Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 888 Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more refined experience thanks to its significantly faster charging (65W vs 33W) and brighter display (859 nits). However, the Redmi K40 Pro presents a compelling value proposition, delivering comparable performance at a potentially lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 25 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 04 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 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) | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4520 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Aurora | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | M2012K11C | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro
- Potentially lower price point for similar performance
- Snapdragon 888 provides excellent processing power
- Competent camera system
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Likely less refined software experience
- Display brightness potentially lower than OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Significantly faster charging (65W wired, 50W wireless)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially superior camera system with Hasselblad tuning
- Higher price point
- Snapdragon 888 can still experience throttling under sustained load
- OxygenOS, while refined, has seen changes in recent years
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 859 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi K40 Pro (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). While both utilize AMOLED technology, OnePlus’s display likely benefits from more advanced calibration and potentially LTPO technology (based on OnePlus’s typical flagship features), enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. The Redmi K40 Pro’s display quality is still expected to be excellent, but the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a clear advantage for outdoor use and potentially smoother visuals.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given OnePlus’s partnership with Hasselblad, the 9 Pro likely emphasizes color science and image processing distinct from Xiaomi’s typically more saturated style. Sensor size and optical image stabilization (OIS) are critical factors not provided, but the OnePlus 9 Pro is likely to feature a larger main sensor and more advanced OIS, resulting in better low-light performance and stabilized video recording. The Redmi K40 Pro’s camera system is expected to be competent, but the OnePlus 9 Pro likely offers a more refined and versatile photographic experience.
Performance
Both the Redmi K40 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm 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). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, OnePlus’s thermal management system, historically more robust, may allow for sustained peak performance for longer durations, mitigating potential throttling under heavy load. RAM configurations and storage speeds (UFS 3.1 vs potentially slower on the Redmi) could also contribute to real-world performance differences, though these are not specified in the provided data.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9 Pro’s charging capabilities are a significant differentiator. Its 65W wired charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 29 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Redmi K40 Pro’s 33W charging (52 minutes). Furthermore, the OnePlus 9 Pro supports 50W wireless charging (43 minutes to full) and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Redmi K40 Pro. Both phones have an endurance rating of 86h, suggesting similar battery life despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified). The OnePlus 9 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with a slightly less polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently game or run demanding applications and appreciate a phone that can keep up without breaking the bank. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value rapid charging, a brighter and potentially more color-accurate display, and a smoother, more feature-rich software experience, even if it comes at a premium.