Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The BLU C5 Max and ZTE Blade L8 are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade L8 edges out the BLU C5 Max due to its slightly more modern chipset and potentially better software support. While both offer basic functionality, the Blade L8's Unisoc SC7731E provides a marginal performance advantage and a more current platform.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January | 2019, April. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.5 x 9.8 mm (6.27 x 3.01 x 0.39 in) | 137.4 x 67.5 x 10.5 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC7731E (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-T820 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 2700 mAh | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Green, Bronze | Black, Blue |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 60 EUR |
BLU C5 Max
- Very affordable
- Basic functionality for calls and texts
- Decent battery life (likely)
- Outdated chipset
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- Potentially limited software updates
ZTE Blade L8
- Slightly more modern chipset
- Potentially better software support
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (likely)
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- Not a flagship device
- May still receive limited updates
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar, basic LCD displays, probably around 6.0-6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. The ZTE Blade L8 *might* have a slightly better panel, but it's unlikely to be a significant difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely to be similar – expect basic 8-13MP main cameras and potentially a low-resolution front-facing camera on both devices. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions but will suffer in low light. The ZTE Blade L8 *might* have slightly better image processing due to its newer chipset.
Performance
The Unisoc SC7731E in the ZTE Blade L8, while still a quad-core processor, is generally considered a more modern and efficient chipset than the Cortex-A7 found in the BLU C5 Max. This translates to slightly smoother multitasking and app loading times on the Blade L8. Both will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000mAh range. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but expect a full day of moderate use from either device. Neither phone is likely to offer fast charging.
Buying Guide
The BLU C5 Max is ideal for users needing a very basic phone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The ZTE Blade L8 is a better choice for those wanting slightly better performance, a more modern chipset, and potentially longer software updates, even if the difference is subtle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for gaming. Both have limited processing power and graphics capabilities. Simple, less demanding games might be playable, but don't expect a smooth experience.
❓ How long will the software updates be for each phone?
Software updates are likely to be limited for both devices. The ZTE Blade L8 *might* receive slightly longer support due to its more modern chipset, but don't expect major Android version upgrades.
