The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G and ZTE Blade V40 Design both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage, coupled with significantly faster 67W charging. While the ZTE Blade V40 Design offers a reasonable experience, it struggles to match the Poco X4 Pro's overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 21 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163 x 74 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183.4 g (6.46 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF - Global version
64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF - India version
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 70% in 22 min, 100% in 41 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Starry Black | Laser Black, Laser Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | 8046 | 2201116PG |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 160.40 / $ 419.99 / £ 255.00 / ₹ 12,940 |
| SAR | - | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 335353 (v8), 384646 (v9)
GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade V40 Design
- Lower initial purchase price
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 695
- Slower 22.5W charging
- 12nm process less efficient
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Significantly faster 67W charging with PD3.0/QC3.0
- 6nm process for better thermal management
- Higher initial purchase price
- Camera specs lack detail
- No mention of OIS
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are absent. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather on core functionality. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison, but given the price points, neither is expected to compete with flagship-level displays.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing features. This suggests a focus on basic photography rather than advanced features. Without concrete specifications, it's difficult to assess camera quality. However, the absence of any mention of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device indicates that low-light performance will likely be a weakness. The 2MP macro cameras often found in this segment are unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), featuring a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver CPU configuration. This 6nm process offers superior power efficiency compared to the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) in the ZTE Blade V40 Design, which has a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU. The Snapdragon 695's architecture translates to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling during demanding tasks. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon's architecture and fabrication process give it a clear edge.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 119 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The ZTE Blade V40 Design offers 22.5W wired charging, while the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G supports 67W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3.0 compatibility. This translates to a 70% charge in 22 minutes and a full charge in 41 minutes for the Poco X4 Pro 5G – a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade V40 Design if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more future-proof 5G experience, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Poco X4 Pro 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 6nm process helps with thermal throttling, but it's not a gaming-focused chipset.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G compared to the 22.5W charging on the ZTE Blade V40 Design in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G can fully charge the device in approximately 41 minutes, while the ZTE Blade V40 Design will take considerably longer, likely exceeding 1 hour and 30 minutes. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the ZTE Blade V40 Design support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Information regarding carrier aggregation support for the Unisoc Tiger T616 is limited. It's likely to have limited carrier aggregation capabilities compared to the Snapdragon 695, potentially resulting in slower 5G speeds in certain areas.
❓ Are there any significant differences in software updates and support between these two brands?
Xiaomi generally provides more frequent software updates and longer-term support for its devices compared to ZTE. While both brands offer Android updates, Xiaomi's MIUI skin often receives more consistent improvements and security patches.
