Realme 9 Pro+ vs ZTE Blade V40s: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 Pro+ and ZTE Blade V40s represent distinct approaches. The Realme 9 Pro+ aims for performance with its Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset and rapid 60W charging, while the ZTE Blade V40s prioritizes efficiency and affordability with a Unisoc UMS512T T618. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 920 chipset delivers a significantly smoother experience, and the 60W charging is a game-changer. However, the ZTE Blade V40s offers a compelling value proposition for those seeking a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Blade V40s Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, October 042022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 04Available. Released 2022, February 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions163.5 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc UMS512T T618 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, MyOS 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Ion 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlue, BlackMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
Models-RMX3392, RMX3393
PriceAbout 170 EUR€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Blade V40s

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Reliable and dependable operation

  • Slower charging speed
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Limited camera capabilities

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Significantly faster 60W charging
  • More powerful Dimensity 920 processor
  • Likely superior display quality

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially more heat generation under load
  • Battery capacity not specified

Display Comparison

The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant display experience, though specific brightness nits are not provided. The ZTE Blade V40s lacks detailed display specifications, implying a more standard LCD panel. While the Realme's contrast ratio hints at superior visual quality, the absence of data on both devices prevents a definitive assessment of color accuracy or viewing angles. The Realme likely benefits from a more advanced panel technology given its positioning.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited for both devices. The Realme 9 Pro+’s camera system is likely more sophisticated, given its overall positioning, but specific sensor sizes and apertures are unknown. The ZTE Blade V40s likely features a more basic camera setup. Without detailed specifications, it’s difficult to assess image quality, but the Realme’s processor likely offers more advanced image processing capabilities. The absence of information on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device suggests limited low-light performance improvements.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme 9 Pro+ utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) with a 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, while the ZTE Blade V40s features the Unisoc UMS512T T618 (12nm) with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Dimensity 920’s 6nm process node is significantly more efficient than the Unisoc’s 12nm, translating to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Realme also offer a performance advantage over the A75 cores in the ZTE, making the 9 Pro+ the superior choice for demanding applications and gaming. RAM specifications are missing for both, but the chipset difference will be the dominant factor.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging, with a claimed 100% charge in 44 minutes, is a significant advantage over the ZTE Blade V40s’ 22.5W charging. While the Realme 9 Pro+ has an endurance rating of 117 hours, the actual battery capacity is not specified. The faster charging speed of the Realme will be particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The ZTE Blade V40s, with its slower charging, will require more time to reach a full charge, potentially impacting usability for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Blade V40s if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication, and value affordability above all else. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and are willing to pay a premium for faster charging and a more powerful processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc UMS512T T618 in the ZTE Blade V40s capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc UMS512T T618 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense moments. The Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ offers a much smoother gaming experience with higher graphical fidelity.
❓ How much faster is the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ compared to the 22.5W charging on the ZTE Blade V40s in real-world use?
The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W charging can realistically add a significant amount of battery life in a short period – potentially 50% charge in around 20-25 minutes. The ZTE Blade V40s’ 22.5W charging will take considerably longer, likely over an hour to reach a similar charge level.
❓ Does the Realme 9 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 920 is a relatively efficient chip, but prolonged gaming can still generate heat. The Realme 9 Pro+ likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating, but sustained performance may be throttled slightly during extended gaming sessions. The Unisoc chip in the ZTE Blade V40s will likely throttle sooner.