vivo iQOO Neo5 S vs Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Flagships

The vivo iQOO Neo5 S and Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ represent a fascinating intersection in the Android market: both are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G, yet cater to slightly different priorities. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on charging speed, potential thermal performance, and overall user experience to determine which device delivers the most compelling package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and potentially sustained performance, the vivo iQOO Neo5 S emerges as the winner. Its 66W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Redmi K40 Pro+'s 33W solution, and while both share the same chipset, faster charging can indirectly aid thermal management by reducing prolonged high-load scenarios.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo5 S 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, 8, 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, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, December 202021, February 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 25Available. Released 2021, March 04
Body
Dimensions163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 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)
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% 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)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 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, OriginOS OceanAndroid 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)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@30fps, 1080p@30fps8K@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 HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, 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
Charging66W wired, 70% in 18 min33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min (advertised)
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsOrange, Blue, BlackBlack, White, Aurora
PriceAbout 380 EURAbout 470 EUR

vivo iQOO Neo5 S

  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • Potential for better sustained performance due to quicker recharge
  • Likely optimized for gaming based on iQOO branding

  • Software experience may be less refined than Xiaomi's MIUI
  • Specific battery capacity unknown

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+

  • Potentially more polished software experience with MIUI
  • May offer a more comprehensive camera feature set
  • Established brand reputation for software updates

  • Slower 33W charging
  • Potential for more noticeable thermal throttling during extended use

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 888, meaning display performance will be largely dictated by panel quality and optimization. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) aren't provided, the focus shifts to charging. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a standard 120Hz refresh rate, potentially impacting battery life compared to adaptive refresh rate displays. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar market positioning.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the sensor sizes, lens apertures, and image processing algorithms will determine image quality. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is notable; its presence would significantly improve low-light photography and video stabilization. We can assume both will offer a standard suite of camera modes, but the Redmi K40 Pro+ may benefit from Xiaomi’s established image processing pipeline.

Performance

The core performance is identical: both the iQOO Neo5 S and Redmi K40 Pro+ are built around the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). However, the difference in charging speeds could indirectly impact sustained performance. Faster charging allows for quicker return to full power, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The type of RAM (LPDDR5 or LPDDR5x) isn't specified, but faster RAM would benefit multitasking and app loading speeds.

Battery Life

The battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging speed is a critical differentiator. The iQOO Neo5 S boasts 66W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in just 18 minutes. Conversely, the Redmi K40 Pro+ offers 33W wired charging, taking a considerably longer 52 minutes to reach 100%. This difference is substantial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Redmi K40 Pro+ could offset the slower charging, the iQOO Neo5 S’s speed provides a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 S if you need blazing-fast charging and anticipate frequent, intensive use – gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking. The 66W charging is a game-changer for minimizing downtime. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience (depending on MIUI preference) and are less concerned with absolute charging speed, accepting a longer recharge time for a potentially more polished overall package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in either phone overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones share the same chipset, the iQOO Neo5 S’s faster charging allows for quicker return to full power, potentially mitigating thermal throttling by reducing the duration of high-load scenarios. Thermal management implementation (cooling systems) will also play a crucial role.
❓ Is the difference between 66W and 33W charging really that noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The iQOO Neo5 S’s 66W charging can add hours of usage in just minutes, making it ideal for users who frequently run out of battery. The Redmi K40 Pro+'s 33W charging is still respectable, but requires significantly more time to fully recharge, impacting convenience.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
This information isn't provided. However, given the flagship positioning, it's less likely that either device will offer microSD card support. Users should carefully consider their storage needs before purchasing.