Redmi K40 Pro vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro and Google Pixel 6 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The K40 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 888, prioritizes raw performance and value, while the Pixel 6 Pro introduces Google’s Tensor chip, focusing on AI-driven features and a refined software experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balance of performance and affordability, the Redmi K40 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 888 delivers comparable processing power to the Tensor, coupled with faster charging, all at a significantly lower price point. However, the Pixel 6 Pro’s superior camera and software experience make it a compelling choice for photography enthusiasts and Google ecosystem devotees.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro Google Pixel 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2021, February 252021, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 04Available. Released 2021, October 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4520 mAhLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, AuroraCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
ModelsM2012K11CGLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
PriceAbout 360 EUR€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro

  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor

  • Camera likely lacks Pixel 6 Pro’s computational photography prowess
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Superior camera system with AI features
  • Clean and consistently updated Android experience
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower 23W wired charging
  • Higher price tag
  • Tensor chip’s raw performance may trail Snapdragon 888 in some tasks

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 846 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the K40 Pro. While the K40 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, the Pixel 6 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience, particularly with HDR content. The Pixel 6 Pro’s larger display size is also a factor for media consumption, though the K40 Pro likely offers a more power-efficient panel due to its lower peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro’s camera system is a key differentiator. While specific sensor details are missing for the K40 Pro, the Pixel 6 Pro’s image processing, powered by the Tensor chip, excels in dynamic range and computational photography. The Tensor’s dedicated image processing unit allows for features like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur, unavailable on the K40 Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro’s OIS is crucial for stable video recording and low-light photography, while the K40 Pro’s camera performance relies more heavily on the Snapdragon 888’s ISP.

Performance

Both devices utilize a 5nm fabrication process, but the chipsets differ significantly. The Redmi K40 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 features a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, while the Pixel 6 Pro’s Google Tensor uses a similar Cortex-X1 core at 2.80 GHz. However, the Tensor’s architecture emphasizes AI and machine learning tasks, potentially offering advantages in areas like image processing and voice recognition. The K40 Pro’s Adreno 660 GPU provides strong graphics performance, but the Tensor’s GPU is less well-defined in terms of raw power. Both phones feature octa-core CPUs with similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, suggesting comparable power efficiency during less demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 84 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the K40 Pro). However, the charging speeds diverge significantly. The Redmi K40 Pro supports 33W wired charging, reaching 100% in 52 minutes, while the Pixel 6 Pro offers slower 23W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) and the addition of 23W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. This makes the K40 Pro more convenient for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding tasks, and value fast charging and a lower price tag. You’ll benefit from the Snapdragon 888’s power and the 33W charging. Buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro if you prefer a best-in-class camera experience, a clean and consistently updated Android interface, and are willing to pay a premium for Google’s AI-powered features and long-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Redmi K40 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While the K40 Pro incorporates cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling, reducing peak performance. However, it generally remains a capable gaming device, and throttling is unlikely to be a major issue for casual gamers.
❓ How does the Google Tensor chip handle demanding tasks like video editing compared to the Snapdragon 888?
The Google Tensor prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks over raw CPU/GPU performance. While it’s capable of handling video editing, the Snapdragon 888 in the K40 Pro likely offers faster rendering and encoding speeds due to its more powerful GPU. The Tensor excels in tasks that leverage its AI capabilities, such as automatic video enhancements.
❓ Is the lack of a microSD card slot on either phone a significant limitation?
Both the Redmi K40 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro lack microSD card expansion. This means users are limited to the internal storage option they choose at purchase. For users who store large amounts of media or frequently transfer files, this could be a limitation, necessitating cloud storage or careful file management.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Xiaomi and Google for these devices?
Google provides guaranteed software updates for the Pixel 6 Pro for a longer duration (typically 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches) compared to Xiaomi. Xiaomi’s update schedule for the K40 Pro is less predictable, and users may receive fewer major Android version updates.