The Alcatel Flash and BLU Studio Mega 2019 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different approaches to processing power. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if not flashy, smartphone experience, the BLU Studio Mega 2019 edges out the Alcatel Flash. Its newer Cortex-A55 CPU architecture provides a noticeable efficiency and performance boost over the older Cortex-A7 in the Flash, translating to a smoother user experience despite a similar clock speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.1 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm (5.99 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 161.4 x 78 x 9.6 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6592M (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-450MP4 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 525 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 20 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate/white | Black |
| Models | 6042D | - |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
alcatel Flash
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Established brand recognition (Alcatel)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Older Cortex-A7 CPU architecture
- Likely lower performance and efficiency
- Limited software support
BLU Studio Mega 2019
- More efficient Cortex-A55 CPU architecture
- Smoother user experience for everyday tasks
- Potentially better battery life
- BLU brand may be less familiar to some users
- Build quality may be slightly lower
- Software updates may be infrequent
Display Comparison
Display specifications are unavailable for both devices. However, given their price points, it's safe to assume both utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p resolution. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. Users should expect a basic viewing experience on both devices, prioritizing functionality over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both phones. It's highly probable both devices feature a basic rear camera setup with a primary sensor and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, image processing capabilities are likely limited on both, resulting in average image quality in good lighting conditions and poor performance in low light. Users shouldn't expect flagship-level camera performance from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The Alcatel Flash utilizes the Mediatek MT6592M with an octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This is an older architecture, known for its power consumption relative to performance. The BLU Studio Mega 2019 features an octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU. The Cortex-A55 is a significantly more efficient design, offering better performance per watt. While the clock speed is slightly higher on the BLU device, the architectural improvement is the key factor. This translates to better multitasking and smoother app launches on the BLU Studio Mega 2019, especially with similar RAM configurations (assumed to be 2GB-3GB based on market segment).
Battery Life
Battery capacity is unknown for both devices. Given the power efficiency of the Cortex-A55 in the BLU Studio Mega 2019, it's likely to offer slightly better battery life than the Alcatel Flash, even with a similar battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both devices likely support standard 5W charging, resulting in relatively slow charging times. Users should expect to charge these devices overnight for optimal usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel Flash if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and are comfortable with potentially slower performance. Buy the BLU Studio Mega 2019 if you prefer a more responsive experience for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and occasional light gaming, and value a more modern CPU architecture for improved efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the BLU Studio Mega 2019 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
The Cortex-A55 CPU in the BLU Studio Mega 2019 is better suited for running social media apps than the older Cortex-A7 in the Alcatel Flash. While not a high-end experience, you should expect smoother scrolling and faster loading times within these apps on the BLU device.
❓ Is either phone likely to receive Android updates?
Neither the Alcatel Flash nor the BLU Studio Mega 2019 are likely to receive significant Android updates. Both are entry-level devices, and manufacturers typically prioritize updates for their higher-end models. Expect limited or no software support beyond the initial Android version they ship with.
❓ Can I play basic games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds on either of these phones?
Yes, both phones should be capable of running less demanding games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds. However, don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in more graphically intensive games. The BLU Studio Mega 2019 will likely offer a slightly better gaming experience due to its more efficient CPU.
