ZTE offers a diverse range of smartphones, catering to different needs and budgets. Today, we're pitting two of their devices against each other: the budget-friendly ZTE Blade V40 Pro and the gaming-focused ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S. Which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The nubia Red Magic 5S is the clear winner for performance and gaming thanks to its Snapdragon 865. The Blade V40 Pro offers impressive 65W charging and a more affordable price point, making it a solid choice for everyday users prioritizing value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2020, July 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 08 | Available. Released 2020, August 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 168.6 x 78 x 9.8 mm (6.64 x 3.07 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | - | Pressure sensitive zones (300Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, Redmagic 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| 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), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.0, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
2 MP, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30ps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, 50% in 15 min | 55W wired, 56% in 15 min, 100% in 40 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Green, Iridescent White | Silver, Pulse |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 540 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-22.6 LUFS (Excellent)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 557056 (v8)
GeekBench: 13400 (v4.4), 3386 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade V40 Pro
- Fast 65W Charging
- Affordable Price
- Decent Display
- Reliable for Daily Tasks
- Lower Performance
- Less Powerful Camera
- May Struggle with Demanding Games
ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S
- Exceptional Performance (Snapdragon 865)
- High Refresh Rate Display
- Excellent Battery Life
- Dedicated Gaming Features
- Higher Price
- Potentially Bulky Design
- Camera Not Top-Tier (Compared to Flagships)
Display Comparison
The nubia Red Magic 5S boasts a superior display with a likely higher resolution and refresh rate (typically 144Hz) compared to the Blade V40 Pro. While the Red Magic 5S advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, this is a marketing term. Both phones likely offer vibrant colors, but the Red Magic 5S's higher refresh rate will result in smoother visuals, especially during gaming.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are missing for the Blade V40 Pro, the Red Magic 5S is known to have a capable camera setup. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the Red Magic 5S. The Blade V40 Pro likely offers a decent camera for casual photography.
Performance
Here's where the Red Magic 5S truly shines. The Snapdragon 865 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc Tiger T618. Expect drastically faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding games with ease on the Red Magic 5S. The Blade V40 Pro is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer fast charging. The Blade V40 Pro's 65W charging is incredibly quick. The Red Magic 5S's 55W charging is still fast, and its larger battery capacity (likely around 4500mAh vs Blade V40 Pro's 4000mAh) combined with the endurance rating of 83h suggests superior battery life overall.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 Pro is ideal for users seeking a reliable, budget-friendly smartphone with fast charging for daily tasks and casual use. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5S is the go-to choice for mobile gamers and power users who demand top-tier performance and a dedicated gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade V40 Pro good for gaming?
The Blade V40 Pro can handle casual games, but it will struggle with demanding titles. The Red Magic 5S is significantly better suited for gaming.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The ZTE Blade V40 Pro has slightly faster wired charging at 65W compared to the Red Magic 5S's 55W.
❓ Is the Red Magic 5S worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious mobile gamer or need top-tier performance, the Red Magic 5S is worth the investment. Otherwise, the Blade V40 Pro offers excellent value for everyday use.
