Xiaomi Redmi K40 vs Motorola Edge 20 Pro: A Deep Dive into the Snapdragon 870 Experience

The Xiaomi Redmi K40 and Motorola Edge 20 Pro represent a fascinating intersection in the smartphone market. Both devices leverage the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, offering flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point. However, subtle differences in display technology, charging speeds, and overall design philosophy create distinct user experiences. This comparison aims to dissect these nuances and determine which phone delivers the most compelling package.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi K40 emerges as the winner. While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts a slightly brighter display and comparable endurance, the K40’s 33W charging and often lower price make it a more practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi K40	Motorola Edge 20 Pro

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands	1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	-

Launch
Announced	2021, February 25	2021, July 29
Status	Available. Released 2021, March 04	Available. Released 2021, August 16

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back
Dimensions	163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)	163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	196 g (6.91 oz)	185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz)
	-	Water-repellent design

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 650
OS	Android 11, MIUI 12	Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB 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	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm	-
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro)	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm	32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video	1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min	30W wired
Type	Li-Po 4520 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Aurora	Midnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud
Models	M2012K11AC	XT2153-1
Price	About 280 EUR	About 330 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 112h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-29.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 711090 (v9) GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K40

Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support
Potentially lower price point
Strong Snapdragon 870 performance

Display specs are largely unknown
Camera details are limited

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

Brighter 673 nit display
Excellent 112-hour endurance rating
Potential for superior image stabilization

Slower 30W charging
May be more expensive than the Redmi K40

Display Comparison

Both phones feature displays capable of delivering a vibrant visual experience, but key differences exist. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro edges out the Redmi K40 with a measured peak brightness of 673 nits, providing better visibility under direct sunlight. While the Redmi K40’s display specs aren’t provided, the Edge 20 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a strong performance in displaying deep blacks. The lack of information on the Redmi K40’s panel type (AMOLED vs IPS) and refresh rate makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Edge 20 Pro’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for outdoor users.

Camera Comparison

Both the Redmi K40 and Edge 20 Pro are advertised as having capable photo and video capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is challenging. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Edge 20 Pro would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography, but this isn’t confirmed. It’s safe to assume both phones will offer a versatile camera experience, but the Edge 20 Pro’s potential for superior image stabilization gives it a slight edge.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) chipset, paired with an identical Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585). This means raw processing power will be virtually indistinguishable between the two. Performance will largely depend on RAM management and software optimization, areas where Xiaomi and Motorola have different approaches. The absence of LPDDR5x RAM specifications for either device suggests they likely utilize LPDDR5, which is still a high-performance standard. Thermal management, however, remains an unknown factor without detailed testing.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Redmi K40’s battery capacity is unknown, making a direct comparison difficult. The Edge 20 Pro supports 30W wired charging, while the Redmi K40 offers slightly faster 33W wired charging with support for PD3.0 and QC3. This translates to a full charge in 52 minutes for the K40. While the Edge 20 Pro’s endurance is commendable, the K40’s faster charging is a practical advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 if you need a phone that charges quickly and offers excellent performance for gaming and everyday tasks without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if you prioritize a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility and appreciate a clean, near-stock Android experience, and are less concerned about charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Redmi K40 support fast charging with my existing USB-PD charger?

Yes, the Redmi K40 supports USB Power Delivery (PD3.0) alongside Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC3), meaning it should work seamlessly with most modern USB-PD chargers for faster charging speeds than standard USB charging.

❓ How does the Snapdragon 870 in the Edge 20 Pro handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?

The Snapdragon 870 is a very capable chipset and can handle Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates. However, sustained performance will depend on the Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s thermal management system. Expect some throttling during extended gaming sessions, but overall a smooth experience.

❓ Is the camera on the Motorola Edge 20 Pro good for taking photos in low-light conditions?

While specific details are limited, the Edge 20 Pro’s potential inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would significantly improve low-light photography by reducing blur and allowing for longer exposure times. Without OIS, the Redmi K40 may struggle in very dark environments.

❓ What type of display technology does the Redmi K40 use, and how does it affect image quality?

Unfortunately, the display technology used in the Redmi K40 isn't specified. If it's an AMOLED panel, you can expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. If it's an IPS LCD, it will likely offer accurate colors but may lack the contrast of an AMOLED display. The lack of this information makes a direct comparison to the Edge 20 Pro’s display difficult.