The Realme X9 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ represent a fascinating crossroads in the smartphone market. Both devices aimed for flagship performance without the flagship price tag, but they took different approaches. The X9 Pro leverages the refined efficiency of the Snapdragon 870, while the K40 Pro+ opts for the raw power of the Snapdragon 888. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme X9 Pro offers a more consistently enjoyable experience. While the Redmi K40 Pro+ boasts the more powerful Snapdragon 888, its thermal management struggles and slower charging are noticeable drawbacks. The X9 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 provides excellent performance with better efficiency and a significantly faster 65W charging solution.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, February 25 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, March 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 72.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 185 g (6.49 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128/256/512GB, 3/8/12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min (advertised) |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4520 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Black, White, Aurora |
| Price | - | About 470 EUR |
Realme X9 Pro
- Faster 65W charging for quick top-ups
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 for sustained performance
- Likely better thermal management
- Potentially lower peak CPU/GPU performance
- Camera system may not be as advanced as the K40 Pro+
Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 for demanding tasks
- Potentially more advanced camera system
- Higher peak performance in short bursts
- Slower 33W charging
- Prone to thermal throttling under sustained load
- Less efficient Snapdragon 888
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the market positioning, both likely feature AMOLED panels with high refresh rates. However, the Redmi K40 Pro+ may have a slight edge in peak brightness due to Xiaomi’s tendency to push display technology. The Realme X9 Pro, focusing on efficiency, might prioritize color accuracy and power consumption. The absence of LTPO information suggests neither phone dynamically adjusts refresh rates for optimal battery life, a common feature in higher-end flagships.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi K40 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities, given Xiaomi’s camera focus. The Snapdragon 888’s ISP also offers more processing power for computational photography. The X9 Pro will likely deliver good image quality, but may not match the K40 Pro+ in challenging lighting conditions or complex scenes. The absence of information on OIS is a key omission; its presence on either device would be a significant advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) offers higher peak CPU and GPU performance compared to the Realme X9 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core provides a significant boost in single-core tasks. However, the 870’s architecture is more efficient. The 5nm process of the 888 *should* offer better efficiency, but the 888 is known for thermal throttling under sustained load. The X9 Pro, therefore, is likely to maintain higher sustained performance. While RAM specifications are missing, both likely utilize LPDDR5 for fast memory access.
Battery Life
The Realme X9 Pro’s 65W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Redmi K40 Pro+’s 33W charging. The advertised 52-minute full charge for the K40 Pro+ is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 870’s efficiency in the X9 Pro likely translates to comparable or even better real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. The faster charging of the X9 Pro significantly reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X9 Pro if you prioritize sustained performance during extended gaming sessions, value faster charging speeds, and prefer a phone that runs cooler under load. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ if you absolutely need the peak CPU performance offered by the Snapdragon 888 for demanding tasks, and are willing to accept potential thermal throttling and slower charging in exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi K40 Pro+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Xiaomi likely implemented cooling solutions, the K40 Pro+ is more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 870 in the Realme X9 Pro. Expect performance dips after 30-45 minutes of intensive gaming.
❓ How much faster is the Realme X9 Pro's charging compared to the Redmi K40 Pro+ in real-world use?
The Realme X9 Pro's 65W charging can add a substantial charge in a short amount of time. While the K40 Pro+ takes over 50 minutes for a full charge, the X9 Pro can likely reach 50% charge in under 20 minutes, and a full charge in around 35-40 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Snapdragon 870 and 888 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical daily use – browsing, social media, video streaming – the difference in CPU performance is unlikely to be noticeable. Both chips are more than capable of handling these tasks smoothly. The Snapdragon 888’s advantage becomes apparent in more demanding applications like video editing, heavy multitasking, or graphically intensive games.
