Xiaomi Redmi K40 review
The Xiaomi Redmi K40 boasts an impressive design, refined compared to its predecessor, with a sleek gradient color scheme that catches the eye. Weighing 196 grams and measuring 7.8mm in thickness, it's an excellent package for its price. The phone features a flat E4 OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of 1300 nits, and a 5:1 contrast ratio, resulting in outstanding performance and reduced power consumption. Under the hood lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chip, which provides robust performance and is well-balanced. In benchmark tests, the K40 achieves scores of 662211, 4092, and 1034/3485 in Antutu, 3DMark, and Geekbench 5 respectively, comparable to its predecessor. Camera-wise, the K40's main camera utilizes a 1/2" IMX 582 sensor without optical stabilization. In daylight conditions, it underexposes samples with poor dynamic range, but nighttime performance is more impressive, with better exposure control and reduced noise. Battery life is satisfactory, lasting over 6 hours on our test, and the phone charges to 69% in half an hour using a 33W charger, which can fully charge the battery in 54 minutes. Overall, the K40 offers great value for its price segment, excelling in performance, low heating, and excellent screen quality. In conclusion, if you're seeking a high-performance smartphone with a sophisticated design and reasonable camera capabilities, the Xiaomi Redmi K40 is an attractive choice. It's not without its flaws but provides a comfortable experience in its price range, especially considering the recent influx of new phones that may stiffen competition in coming months.
Build Quality and Design
The Redmi K40 boasts a refined design that surpasses its predecessor, the K30. The device measures 7.8mm in thickness and weighs only 196 grams, making it incredibly lightweight. The back of the phone features a seamless continuation of the Me series' design language, with an elongated camera module and evenly distributed elements. This results in a visually appealing design that is sure to turn heads. The device's build quality is equally impressive, with a sturdy construction that exudes a premium feel. The flat E4 1080p 120Hz refresh rate OLED screen is one of the main highlights of the K40 series, and its excellent performance is truly outstanding. The screen boasts 1300 nits of peak brightness, a 5 million to 1 contrast ratio, and consumes 15% less power than similar screens. The phone's design is also notable for its subtle details. The side fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button is cleverly designed, making it easier to press with your finger. This feature not only provides a convenient way to unlock the device but also adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the K40. Furthermore, the Redmi K40's design is on par with Xiaomi's flagship devices, such as the Mi 11. The phone's color options, including the red and blue gradient finish, are sure to please those who appreciate a stylish and eye-catching design. Overall, the Redmi K40's build quality and design are significant upgrades over its predecessor, making it an attractive option for anyone seeking a premium-looking device in this price range.
Battery Life
In my review of the Xiaomi Redmi K40, I was impressed with its battery life performance. With a 4520mAh battery, this phone is designed to last all day and night, and I'm happy to report that it delivers. During my testing, I ran various tasks such as TikTok and 1080p internet video for half an hour each, and the battery only dropped by 5% in total. This is a remarkable feat, considering the demanding nature of these activities. In more strenuous tests, I played Genshin Impact for 30 minutes, which consumed around 18-20% of the battery life. The Bright Ridge test also showed a similar result, with the battery dropping by 20% over 20 minutes. What's even more impressive is that the Redmi K40 charges quickly, thanks to its 33W fast charging capabilities. It took just 54 minutes to fully charge the phone from zero, which is faster than many other brands offering 40W charging. Overall, I'm thrilled with the battery life performance of the Xiaomi Redmi K40. It's a testament to the phone's efficiency and power management capabilities. Whether you're a gamer, a social media enthusiast, or just someone who loves watching videos on your phone, this battery will keep up with your needs.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi K40 boasts an impressive display that showcases the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. The phone features a 6.67-inch E4 AMOLED screen with a flat design, providing a stunning visual experience. With 1300 nits of peak brightness and a 5 million-to-1 contrast ratio, the display is capable of producing vivid colors and deep blacks. One of the standout features of the K40's display is its tiny 2.76mm hole punch, making it nearly imperceptible. This design choice allows users to immerse themselves in video content without distraction. Additionally, the phone's adaptive color display adjusts to the ambient light, reducing eye strain and providing a more comfortable viewing experience. The E4 AMOLED screen is not only visually appealing but also efficient, consuming 15% less power than previous models. The three-finger 360Hz touch sampling rate ensures responsive multi-finger control, making interactions feel seamless. In real-world usage, the K40's display shines. Watching videos on the phone is a pleasure, with colors popping and blacks being deep and true. The screen's performance in various lighting conditions is also commendable, providing a consistent viewing experience. While some may have reservations about the phone's design choices, such as the plastic frame and wide bezels, the K40's display is undoubtedly a highlight of the device. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi K40's E4 AMOLED screen delivers an excellent visual experience, making it a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality smartphone display in this price segment.
Camera
The camera on the Xiaomi Redmi K40 is an area where the phone doesn't quite live up to expectations. The primary camera uses the Imx 582 sensor, which was introduced last year, but lacks optical stabilization. The ultra-wide angle sensor is 8 megapixels and there's a 5 megapixel telephoto macro lens. In daylight conditions, the K40's primary camera underexposes samples, resulting in loss of detail in dark areas and colors that are not vibrant enough. Resolution-wise, the K40 also falls short. While it manages to control purple fringing slightly better than its predecessor, it loses out in all-daytime scenes. However, when it comes to night scenes, the K40's exposure returns to normal, although highlights still spill over. Noise is significantly reduced compared to the Redmi K30, and there's more detail in dark areas. The difference is even more pronounced with night mode enabled. The ultra-wide lenses on both phones perform similarly in daylight conditions, but at night, the K40 manages to outdo its predecessor across the board, except for highlight suppression which can be a bit inconsistent. When using night mode, the gap widens further. One area where the K40 excels is macro photography. The use of a separate special lens allows for much closer focus distances than the Redmi K30, resulting in impressive shots. In terms of video recording, the K40's main camera only supports 4K at 30fps and lacks 6K resolution, which might be a letdown for some users. Both phones can record up to 1080p at 30fps from their ultra-wide cameras.
Price and Value
In today's competitive smartphone market, it's refreshing to see a device that offers great value for its price. The Xiaomi Redmi K40 is one such phone that checks all the right boxes without breaking the bank. Priced around [$X], the Redmi K40 is an excellent option for those looking for a high-performance phone with impressive features. The device boasts a Snapdragon 870 chip, which provides seamless performance and efficient battery life. The E4 screen is another highlight of this phone, offering vibrant colors, sharp details, and an adaptive color display that adjusts to the ambient light. While the camera performance may not be exceptional in bright lighting conditions, the Redmi K40 shines in low-light scenarios. The ultra-wide lens also produces impressive results, especially with night mode activated. Additionally, the macro shooting feature is a welcome addition, providing excellent close-up shots. One of the standout features of the Redmi K40 is its battery life. Despite the lack of 6k video recording and support for only 30fps at 4k resolution, the phone's optimized battery performance ensures that it lasts throughout the day. The device also charges quickly, reaching 69% in just half an hour with a 33-watt charger. Overall, the Redmi K40 offers exceptional value for its price. It may not be perfect, but its impressive screen, efficient performance, and optimized battery life make it an excellent choice for those on a budget. If you're looking for a phone that won't break the bank but still delivers in terms of features and performance, the Redmi K40 is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi K40 is the latest addition to the smartphone market, boasting the Snapdragon 870 chip that we previously reviewed in the Motorola Edge S. While the K40's performance is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, it still falls short of expectations. In benchmark tests, the K40 scores consistently lower than the Edge S, with an Antutu score of 662 201, 3Dmark score of 4092, and Geekbench 5 single-core test of 1034. However, when it comes to sustained performance output in the Genshin Impact stress test, the K40 performs admirably, running at 50.45 fps – slightly higher than the Edge S. The phone's gaming performance is also commendable, with a Bright Ridge 20-minute test resulting in an average of 42 fps. However, there were instances where the frame rate dropped to around 20 frames per second after down throttling, indicating some optimization issues. One area where the K40 excels is in targeted optimizations for games specifically designed for the Redmi model. In these cases, the phone offers a better gaming experience than the Edge S, with temperatures never exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. While the K40's performance is not exceptional, it is still a notable improvement over its predecessors. However, given the competitive smartphone market, this may not be enough to set the phone apart from its rivals. Overall, the K40's performance is satisfactory but not outstanding – a solid effort that falls short of excellence.