Amir ZulkarnainThe ZTE Blade V40 Design, a mid-range smartphone, debuted in February 2022 and hit the shelves in January 2023. It boasts a spacious 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, it ensures smooth performance. With a substantial 6000mAh battery featuring 22.5W fast charging, the device keeps you going all day long.
Its triple rear camera setup, spearheaded by a 48MP main sensor, captures vivid moments, while the 8MP selfie camera elevates your self-portraits. Running on Android 12 with ZTE’s MyOS 12 skin, it offers a customized user experience. Supporting dual SIM, 5G, NFC, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, it prioritizes convenience and connectivity.
In the Malaysian market, the ZTE Blade V40 Design is priced at RM999 and is available in two sleek colors: Black and Blue.
Specification table
| Specs | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, expandable via microSDXC |
| Battery | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable, 22.5W fast charging |
| Display | IPS LCD, 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz |
| Camera | Rear: 48MP (wide) + 2MP (macro) + 2MP (depth) |
| Front: 8MP (wide) | |
| Connectivity | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM), 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
| Security Features | Fingerprint (side-mounted), Face Unlock |
| Operating System and Updates | Android 12, MyOS 12 |
| Additional Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama, USB Type-C |
Performance: Smooth and responsive
The ZTE Blade V40 Design packs a punch with the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, a capable mid-range processor that effortlessly handles most tasks and games without any hiccups. Backed by 6GB of RAM, multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously pose no challenge.
Moreover, the phone’s virtual RAM feature can utilize up to 2GB of internal storage as additional RAM when necessary. With a generous 128GB of internal storage, storing photos, videos, music, and apps is a breeze. Additionally, the microSDXC card slot offers expandable storage options for those needing more space.
Operating on Android 12 with ZTE’s MyOS 12 skin, the software experience is smooth and responsive. Users can enjoy customization options and an array of features including dark mode, smart home control center, privacy dashboard, app lock, game mode, and more.
ZTE promises to provide two years of software updates and security patches for the Blade V40 Design, ensuring a secure and up-to-date user experience.
Camera: Decent but not impressive
The ZTE Blade V40 Design boasts a triple rear camera setup comprising a 48MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, a 2MP macro sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, and a 2MP depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. In favorable lighting conditions, the main camera delivers decent photos with commendable details, colors, and dynamic range.
However, it struggles in low-light environments, resulting in noisy and blurry images. While the macro camera allows for close-up shots of small objects, the quality and focus accuracy may fall short. Additionally, the depth camera aids in creating a bokeh effect for portrait shots, yet the edge detection may lack precision, leading to artificial-looking background blur.
The front camera, an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, facilitates selfies and video calls. While it can capture acceptable photos in daylight, the quality diminishes significantly in low-light situations. The selfie camera features include face detection, portrait mode, beauty mode, wide selfie, and HDR.
Both the rear and front cameras can record videos up to 1080p at 30fps. However, the video quality is average, with decent stabilization but lacking sharpness and detail.
Battery: Long-lasting and fast-charging
A standout feature of the ZTE Blade V40 Design is its massive 6000mAh battery capacity, ensuring prolonged usage for over a day, even with moderate to heavy usage.
Additionally, the phone supports fast charging up to 22.5W, capable of replenishing the battery from 0% to 50% in approximately 30 minutes and reaching full charge in around 90 minutes. Moreover, the device is equipped with a USB Type-C port supporting data transfer and OTG functionality.
Design: Sleek and sturdy
The ZTE Blade V40 Design sports a sleek and robust build, crafted from a blend of plastic and glass materials. Its front is dominated by a spacious 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, featuring a small punch-hole cutout at the top center for the selfie camera. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, the display offers crisp visuals, further enhanced by a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. While boasting good brightness, contrast, and viewing angles, it may struggle to remain visible under direct sunlight.
On the back, a glossy finish and gradient color effect adorn the plastic panel, housing the triple rear camera module and dual-LED flash in the top left corner. A side-mounted fingerprint scanner, seamlessly integrated with the power button on the right side, ensures fast and reliable authentication. Additionally, the phone features a volume rocker on the left side, a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top, and a speaker grille on the bottom.
Measuring 164 x 76 x 8 mm and weighing 183.4 grams, the Blade V40 Design is relatively large and heavy. However, its curved edges and corners contribute to a comfortable grip, facilitating easy one-handed use.
Durability: Not very durable
The ZTE Blade V40 Design lacks official IP rating for water and dust resistance, indicating its limited durability against these elements. Furthermore, without Gorilla Glass protection for the display or back panel, the phone is susceptible to scratches and cracks. To safeguard against accidental drops and damages, it’s recommended to utilize a case and screen protector for added protection.
Price: Affordable and competitive
Priced at RM999 in the Malaysian market, the ZTE Blade V40 Design emerges as a budget-friendly and competitive choice within the mid-range segment.
Boasting a slew of appealing features like a spacious display with a high refresh rate, commendable performance supported by ample RAM and storage, and a long-lasting battery with fast charging capabilities, it offers excellent value for money. Additionally, its smooth software experience with regular updates adds to its allure.
However, it’s important to note some drawbacks. The phone’s camera quality is average, and it lacks water and dust resistance, which could impact its durability.
Moreover, the plastic build quality may not offer the same robustness as devices with metal or glass constructions. Nonetheless, for users seeking a well-rounded smartphone experience at an affordable price point, the ZTE Blade V40 Design remains a compelling option.
Conclusion: A good choice for budget-conscious users
The ZTE Blade V40 Design caters well to budget-conscious users seeking a mid-range smartphone capable of meeting their daily requirements without straining their wallets.
With notable strengths in its display, performance, battery life, and software, it presents a compelling option worth exploring. However, it’s not without its flaws.
The camera performance, durability, and design fall short compared to some competitors in the market. Nevertheless, while not flawless, the ZTE Blade V40 Design remains a decent choice that delivers good value for money.