Google Pixel 6a vs. ZTE Blade V40 Pro: A Mid-Range Showdown

The Google Pixel 6a established itself as a benchmark for software and camera performance in the mid-range. Now, the ZTE Blade V40 Pro enters the arena, aiming to disrupt with a focus on rapid charging and a competitive price point. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, revealing where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. Its Google Tensor chip delivers a significantly smoother and more responsive experience, coupled with exceptional camera capabilities. While the ZTE Blade V40 Pro’s 65W charging is impressive, it doesn’t compensate for the performance gap.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Blade V40 Pro	Google Pixel 6a

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
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)

Launch
Announced	2022, March 01	2022, May 11
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 08	Available. Released 2022, July 21

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	163.9 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)	152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED	OLED, HDR
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm)	Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPU	Mali G52 MP2	Mali-G78 MP20
OS	Android 11	Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad	64 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Single	16 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30ps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	Yes	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 3.1
WLAN	Yes	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	65W wired, 50% in 15 min	18W wired, PD3.0
Type	Li-Po 5100 mAh	Li-Po 4410 mAh

Misc
Colors	Dark Green, Iridescent White	Chalk, Charcoal, Sage
Models	-	GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price	About 350 EUR	$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 94h
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

ZTE Blade V40 Pro

Significantly faster processor with Google Tensor
Superior camera performance and image processing
Guaranteed software updates and long-term support

Slower charging speed (18W)
Higher price point compared to the ZTE Blade V40 Pro

Google Pixel 6a

Blazing-fast 65W wired charging
More affordable price
Decent battery endurance

Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
Likely inferior camera performance
Uncertainty regarding long-term software support

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a boasts a measured peak brightness of 876 nits, providing excellent visibility even outdoors, a metric the ZTE Blade V40 Pro’s display specifications do not provide. While the Blade V40 Pro’s panel details are scarce, the Pixel 6a’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The Pixel 6a’s display is likely to offer better color accuracy due to Google’s calibration, a crucial factor for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6a’s camera prowess is well-documented, leveraging Google’s computational photography expertise. While specific sensor details are missing for the Blade V40 Pro, the Pixel 6a’s image processing pipeline consistently delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate colors, and impressive low-light performance. The Pixel 6a’s focus on software optimization likely surpasses any hardware advantage the Blade V40 Pro might offer. The absence of detailed camera specs for the ZTE suggests a less emphasized photographic experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor (5nm) is a flagship-class processor featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.80 GHz, offering a substantial performance advantage over the ZTE Blade V40 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm). The Tensor’s architecture, with its Cortex-A76 and A55 cores, is more efficient and powerful than the T618’s Cortex-A75 and A55 configuration. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Pixel 6a. The 5nm fabrication process of the Tensor also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing approaches. The ZTE Blade V40 Pro compensates for a potentially smaller battery capacity with its 65W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 15 minutes. Conversely, the Pixel 6a utilizes 18W wired charging with PD3.0, a slower but still respectable charging speed. The Blade V40 Pro’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, while the Pixel 6a’s endurance suggests efficient power management.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Blade V40 Pro if you prioritize extremely fast charging and are on a very tight budget, accepting compromises in processing power and camera quality. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a fluid user experience, excellent camera performance, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means slower charging and a higher initial investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the ZTE Blade V40 Pro capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?

While the T618 can run Genshin Impact, expect to make significant compromises in graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates. The Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor will provide a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more stable performance.

❓ How does the Pixel 6a’s software support compare to the ZTE Blade V40 Pro?

Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for the Pixel 6a, ensuring long-term security and access to the latest features. ZTE’s software support track record is less consistent, and the Blade V40 Pro is unlikely to receive the same level of long-term updates.

❓ Does the 65W charging on the ZTE Blade V40 Pro generate excessive heat during charging?

While 65W charging is fast, ZTE likely incorporates thermal management features to mitigate heat generation. However, it's reasonable to expect some warmth during rapid charging. The Pixel 6a’s slower 18W charging will generate significantly less heat.