The mid-range smartphone market is packed with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V40 Pro and the vivo V21s. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo V21s edges out the ZTE Blade V40 Pro thanks to its superior chipset, smoother performance, and generally more refined software experience. While the Blade V40 Pro boasts incredibly fast charging, the V21s offers a more well-rounded package for most users.
| 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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2022, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 08 | Available. Released 2022, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm or 7.4 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 176 g / 177 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30ps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, 50% in 15 min | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Green, Iridescent White | Dusk Blue, Gradient |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 360 EUR |
ZTE Blade V40 Pro
- Incredibly fast 65W charging
- Large display for media consumption
- Competitive price
- Less powerful chipset
- Camera performance not as strong
- Software experience can be less polished
vivo V21s
- Faster and more efficient chipset
- Better camera system with OIS
- Smoother performance and user experience
- Premium design
- Slower charging speed compared to Blade V40 Pro
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the vivo V21s often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Blade V40 Pro typically has a larger screen size, which can be beneficial for media consumption. The V21s often has a higher refresh rate (90Hz) for smoother scrolling.
Camera Comparison
The vivo V21s generally offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. It often includes features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for sharper photos and videos, and better low-light performance. While the Blade V40 Pro has a decent camera, it doesn't match the V21s's capabilities.
Performance
The vivo V21s's Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Blade V40 Pro. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the V21s. The V21s's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The ZTE Blade V40 Pro's 65W charging is a standout feature, allowing it to charge from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes. The vivo V21s's 33W charging is still respectable, but slower. Battery capacity is generally comparable between the two, with both offering all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a large display on a tight budget. The vivo V21s is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, a better camera system, and a more premium design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo V21s is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and better thermal management.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade V40 Pro have 5G?
No, the ZTE Blade V40 Pro does not support 5G connectivity. The vivo V21s also lacks 5G.
