Xiaomi Redmi K40S vs Redmi K40 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's Redmi series consistently delivers impressive value, and the K40S and K40 Pro are no exception. Both offer flagship-level performance at a competitive price, but key differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi K40 Pro boasts the more powerful Snapdragon 888 and a superior camera system, but the K40S offers significantly faster charging and a slightly more efficient chipset. Ultimately, the K40 Pro is the better performer, while the K40S provides excellent value with its charging speed.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi K40S	Xiaomi Redmi K40 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, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2022, March 17	2021, February 25
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 17	Available. Released 2021, March 04

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back	-
Dimensions	163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)	163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	195 g (6.88 oz)	196 g (6.91 oz)
	Splash resistant	IP53, dust and splash resistant

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, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 660
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 11, MIUI 12

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, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, (wide)	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)	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	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+

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

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	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), 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), NavIC (L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 38 min	33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4520 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Gray, Blue, Green	Black, White, Aurora
Models	-	M2012K11C
Price	About 260 EUR	About 360 EUR

Xiaomi Redmi K40S

Faster Charging (67W)
Efficient Snapdragon 870
Excellent Value
Good Display

Less Powerful Processor than K40 Pro
Inferior Camera System
Lower Brightness Display

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro

More Powerful Snapdragon 888
Superior Camera System
Slightly Better Display
Curved Display

Slower Charging (33W)
Can Run Hotter
Higher Price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. However, the K40 Pro generally has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The K40S has a flat display while the K40 Pro has a slightly curved edge.

Camera Comparison

The K40 Pro's camera system is a clear winner. It features a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens, delivering superior image quality, especially in low light. The K40S has a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens, which is still good but not as impressive.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888 in the K40 Pro offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 870 in the K40S, especially in demanding games and multitasking. While the 870 is still very capable, the 888 provides smoother overall performance. The K40S's efficiency, however, means it might run slightly cooler under sustained load.

Battery Life

The K40S shines here with its 67W fast charging, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in just 38 minutes. The K40 Pro's 33W charging takes considerably longer, around 52 minutes. Both phones have a 4500mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi K40S is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and efficient performance without breaking the bank. The Redmi K40 Pro is the better choice for those who demand the absolute best performance, camera quality, and are willing to trade off some charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 overheating a problem on the K40 Pro?

The Snapdragon 888 can run hotter than the 870, especially during intensive tasks. However, Xiaomi has implemented cooling solutions to mitigate this, and it's generally manageable with normal usage.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

Both phones run MIUI, and Xiaomi typically provides consistent software updates for its devices. However, the K40 Pro might receive updates slightly sooner due to being a newer model.