potentially better camera hardware (if equipped with 108MP sensor)
  • Generally more affordable
  • Strong value proposition

  • Slightly slower Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Slower 33W charging

Display Comparison

While display specs aren't provided, both phones likely feature AMOLED panels, standard for this class. The key difference lies in potential panel calibration and refresh rate implementation. Meizu historically focuses on color accuracy, while Xiaomi often prioritizes vibrant, punchy colors. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on variable refresh rates to conserve battery, but the efficiency of those implementations remains unknown. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar overall design language of flagship phones from this era.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, but both phones likely feature multi-camera systems. The Redmi K40 Pro+ is known for its Samsung 108MP main sensor, a significant advantage if present. The Meizu 18s likely employs a smaller, but potentially higher-quality sensor, focusing on image processing and computational photography. Lens apertures and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) are crucial factors; wider apertures (lower f-number) perform better in low light. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Redmi's potential 108MP sensor gives it an edge in detail capture.

Performance

The core distinction here is the chipset: the Meizu 18s utilizes the Snapdragon 888+ 5G, clocked at 3.0 GHz on its Cortex-X1 prime core, versus the Redmi K40 Pro+'s Snapdragon 888 with a 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1. While both are 5nm chips, the 888+ benefits from slightly higher clock speeds and improved thermal management. Both share the same Cortex-A78 and A55 core configuration. In practice, this translates to a small but measurable performance advantage for the 18s in sustained workloads. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed (e.g., 6400 Mbps) isn't specified, impacting overall system responsiveness. Thermal throttling will be a factor for both, but the 888+'s improvements may mitigate it slightly on the Meizu.

Battery Life

Battery capacities are not provided, but both phones likely fall in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The charging speeds are a clear differentiator: the Meizu 18s supports 36W wired charging, achieving 80% charge in 33 minutes and 100% in 55 minutes. The Redmi K40 Pro+ offers 33W charging, reaching 100% in 52 minutes (advertised). While the difference isn't massive, the Meizu 18s offers a slightly faster top-up time. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and software optimization.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 18s if you prioritize a more refined, compact flagship experience and want the best possible performance from the Snapdragon 888 family. Its slightly faster processor and charging are beneficial for power users. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ if you value maximizing value for money and don't mind a slightly less powerful processor; it's an excellent choice for gamers and multimedia consumers on a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Redmi K40 Pro+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While Xiaomi implements cooling solutions, throttling is likely to occur during prolonged gaming. Expect some performance dips after 30-60 minutes of intensive gameplay. The 888+ in the Meizu 18s offers slightly improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating this issue.
❓ Does the Meizu 18s offer significantly better performance in everyday tasks compared to the Redmi K40 Pro+?
The performance difference in everyday tasks (browsing, social media, app switching) will be minimal. Both phones are incredibly fast. The Meizu 18s's Snapdragon 888+ will shine in more demanding applications like video editing or graphically intensive games, but for typical usage, the difference will be barely noticeable.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi K40 Pro+ slow compared to other flagship phones?
33W charging is relatively standard for phones in this price range. While some flagships offer 65W or even 120W charging, the Redmi K40 Pro+'s charging speed is still respectable and will fully charge the device in around 52 minutes. The Meizu 18s's 36W is only marginally faster.