BLU G80 vs BLU C5L 2020: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Choices

The BLU G80 and C5L 2020 represent two ends of BLU’s budget smartphone spectrum. The C5L 2020 is an ultra-affordable option, while the G80 aims to offer a more substantial performance boost with its Mediatek Helio P23 chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the BLU G80 is the superior choice. Its octa-core Helio P23 processor provides a significantly more responsive experience than the C5L 2020’s quad-core Cortex-A53, making it better suited for multitasking and moderately demanding apps. While the C5L 2020 is cheaper, the performance trade-off is substantial.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU C5L 2020 BLU G80
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 281, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, October. Released 2020, October2020, June 24. Released 2020, June 24
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions144 x 72.3 x 11.2 mm (5.67 x 2.85 x 0.44 in)163.9 x 75.5 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Micro-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight150 g (5.29 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset-Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm)
GPUMali-T820Mali-G71 MP2
OSAndroid 10 (Go edition)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal16GB 1GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP-
Triple-13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.9
Video720p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP4.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 2200 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsRed, Blue, PastelBlack, Green
PriceAbout 40 EURAbout 90 EUR

BLU C5L 2020

  • Lowest possible price point
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful processor

  • Very slow performance
  • Limited multitasking capabilities
  • Poor camera quality

BLU G80

  • Significantly faster performance
  • Better multitasking capabilities
  • 10W wired charging

  • Higher price than the C5L 2020
  • Battery life may be slightly shorter than C5L 2020
  • Camera quality still limited by sensor

Display Comparison

Neither BLU provides detailed display specifications. Given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The G80’s more powerful chipset *could* support a slightly higher refresh rate, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this market segment. Color accuracy is likely to be standard, prioritizing power efficiency over color fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable for either device. However, given the market segment, expectations should be tempered. Both likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. The G80’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio P23 chipset *could* result in slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions, but the sensor quality will be the primary limiting factor. We anticipate both phones will struggle with detailed images and dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset. The BLU C5L 2020’s quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 processor is a basic design, suitable for minimal tasks. The BLU G80’s Mediatek Helio P23, built on a 16nm process, features an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). This means the G80 has double the cores, and a faster clock speed on half of them, resulting in significantly improved multitasking and app launch times. The 16nm process also contributes to better power efficiency compared to an unknown process node for the C5L 2020. While both use Cortex-A53 cores, the G80’s architecture is far more capable.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the BLU G80’s 10W wired charging is a notable feature, suggesting a slightly larger battery to justify the inclusion of even basic fast charging. The C5L 2020 likely charges at a slower rate. The Helio P23’s 16nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting a smaller battery capacity on the G80 compared to the C5L 2020.

Buying Guide

Buy the BLU C5L 2020 if you need the absolute cheapest smartphone possible for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. It’s ideal for a first phone for a child or as a temporary backup device. Buy the BLU G80 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, can handle slightly more demanding apps, and want a phone that will feel more responsive over time. It’s a better all-around choice for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the BLU G80 be able to run popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Helio P23 chipset in the BLU G80 is capable of running most popular social media apps without significant lag. While it won’t offer a high-end experience, it will provide a much smoother experience than the BLU C5L 2020, which may struggle with these apps.
❓ Is the BLU G80 a good choice for mobile gaming?
The BLU G80 is not ideal for demanding mobile games. While it can handle less graphically intensive games, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings for smoother gameplay. The Helio P23 is an entry-level gaming chipset, and the C5L 2020 is not suitable for gaming at all.
❓ How much storage does each phone have, and can it be expanded?
Storage capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, budget smartphones typically include microSD card slots for expandable storage. It's highly likely both the BLU G80 and C5L 2020 support microSD cards, allowing you to increase storage capacity.