The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the ZTE Blade V40 and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise solid features at affordable prices, but which one truly delivers? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade V40 edges out the Redmi 10C thanks to its slightly faster chipset and quicker charging. However, the Redmi 10C offers a compelling package with its efficient Snapdragon processor and potentially better software support. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | - | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade V40
- Faster chipset (Dimensity 700)
- 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better camera detail (higher resolution)
- Software support may be less frequent than Xiaomi
- Design might be less premium than Redmi 10C
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Excellent power efficiency (Snapdragon 680)
- Potentially longer software support
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- Slower 60Hz display
- Slower 18W charging
- Slightly less powerful chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.67-inch displays, but the Blade V40 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother scrolling experience compared to the Redmi 10C's standard 60Hz. Resolution is likely similar (likely FHD+), but the higher refresh rate gives the V40 a noticeable edge in perceived responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
The Blade V40 typically features a higher resolution main camera (64MP vs Redmi 10C's 50MP), potentially capturing more detail. Both phones likely offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be comparable. Software processing and camera features will play a significant role in the final image quality.
Performance
The ZTE Blade V40's Mediatek Dimensity 700 generally outperforms the Snapdragon 680 in synthetic benchmarks and real-world usage, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks. The Dimensity 700's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency. However, the Snapdragon 680's 6nm process provides excellent efficiency, and MIUI optimization on the Redmi 10C can make it feel surprisingly snappy.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680 is known for its excellent power efficiency. While both phones have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), the Redmi 10C might offer slightly better real-world battery life. The Blade V40's 22.5W charging is faster than the Redmi 10C's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and faster charging. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is a great pick for those seeking a reliable, efficient phone with a focus on battery life and potentially longer software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Blade V40's Dimensity 700 chipset generally offers better gaming performance due to its higher clock speeds and more powerful GPU.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life. The Redmi 10C might edge out the Blade V40 slightly due to the Snapdragon 680's efficiency, but it depends heavily on usage patterns.
