The smartphone market offers a vast range of options, from budget-friendly devices to high-end flagships. Today, we're pitting two distinct contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V40 Vita, a modern budget offering, and the HTC U11, a classic flagship known for its impressive battery life and audio. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC U11 decisively wins this comparison. While the ZTE Blade V40 Vita offers a more modern design and potentially a slightly better display, the U11's Snapdragon 835 chipset, exceptional battery life, and superior audio experience make it the clear victor, especially considering its often-discounted price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 31 | 2017, May 16. Released 2017, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 13 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 168 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.37 in) | 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214.3 g (7.55 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super LCD5 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 12 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (5.0 after SW update) |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 336 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, Solar Red |
| Models | 8045 | U11, HTV33, 2PZC100, 2PZC5, 601HT |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.1 / Crosstalk -94.5 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 6393 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade V40 Vita
- Modern design
- Potentially better display (resolution)
- Affordable price
- Weak performance
- Short battery life
- Mediocre camera
HTC U11
- Excellent battery life
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Superior audio quality (BoomSound)
- Good camera for its age
- Older design
- LCD display (not as vibrant as modern OLEDs)
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade V40 Vita likely boasts a more modern display panel (likely IPS LCD) with potentially better color accuracy and brightness compared to the HTC U11's LCD. However, the U11's screen size and resolution were competitive at the time of its release, and the difference may not be drastically noticeable for everyday use. The V40 Vita likely has a higher resolution.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the HTC U11 generally had a better reputation for its camera quality in its prime. The U11's camera was known for its accurate colors and good dynamic range. The V40 Vita's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but won't match the U11's performance in challenging lighting conditions. The U11 also had a dedicated camera app with more features.
Performance
Here, the HTC U11 takes a significant lead. The Snapdragon 835 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the U11. The V40 Vita will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
The HTC U11's endurance rating of 73 hours is truly remarkable and a major selling point. The ZTE Blade V40 Vita's battery capacity is likely smaller, and the less efficient Unisoc chipset will result in significantly shorter battery life. The U11's battery life is a standout feature.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 Vita is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize a modern design and a decent, though not exceptional, camera. The HTC U11 is perfect for those seeking long battery life, powerful performance for its age, and a fantastic audio experience, particularly if they can find it at a reduced price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade V40 Vita good for gaming?
No, the ZTE Blade V40 Vita's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ How does the HTC U11's audio quality compare to modern phones?
The HTC U11's BoomSound speakers were considered among the best in the smartphone market at the time of its release. While modern phones have improved, the U11 still offers a surprisingly good audio experience.
