iQOO 7 vs Redmi K40 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Performance and Charging Speed

Both the vivo iQOO 7 and Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ represent the pinnacle of the 'flagship killer' segment, offering Snapdragon 888 power at competitive prices. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to charging and overall user experience, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the iQOO 7 emerges as the winner. Its 120W charging, capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes (in China, 66W internationally), dramatically reduces downtime. While the Redmi K40 Pro+ offers a solid experience, its 33W charging feels comparatively slow in today's market.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 7 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, 25, 26, 28, 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, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 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, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - ChinaCDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, January 112021, February 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Available. Released 2021, March 04
Body
Dimensions162.2 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.34 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)
Weight209.5 g (7.41 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-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, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)-
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
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)20 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 audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (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
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min (China) 66W wired (International)33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min (advertised)
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, White, LegendBlack, White, Aurora
ModelsV2049A, I2009-
PriceAbout 480 EURAbout 470 EUR

vivo iQOO 7

  • Blazing-fast 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging
  • Identical Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Likely optimized for gaming

  • Charging speed reduced in international markets
  • Battery capacity unspecified

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+

  • Solid Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Potentially more refined software experience (based on Xiaomi's reputation)
  • Balanced feature set

  • Significantly slower 33W charging
  • May prioritize battery life over peak performance

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, meaning display performance will be largely dictated by panel quality and optimization. While specific display specs aren't provided, the iQOO 7's marketing often emphasizes gaming, suggesting a high refresh rate panel. The Redmi K40 Pro+ likely features a high-quality AMOLED display, typical of Xiaomi's flagship offerings. The absence of LTPO information suggests neither phone dynamically adjusts refresh rates for power saving, potentially impacting battery life during less demanding tasks.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature capable camera systems leveraging the Snapdragon 888's ISP. The Redmi K40 Pro+’s ‘Pro+’ designation suggests a potentially more advanced camera setup, possibly with a larger sensor or additional features. However, the absence of information regarding sensor size, OIS, or lens apertures prevents a definitive assessment. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will offer competitive image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will depend heavily on sensor capabilities and image processing algorithms.

Performance

The core performance is identical: both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) with the same CPU configuration – an octa-core setup featuring 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means raw processing power will be nearly indistinguishable. However, thermal management, which isn't detailed here, will be crucial. The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, and the effectiveness of each phone's cooling solution will determine how well it maintains peak performance during extended gaming sessions. RAM speed (LPDDR5 or LPDDR5x) is also unspecified, but faster RAM can contribute to smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

This is where the iQOO 7 truly shines. Its 120W wired charging (66W internationally) is a game-changer, promising a full charge in a mere 15 minutes (China) or a still-impressive timeframe internationally. The Redmi K40 Pro+, with its 33W wired charging, takes significantly longer – advertised at 52 minutes for a full charge. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the iQOO 7's charging speed effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery. The faster charging allows for quick top-ups throughout the day, minimizing range anxiety.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 7 if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly. It’s ideal for gamers and power users who can’t afford to be tethered to a charger for long. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ if you prioritize a more balanced approach, potentially valuing other features (not detailed in provided data) and are less concerned with achieving the absolute fastest charging times. It’s a strong contender for users who prefer a more conservative charging profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the iQOO 7's 120W charging degrade the battery faster?
While extremely fast charging can theoretically contribute to battery degradation over the long term, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging management systems to mitigate this effect. The iQOO 7 likely utilizes these technologies, and the convenience of rapid charging often outweighs the minimal potential impact on battery lifespan. Furthermore, the 66W charging in international models offers a good balance between speed and battery health.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Redmi K40 Pro+ throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, which can lead to thermal throttling. The Redmi K40 Pro+'s thermal management system (cooling solution details are unavailable) will determine how effectively it mitigates this issue. Expect some performance reduction during prolonged gaming, but the extent will vary depending on ambient temperature and game settings.
❓ Is the difference between 120W and 33W charging *really* that noticeable?
Absolutely. 120W charging can take a phone from 0% to 100% in around 15 minutes (China), while 33W charging takes over 50 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, offering a level of convenience that 33W charging simply cannot match.