A few days ago, the Chinese manufacturer Redmi released its first ever gaming smartphone. Game version Redmi K40 is a device that comes with several features that make it very attractive. According to Lu Weibing, CEO of the Redmi brand, the target sales of the device are 1,7 million units.
This is about the same number of gaming smartphones that were sold in China last year. However, what features of this smartphone will give it such sales?
We look at five reasons to buy the gaming version of the Redmi K40.
The design of the gaming version of the Redmi K40 is different
The gaming version of Redmi K40 is made in the style of electronic sports. All the elements on the rear frosted glass are arranged horizontally, and the central strip reads “Fighting”. Also, the binocular camera module has two words including Freeze and Fastest. This shows that the device is quite radical in terms of heat dissipation and performance.
How can a gaming phone not have RGB LED strips? There are two curved light bars on either side of the three-camera module. These indicators blink during charging, incoming messages and games. There's a very cute little design element underneath the triple-camera module. It's a lightning-shaped LED flash, the first of its kind in the industry.
The frame of this device is perhaps the most unique aspect of this smartphone. The rest of the Redmi K40 series comes with a plastic frame. However, the gaming version of the Redmi K40 comes with a metal frame. There is a shoulder button on the left side that can be activated by flipping a mechanical switch. In addition, the left side also houses the fingerprint sensor of this device.
For gaming devices, the physical shoulder button is actually more convenient to use. With the help of the X-axis linear motor, it can bring new sensations to the game. In addition, there is a microphone on the top, bottom and right sides of the frame. In addition, the smartphone comes with 8 antennas, so the connection is always strong, regardless of how you hold the device.
The gaming version of the Redmi K40 also comes with the JBL logo on the frame, which shows the guarantee of sound quality. The company has partnered with JBL to customize the dual stereo speakers.
Powerful processor – Dimensity 1200 SoC
This device comes with MediaTek's latest 6nm flagship processor, the Dimensity 1200. Although a gaming device with MediaTek processors is not common, the Dimensity 1200 is quite strong. It even matches the 7nm Snapdragon 870 chip found in some gaming smartphones.
The Dimensity 1200 processor has the latest architecture with three clusters 1 + 3 + 4, and the super high frequency of the core reaches 3,0 GHz. This frequency is relevant for instant performance and complex calculations. A78 cores at 2,6 GHz are used for long-term operation and high-performance continuous operation. In addition, four energy-efficient A55 cores clocked at 2,0GHz make daily battery use more energy-efficient.
In the GeekBench 5 Dimensity database The 1200 scores 830 and 2994 in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. This is basically the same performance as the Snapdragon 870 SoC. GeekBench looks at processor performance. 3DMark Wild Life emphasizes GPU performance. The Dimensity 1200 scored 4106, which is basically similar to the Snapdragon 865.
In AnTuTu V9, which shows comprehensive performance, the gaming version of the Redmi K40 scores 696321 points. This is more than the Snapdragon 865+ SoC, but slightly inferior to the Snapdragon 870. It seems that in terms of theoretical performance, The Dimensity 1200 sits between the Snapdragon 865+ and the Snapdragon 870. Also, the power consumption of the Dimensity 1200 under heavy load is basically similar to that of the Snapdragon 870. The power consumption of the device is around 4-5 milliwatts.
The camera offers more than what a gaming phone should have
Gaming smartphones are designed for playing games and do not put much emphasis on the camera. They focus on things like design, battery, heat dissipation – all of these are in the gaming version of the Redmi K40. However, this smartphone also comes with a triple rear camera, which is unusual for a gaming smartphone. This triple camera setup includes a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
The main camera has a single pixel of 0,7 μm and supports four-in-one pixel technology. Image quality during the day is acceptable, and colors are more pleasant. Ultra-wide distortion control is still good, but colors are relatively boring.
In night scene mode, thanks to the four-in-one pixel technology, the image quality of the main camera is still good, but the ultra-wide angle noise is more. The macro lens allows you to shoot from a close distance of about 4 cm.
Software and pricing
Without a doubt, MIUI 12 is quite rich shell, but its optimization is not really satisfactory. However, MIUI 12.5 is an update of MIUI 12 and fixes most of its shortcomings. The MIUI 12.5 stable version with a lot of performance optimizations is the pre-installed system of the gaming version of Redmi K40.
The smoothness of the user interface is greatly improved after the update, and app loading and background switching are smoother. MIUI official claims that MIUI 12.5 comes with power consumption control and performance optimization. This system reduces overall energy consumption by 40%.
In terms of pricing, the gaming version of the Redmi K40 is a “gift”. Most gaming smartphones on the market never sell for less than $500. Such as Asus Rog Phone 5, Black Shark 4, Nubia Red Magic and many others are quite expensive. However, the gaming version of the Redmi K40 comes with a starting price of 1999 yuan ($309). This is for version 6 GB + 128 GB. 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 128GB and 12GB + 256GB retail for 2199 yuan (US$340), 2399 yuan (US$371), 2399 yuan (US$371) and 2699 yuan (US$417) respectively.
Even with an active discount, it's very difficult to find a gaming smartphone that sells for less than $500. This makes the gaming version of the Redmi K40 very attractive.
The gaming version of the Redmi K40 is thin and light compared to the competition
Gaming devices have some features that significantly increase their weight and thickness. For example, gaming smartphones require a huge battery. This increases the thickness and weight of the device. What about the upper heat dissipation system? This will definitely increase the weight of the smartphone. Despite these features, the gaming version of the Redmi K40 still remains "thin and light".
Consider two devices from Asus and Lenovo that were released a few days before the gaming version of the Redmi K40. The Asus Rog Phone 5 comes in at 10,29mm thick and weighs 238g. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is 9,9mm thick and weighs 259g. What about the gaming version of the Redmi K40? This smartphone is only 8,3 mm thick and weighs only 205 g. This thickness and weight is comparable to many ordinary non-gaming smartphones.
