Coolpad Cool 40i Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Coolpad Cool 40i:
Network and Connectivity
- Technology: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
- NFC: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0
Launch
- Announced: December 2024
- Status: Released in December 2024
Body
- Dimensions: 166.2 x 77 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)
- Weight: 202 g (7.13 oz)
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Display
- Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Size: 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm² (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Platform
- OS: Android 14, CoolOS
- Chipset: Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
- GPU: PowerVR GE8320
Memory
- Internal Storage: 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
- Card Slot: microSDXC (dedicated slot)
- Storage Type: eMMC 5.1
Camera
Main Camera:
- Dual:
- 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
- 0.3 MP (depth)
- Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
- Video: 1080p@30fps
- Dual:
Selfie Camera:
- 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide)
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Sound
- Loudspeakers: Yes
- 3.5mm Jack: Unspecified
Battery
- Type: 4500 mAh
- Charging: 10W wired
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Phantom Black, Glacier Blue, Lite Pink, Ivory White
- Price: Around 100 EUR
Sensors
- Fingerprint: Side-mounted
- Other Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
The Coolpad Cool 40i is a budget smartphone that aims to offer basic features and solid performance at an affordable price. Launched in 2023, the Cool 40i is designed for users who want a reliable and simple smartphone that can be used for basic tasks such as calling, messaging, social media, and light multimedia usage. It doesn't have cutting-edge specifications or premium features, but it offers a solid user experience for budget-conscious users.
Design and Construction :
Design and Construction :
The Coolpad Cool 40i features a simple yet practical design that prioritizes durability and ease of use over eye-catching aesthetics. The phone's body is made of plastic, which is standard for a smartphone in this price range, but it doesn't feel too cheap or flimsy. The back has a matte finish that makes fingerprints less noticeable and gives it a clean, minimalist look. The phone's frame is rounded, providing a comfortable grip even when used for long periods of time.
On the front, it has a 6.52-inch HD+ IPS display that offers decent color reproduction and good brightness levels for a phone in this price range. The bezels around the screen are noticeable but not too thick, making the most of the screen real estate for a better viewing experience. The 1600 x 720 pixel resolution is not the sharpest but is good enough for everyday tasks like browsing the internet and using social media. The phone is relatively light, weighing just 190g, making it easy to hold and comfortable to use for long periods of time. Although it doesn't feel as premium as more expensive smartphones, the build quality of the Cool 40i is solid enough for a budget device.
Screen:
The Coolpad Cool 40i's 6.52-inch HD+ IPS LCD display is perfect for an affordable phone. The screen has good viewing angles and brightness that works well in typical indoor lighting conditions. With a pixel density of around 269 PPI, it's not the sharpest display on the market, but it provides enough clarity for tasks like reading, scrolling through social media, and watching videos. The screen also has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for budget smartphones. This allows for smooth performance of everyday tasks, but it's not as smooth as the higher refresh rates found on premium smartphones. A teardrop-shaped notch at the top houses the front-facing camera, and the phone offers enough color and contrast to provide a decent viewing experience for casual media viewing.
For those who value screen clarity and vibrant colors, the Cool 40i may not be your first choice. But for price-conscious users, the display is more than enough for most everyday tasks.
For those who value screen clarity and vibrant colors, the Cool 40i may not be your first choice. But for price-conscious users, the display is more than enough for most everyday tasks.
Performance :
Inside the Coolpad Cool 40i is the Unisoc T606 chipset, a budget processor designed for basic smartphone use. This chipset is paired with 4GB of RAM, allowing the phone to handle standard apps and tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, and social media. However, it is important to note that the Cool 40i is not meant for demanding games or resource-intensive applications. If you enjoy playing mobile games or using multiple powerful apps simultaneously, this phone may struggle.
The performance of this phone is acceptable for basic usage and can handle light multitasking, but users should not expect smooth performance when performing demanding tasks or heavy games. The 64GB of built-in memory is also standard for a budget smartphone and should be enough to store apps, photos, and some videos. For users who need more storage, the device has a microSD card slot that can be expanded up to 512GB, which is a great feature that provides flexibility for users who need large amounts of storage.
Inside the Coolpad Cool 40i is the Unisoc T606 chipset, a budget processor designed for basic smartphone use. This chipset is paired with 4GB of RAM, allowing the phone to handle standard apps and tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, and social media. However, it is important to note that the Cool 40i is not meant for demanding games or resource-intensive applications. If you enjoy playing mobile games or using multiple powerful apps simultaneously, this phone may struggle.
The performance of this phone is acceptable for basic usage and can handle light multitasking, but users should not expect smooth performance when performing demanding tasks or heavy games. The 64GB of built-in memory is also standard for a budget smartphone and should be enough to store apps, photos, and some videos. For users who need more storage, the device has a microSD card slot that can be expanded up to 512GB, which is a great feature that provides flexibility for users who need large amounts of storage.
Software :
The Coolpad Cool 40i runs on Android 12 (Go Edition), a lightweight version of Android optimized for low-end devices. Android Go edition is designed to run efficiently on smartphones with less RAM and processing power, providing a smoother experience despite hardware limitations. The UI is clean and Coolpad hasn't cluttered it with excessive bloatware or unnecessary apps, which is a relief for users who prefer a closer to the original Android experience.
The phone comes with a few pre-installed apps, including Coolpad's own utility apps, but they're not intrusive. With Android Go, key Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube are optimized for low-resource devices, resulting in better performance and faster load times. While it doesn't offer as many customization options as other more expensive devices, the software is functional and easy to navigate, making it a good choice for smartphone beginners or those who aren't interested in advanced features.
Camera system :
The Coolpad Cool 40i comes with a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, which are basic sensors for casual photography and video calling. The rear camera can take decent photos in bright lighting, capturing acceptable details and color reproduction. But in low-light environments, as is typical of budget smartphones, the camera struggles to produce a clear, noise-free image.
The 13MP main camera is fine for simple tasks like taking photos of landscapes, friends, and everyday objects, but it's not suitable for professional photography. The camera app includes basic features like AI scene detection, portrait mode, and HDR, but the results aren't always consistent or on par with more expensive devices.
The 5MP front camera is good for video calls and selfies in well-lit environments. It might not take the sharpest photos, but it's good enough for occasional use. Like the rear camera, the front camera's performance drops in low light, so it's best used in well-lit environments.
Battery Life :
The Coolpad Cool 40i comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is one of the device's strengths. Thanks to the large battery capacity, you can get more than a full day of moderate usage on a single charge. Whether you're browsing the web, using social media, or watching videos, the Cool 40i's battery is more than enough for normal, everyday use. The phone supports 10W charging, which isn't fast by modern standards, but it's enough to charge overnight.
The device's basic specs mean that it consumes relatively low power, so you can expect a solid 10-12 hours of screen time depending on usage. For users who care most about battery life, the Cool 40i is a solid choice within the budget range.
Connectivity :
The Coolpad Cool 40i supports standard connectivity features such as 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack. This feature is rare on smartphones these days, but it's a welcome addition for users who prefer wired headphones.
The phone also has a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, which is becoming the standard even on budget smartphones.
Conclusion :
The Coolpad Cool 40i is a great choice for users who want a reliable and affordable smartphone to perform basic tasks. It's affordable, yet offers a decent display, good battery life, and satisfactory performance for everyday use. The Cool 40i may not be suitable for power users or those looking for high-end features, but it offers great value for money in the entry-level smartphone market.
