ZTE Blade V40s vs Xiaomi Poco M5: A Detailed Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V40s and the Xiaomi Poco M5. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Poco M5 edges out the ZTE Blade V40s thanks to its more powerful chipset (Helio G99 vs. UMS512T T618), slightly faster charging, and generally better performance. While the Blade V40s has a few strengths, the Poco M5 offers a more compelling package for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Blade V40s	Xiaomi Poco M5

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, October 04	2022, September 05
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 04	Available. Released 2022, September 13

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	163.5 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)	164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	184 g (6.49 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc UMS512T T618 (12 nm)	Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MP2	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 12, MyOS 12	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	-
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	50 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, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	22.5W wired	18W wired
Type	Li-Ion 4500 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Blue, Black	Black, Green, Yellow
Models	-	22071219CG
Price	About 170 EUR	About 100 EUR
SAR	-	1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 121h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1363:1
Loudspeaker	-	-27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 386311 (v9) GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Blade V40s

Potentially better camera in certain lighting
Slightly faster charging (22.5W)
Clean software experience

Weaker chipset
Lower peak brightness
Less future-proof

Xiaomi Poco M5

More powerful chipset (Helio G99)
Brighter display (448 nits)
Better gaming performance
Slightly more efficient

Slower charging (18W)
Software may have more bloatware

Display Comparison

Both phones feature impressive contrast ratios (1363:1), but the Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits, which is noticeably brighter than the Blade V40s. This makes the Poco M5 easier to view in direct sunlight. Screen sizes are likely similar, around 6.5 inches, with FHD+ resolution on both, offering sharp visuals. The Poco M5 may have a slightly better color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed, but the Poco M5 likely has a more versatile camera system. While the Blade V40s might offer slightly better image processing in specific scenarios, the Poco M5's hardware generally provides better results, especially in low light. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable, both offering 1080p recording.

Performance

Here's where the Poco M5 truly shines. The Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc UMS512T T618 (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Poco M5. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Poco M5's CPU also contribute to improved performance compared to the Cortex-A75 cores in the Blade V40s.

Battery Life

Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Poco M5's slightly more efficient chipset might give it a marginal edge in real-world usage. The Blade V40s has 22.5W charging, while the Poco M5 has 18W, meaning the Blade V40s will charge slightly faster.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the ZTE Blade V40s? Users prioritizing a clean software experience and potentially a slightly better camera in certain lighting conditions might find it appealing. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M5? Gamers, power users, and those seeking a more responsive and future-proof device will benefit from the Poco M5's superior performance.