Coolpad Cool 40i review
The Cool 40i suits users who spend most of their time on social media, messaging, and browsing and can tolerate modest performance in exchange for a full day of battery life and a smooth display. Anyone who games regularly, juggles many apps, or needs fast charging should look elsewhere—even at this price point, rivals offer noticeably faster processors and charging speeds.
This review is based on Coolpad’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Coolpad Cool 40i, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Cool 40i is a straightforward budget phone that prioritizes screen smoothness and a full day of battery life over raw power or camera versatility. It's a solid pick for light users who want messaging, social media, and browsing without breaking the bank, but it has no surprises and feels like exactly what 100 EUR buys you in late 2024.
Design & build
At 202 grams and 8.3mm thick, the Cool 40i sits in the middle ground for its screen size. It's not light, and it's not particularly svelte, but it feels present in the hand without being unwieldy. The plastic-and-metal construction is typical for the price tier, with nothing surprising in durability or feel. Dual nano-SIM support and a dedicated microSD slot are practical touches that show Coolpad understands what budget-conscious buyers actually need. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is adequately responsive for a phone at this cost.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD with 90Hz refresh is the screen's real story. At 269 ppi density, it's noticeably softer than rivals offering 1080p at similar prices—text edges lack the crispness you'd see on a FHD panel, and reading fine print feels slightly more strain-prone. But the 90Hz refresh rate smooths scrolling and swiping in a way that genuinely improves everyday feel, and for messaging and social media, most users won't find the pixel density objectionable in practice. The 80.8% screen-to-body ratio is standard. Color and brightness are fine for indoor use; outdoor visibility is adequate but not remarkable.
Performance
The Helio G37 is entry-level, and there's no point pretending otherwise. It handles WhatsApp, Instagram, web browsing, and light games like PUBG Mobile at playable but not smooth frame rates. Multitasking—switching between several apps or having many running in the background—will cause noticeable lag and stuttering. Anything demanding, from mobile photography apps with heavy filters to resource-heavy games, will either slow down or struggle to load. With only 4GB or 6GB RAM depending on the variant, the 6GB model offers a real-world advantage for keeping apps in memory, but neither is generous by 2024 standards. This chipset is simply not designed for power users.
Software
Android 14 with CoolOS is the baseline, and Coolpad's skin adds little of substance. The phone should launch reasonably responsive out of the box, but long-term software support is unclear—budget phones from less-established brands rarely receive more than one or two years of major updates. Security patches are a bigger concern; expect sporadic delivery at best. For a phone at this price, software is functional rather than forward-looking.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and phase-detect autofocus is the unexpected bright spot. Daytime photos are sharp and well-detailed, with good color balance and fast focus. Close-ups are handled capably, and the LED flash provides reasonable fill in low light. However, there's no ultra-wide lens, no telephoto, no macro lens—just a single rear shooter. Night photography is passable but noticeably noisier than phones with dedicated night mode. The 8MP front camera is basic but sufficient for video calls. Video maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, which is competent but not impressive. For a 100-euro phone, the main camera is genuinely useful; the lack of zoom or versatility is the expected trade-off.
Battery & charging
The 4500mAh cell paired with a 720p screen and modest chipset stretches to a full day on moderate use—messaging, social media, some browsing. Heavy use will drain it sooner; heavy gaming or streaming will cut that to an afternoon. Where the battery falters is charging speed. Ten watts is laughably slow by 2024 standards; rivals at this price routinely offer 30W or 45W. Expect roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from empty to full, which means you cannot quickly top up before leaving the house. This is the phone's most frustrating omission.
Value & verdict
At about 100 EUR, the Cool 40i occupies a specific and legitimate niche: the lightest possible entry to modern Android without expecting performance or camera power. It delivers what it promises—a phone that scrolls smoothly, lasts a day, and takes decent photos in daylight. The dedicated microSD slot and storage options are genuine perks that bigger brands have abandoned. The Helio G37 and 10W charging are real limitations that matter if you do anything beyond light daily tasks. This is not a phone that reinvents budget Android; it's a phone that understands its lane and stays in it. Whether that appeals depends entirely on your needs and whether you can live with slow charging and modest performance.
Verdict
The Cool 40i suits users who spend most of their time on social media, messaging, and browsing and can tolerate modest performance in exchange for a full day of battery life and a smooth display. Anyone who games regularly, juggles many apps, or needs fast charging should look elsewhere—even at this price point, rivals offer noticeably faster processors and charging speeds.
- 90Hz display keeps scrolling smooth even on modest hardware, a genuine quality-of-life gain at this price
- 50MP main camera with PDAF captures sharp daytime shots and close-ups without artificial smoothing
- Dedicated microSD slot and 256GB variant offer storage flexibility rarely seen at this price point
- All-day battery life on moderate use thanks to the 720p screen and efficient chipset
- 10W charging takes roughly 2.5 hours from empty, which is painfully slow by 2024 standards even for budget phones
- 269 ppi display density means text and icons look noticeably soft compared to phones at the same price with 1080p panels
- Helio G37 struggles visibly with multitasking and any demanding game—this is entry-level performance, not mid-range
Coolpad Cool 40i Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, December |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 14, CoolOS |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 77 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Coolpad Cool 40i FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Cool 40i support 5G?
No. The Cool 40i tops out at GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Cool 40i use?
The Cool 40i runs on the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm).
What display does the Cool 40i have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the Cool 40i battery?
The Cool 40i has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the Cool 40i have NFC?
Yes, the Cool 40i has NFC.
Does the Cool 40i support a microSD card?
Yes, the Cool 40i supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Cool 40i have a headphone jack?
No, the Cool 40i does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Cool 40i isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Cool 30i
Coolpad Cool 60
Coolpad Cool 50
CP12 Neo
Galaxy M06 5G
