Smartphone
Now Reading
Redmi K40 Series arrives from 1999 CNY with 120Hz AMOLED displays
0

Redmi K40 Series arrives from 1999 CNY with 120Hz AMOLED displays

by Vyncent ChanFebruary 26, 2021
What's your reaction?
Me Gusta
0%
WOW
100%
Potato
0%
Sad Reacc
0%
Angery
0%

Just after the Xiaomi Mi 11 was officially announced in the Malaysia, the Redmi K40 series was announced in China. The Redmi K40 series comprises of the Redmi K40, Redmi K40 Pro and Redmi K40 Pro+. With prices starting from 1999 CNY (~RM1251), the Redmi K40 series will once again arrive as flagship killers touting the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets.

Redmi K40 Pro colors

What’s the same in the Redmi K40 Series

All three variants pack the same flat 6.67″ 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED panels based on the latest Samsung E4 material, which promises greater efficiency than past generations. It boasts a peak brightness of 1300 nits, with a max brightness of 900 nits. It is an 8-bit panel, unlike the Mi 11’s 10-bit one, but there’s still True Tone and HDR10+ support here. Touch response is a lofty 360Hz.

Redmi K40 Pro+ display

The Redmi K40 series also marks the brand’s departure from the popup camera design, instead adopting a centered punch hole for the 20MP selfie camera, not unlike the Redmi Note 9 series. Redmi did put effort into making the hole as tiny as possible at just 2.76mm in diameter to prevent it from affecting your view of the sweet display.

This change also allowed Redmi to boast of an IP53 rating for the Redmi K40 Pro duo. The Redmi K40 only boasts of splash resistance, but given their similar construction, it is possible that Redmi just decided to save on the cost of getting the Redmi K40 tested to get an official IP rating. The Redmi K40 devices are clad in Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides.

Redmi K40 Pro audio

Meanwhile for audio, the Redmi K40 series is equipped with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers. Unfortunately, the headphone jack has been dropped from the Redmi K40 series. The writings were on the wall already, as the Redmi K30 Ultra marked the first Redmi flagship to not sport a 3.5mm audio jack.

Interestingly, Redmi decided against upgrading the charging capabilities of the Redmi K40 series, with all three of the Redmi K40 series only supporting up to 33W fast charging. The capacity has been downgraded to 4520mAh, versus the Redmi K30 Pro‘s 4700mAh battery. The upside is that the device is now both thinner and lighter than its predecessor, measuring just 7.8mm thin and tipping the scales at 196g.

What’s Different in the Redmi K40 Series

Redmi K40 Pro+ camera

The main difference between the Redmi K40, Redmi K40 Pro and Redmi K40 Pro+ is their main camera. The Redmi K40 packs a 48MP Sony IMX582 behind a f/1.79 lens, while the Redmi K40 Pro and Redmi K40 Pro+ tout 64MP f/1.89 and 108MP f/1.75 main cameras, respectively. The latter sports the the Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor, which boasts impressive 9-in-1 pixel binning to produce amazing 12MP shots.

Redmi K40 Pro+ 108mp camera

All three Redmi K40 series sport the same triple-camera setup, with a secondary 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera and the same 5MP f/2.4 macro camera from the Redmi K30 Pro. The Redmi K30 Pro touted a better 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, so I have no idea why did Redmi decide that downgrading the ultra-wide shooter is a good idea.

The other difference is the chipset under the hood. The Redmi K40 is the only model to arrive with a Snapdragon 870, while the Redmi K40 Pro and Redmi K40 Pro+ both tout the Snapdragon 888 under the hood. Thanks to the newer chipset, the Redmi K40 Pro duo also comes with WiFi 6E.

Redmi K40 Series Specs and Pricing

Redmi K40 Redmi K40 Pro Redmi K40 Pro+
Chipset Snapdragon 870, octa-core @ up to 3.2GHz
7nm FinFET
Snapdragon 888, octa-core @ up to 2.84GHz
7nm FinFET
RAM Up to 12GB LPDDR5
Storage Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
Display 6.67″ FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED DotDisplay
1300 nit peak brightness, True Tone, 8-bit, HDR10+, MEMC
Rear Camera 48MP f/1.79, Sony IMX582
8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide
5MP telephoto macro
Up to 4K30 video recording
64MP f/1.89
8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide
5MP telephoto camera
Up to 4K60/8K30 video recording
108MP f/1.75, Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor
8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide
5MP telephoto camera
Up to 4K60/8K30 video recording
Selfie Camera 20MP selfie camera
Battery 4520mAh Li-ion battery
33W fast charging
USB-PD 3.0 / QuickCharge 3+
Dimensions 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm
Weight 196g
Price 6GB+128GB: 1999 CNY (~RM1251)
8GB+128GB: 2199 CNY (~RM1376)
8GB+256GB: 2499 CNY (~RM1564)
12GB+256GB: 2699 CNY (~RM1689)
6GB+128GB: 2799 CNY (~RM1752)
8GB+128GB: 2999 CNY (~RM1877)
8GB+256GB: 3299 CNY (~RM2065)
12GB+256GB: 3699 CNY (~RM2315)

Redmi K40 Pro Damascus Steel

The Redmi K40 (12GB+256GB) variant will be available for just 2499 CNY (~RM1564) as part of a introductory promotion. The Redmi K40 and Redmi K40 Pro are available for pre-order now with sales to commence on 4th March, while the Redmi K40 Pro+ will only be offered starting late March. The Redmi K40 Pro and K40 Pro+ will also be offered with a special finish inspired by Damascus steel, while the Redmi K40 doesn’t have the option, and only comes with a standard black finish.

[UPDATE 3pm 26/2/2021]: Redmi K40 to be released under the POCO brand globally

Pokdepinion: I can’t wait to see what will the Redmi K40 series be renamed to when it arrives in Malaysia.

About The Author
Vyncent Chan
Technology enthusiast, casual gamer, pharmacy graduate. Strongly opposes proprietary standards and always on the look out for incredible bang-for-buck.

Leave a Response