The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V40 Design and the vivo Y21s. Both promise solid features at an affordable price, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y21s edges out the ZTE Blade V40 Design thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G80 vs. Tiger T616), reverse charging capability, and generally better software support. While the Blade V40 boasts a larger screen, the Y21s offers a more refined overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 21 | 2021, September 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 10 | Available. Released 2021, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163 x 74 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183.4 g (6.46 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Starry Black | Midnight Blue, Pearl White |
| Models | 8046 | V2110 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade V40 Design
- Larger Display
- Potentially better design aesthetics
- Decent Battery Life
- Weaker Chipset
- Slower Charging
- Less Software Support
vivo Y21s
- More Powerful Chipset (Helio G80)
- Reverse Charging
- Generally Better Software Support
- Slightly Faster Charging
- Smaller Display
- Potentially less premium design
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade V40 Design features a larger 6.67-inch display, likely offering a more immersive viewing experience for videos and games. The vivo Y21s has a 6.51-inch display. Both are likely to be LCD panels with standard refresh rates (60Hz). The Blade V40 might have slightly better color accuracy due to ZTE's focus on design.
Camera Comparison
The ZTE Blade V40 Design typically features a higher resolution main camera (likely 64MP vs. vivo Y21s' 13MP). However, megapixels aren't everything. Image processing and software optimization play a crucial role. Both phones likely offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance might be a weak point for both.
Performance
Here's where the vivo Y21s takes a lead. The Mediatek Helio G80 chipset generally outperforms the Unisoc Tiger T616. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Y21s. Both phones have 4GB/6GB RAM options, but the G80's GPU advantage is noticeable.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a substantial 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. The vivo Y21s' 18W wired charging is slightly faster than the Blade V40's 22.5W, but the reverse charging feature on the Y21s is a significant advantage for topping up accessories like earbuds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 Design is ideal for users prioritizing a large display for media consumption and those seeking a simple, straightforward Android experience. The vivo Y21s is a better choice for those who value performance, a slightly more modern design, and the added convenience of reverse charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo Y21s is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G80 chipset.
❓ Can the vivo Y21s charge other devices?
Yes, the vivo Y21s supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.
❓ Which phone has a better camera overall?
While the ZTE Blade V40 Design has a higher resolution main camera, the vivo Y21s' image processing might result in better overall image quality.
