The vivo Z1Pro and Samsung Galaxy M40 represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches under the hood. This comparison dissects the core differences – specifically the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 in the Z1Pro versus the Snapdragon 675 in the M40 – to determine which phone offers the best value and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly faster charging, the vivo Z1Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 712, built on a smaller 10nm process, offers a modest but noticeable edge in CPU and GPU capabilities, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the M40 remains a strong contender for those seeking a balanced experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 155.3 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.11 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 32 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sonic Blue, Sonic Black, Mirror Black | Seawater Blue, Midnight Blue, Cocktail Orange |
| Models | 1951, PD1911F_EX, 1918 | SM-M405F, SM-M405FN, SM-M405G |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.20 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 184517 (v7)
GeekBench: 6001 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
vivo Z1Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management
- May consume slightly more power than the 675
- No specific display details available
Samsung Galaxy M40
- Potentially more efficient 11nm Snapdragon 675
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Slightly less powerful CPU and GPU
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, both phones likely feature LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the underlying chipsets impacting display processing. The Snapdragon 712’s image signal processor (ISP) could offer slightly better color reproduction and dynamic range. However, without knowing panel characteristics like peak brightness or color gamut coverage, a definitive winner is impossible to declare. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of 2019.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 712’s ISP generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities than the 675’s. This could translate to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos captured on the Z1Pro. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. It’s reasonable to assume both phones include standard features like HDR and scene detection, but the Z1Pro’s chipset likely provides a more sophisticated implementation.
Performance
The vivo Z1Pro’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) and the Samsung Galaxy M40’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm) represent distinct approaches to mid-range performance. The 712, with its Kryo 360 Gold cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, offers a slight CPU clock speed advantage over the M40’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. More importantly, the 10nm fabrication process of the SDM712 generally translates to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. While the SDM675’s 11nm process aims for efficiency, the Z1Pro’s chipset has a performance edge. Both utilize similar Kryo Silver cores at 1.7 GHz for power-efficient tasks.
Battery Life
The vivo Z1Pro supports 18W wired charging, while the Samsung Galaxy M40 is limited to 15W. This 3W difference, while not massive, translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the Z1Pro. Without knowing the battery capacity of each device, it’s difficult to assess overall battery life. However, the Snapdragon 712’s potentially better efficiency could contribute to longer runtimes on the Z1Pro, even with a similar battery capacity. The 15W charging on the M40 is adequate for overnight charging, but the Z1Pro offers more convenience for quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z1Pro if you need a phone capable of handling more intensive gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the benefit of a slightly faster charging speed. This phone is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile games. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M40 if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset due to its 11nm process, and are looking for a reliable all-rounder with a focus on everyday tasks and media consumption. It's a great choice for users who value battery life and don't push their phone to its absolute limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the Galaxy M40 struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG, but you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Snapdragon 712 in the Z1Pro offers a more comfortable experience with higher settings and less frame rate fluctuation, especially during intense firefights.
❓ Does the 11nm process of the Snapdragon 675 in the M40 translate to significantly better battery life compared to the Z1Pro?
While the 11nm process is more efficient, the difference in real-world battery life is likely to be marginal. The Z1Pro’s potentially more efficient ISP and optimized software could offset the process node advantage of the M40. Usage patterns will ultimately be the biggest factor in determining battery life.
❓ Is the 3W difference in charging speed (18W vs 15W) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 3W difference is noticeable, especially for quick top-ups. The Z1Pro will charge noticeably faster, reducing downtime. While not a game-changer, it adds convenience for users who frequently need to recharge their phones.
