Realme GT Master vs Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+: Which Snapdragon Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Realme GT Master and Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive upper-midrange smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a flagship experience without the flagship price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches. The GT Master prioritizes a balanced experience with the Snapdragon 778G, while the K40 Pro+ goes for raw power with the Snapdragon 888. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smooth, efficient experience and excellent battery life, the Realme GT Master emerges as the winner. While the Redmi K40 Pro+ boasts a more powerful chipset, its faster charging is offset by a less efficient processor and potentially more thermal throttling, making the GT Master the more consistently reliable choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT Master Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - ChinaCDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, July 212021, February 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 30Available. Released 2021, March 04
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions159.2 mm x 73.5 mm x 8.0/8.7 mm (depending on color)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)
Weight174/180 g (depending on color) (6.14 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)108 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum, barometer
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 33 min33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min (advertised)
Type4300 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, White, AuroraBlack, White, Aurora
ModelsRMX3363, RMX3360, RMX3361-
Price$ 142.99 / € 128.55About 470 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 114h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.2 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 529263 (v9) GeekBench: 2917 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Realme GT Master

  • Faster 65W charging (33 minutes)
  • More efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Excellent battery endurance (114h)

  • Less powerful processor than the K40 Pro+
  • Camera specs are unknown, potentially less advanced

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Potentially superior camera system
  • Faster processing speeds for demanding tasks

  • Slower 33W charging (52 minutes)
  • Snapdragon 888 prone to thermal throttling
  • Potentially shorter battery life

Display Comparison

The Realme GT Master features a display capable of reaching 634 nits of peak brightness, providing adequate visibility outdoors. While the Redmi K40 Pro+’s display specifications aren’t provided, Xiaomi typically equips its ‘Pro’ models with high-quality panels. The GT Master’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical OLED panel, offering excellent blacks. However, without knowing the K40 Pro+'s panel type or brightness, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. The GT Master’s focus on color accuracy and brightness makes it a strong contender for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given the market positioning, we can infer that the K40 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system. However, without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. The Redmi K40 Pro+’s higher processing power could translate to better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The GT Master will likely offer a competent camera experience, but the K40 Pro+ has the potential to deliver superior image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme GT Master utilizes the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), while the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ packs the more potent SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). The Snapdragon 888, with its Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforms the 778G’s Cortex-A78 (2.4 GHz). However, the 5nm process of the 888 doesn’t guarantee efficiency; it’s known to run hotter under sustained load. The 6nm process of the 778G offers a better balance of performance and thermal management, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The K40 Pro+ will undoubtedly deliver faster app loading and smoother multitasking, but the GT Master will likely maintain consistent performance for longer.

Battery Life

The Realme GT Master boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 33 minutes. The Redmi K40 Pro+, with 33W charging (advertised 52 minutes to full), charges significantly slower. While the K40 Pro+’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 888’s higher power consumption will likely necessitate a larger battery to achieve comparable endurance. The GT Master’s faster charging and potentially more efficient chipset give it a clear advantage in this category.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT Master if you need a phone that excels in everyday tasks, offers consistently good performance without overheating, and prioritizes long-lasting battery life. It’s ideal for users who enjoy social media, streaming, and casual gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ if you prefer maximum processing power for demanding games and applications, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and the possibility of thermal throttling during extended heavy use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Redmi K40 Pro+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Xiaomi likely implemented cooling solutions, the K40 Pro+ may experience thermal throttling, leading to reduced performance during prolonged gaming. The Realme GT Master’s Snapdragon 778G is more efficient and less prone to overheating.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the Realme GT Master compare to the 33W charging on the Redmi K40 Pro+ in real-world use?
The Realme GT Master’s 65W charging is significantly faster, taking just 33 minutes to reach 100%. The Redmi K40 Pro+’s 33W charging takes approximately 52 minutes. This means you can quickly top up the GT Master’s battery when you have limited time, offering greater convenience.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 778G and 888 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical daily use – browsing, social media, streaming – the difference between the two chipsets will be minimal. Both phones will feel responsive and fluid. The Snapdragon 888’s advantage becomes more apparent in demanding tasks like video editing, graphic-intensive games, and multitasking with numerous apps.