Reliving the era of affordable smartphones, we pit two contenders against each other: the BLU Dash L4 and the Huawei U8150 IDEOS. These phones represent a time when budget didn't mean sacrificing a smartphone experience entirely. Let's see how they stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BLU Dash L4 edges out the Huawei IDEOS thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and potentially better display. However, both are incredibly dated and best suited for very basic tasks or as nostalgic collectibles. Don't expect modern smartphone performance from either.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - U | HSDPA 900 / 2100 / AWS |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - L | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 1700 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, December. Released 2017, December | 2010, September. Released 2010, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 126.8 x 64.1 x 10.5 mm (4.99 x 2.52 x 0.41 in) | 104 x 54.8 x 13.5 mm (4.09 x 2.16 x 0.53 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM/Micro-SIM) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 119 g (4.20 oz) | 102.1 g (3.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~42.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz | 528 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6570 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Mali-400 | No |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 512MB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | CIF |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 550 h (3G) | Up to 220 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 1700 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Red | Black body / blue, red, yellow backpanels |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 60 EUR |
BLU Dash L4
- Slightly faster processor
- Potentially better display
- More modern chipset (though still dated)
- Very limited storage
- Outdated software
- Poor camera quality
- Low resolution display
Huawei U8150 IDEOS
- Early Android experience
- Compact size
- Simple and easy to use
- Very slow processor
- Low resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, low-resolution displays typical of their time. The BLU Dash L4 likely has a slightly better panel, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though both will appear dated by modern standards. Expect resolutions around 480x800 pixels on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is expected to be quite poor by today's standards. The Huawei IDEOS likely has a slightly better camera (3.2MP vs potentially 2MP on the Dash L4), but image quality will be limited by sensor size and processing capabilities. Don't expect detailed or vibrant photos from either.
Performance
The BLU Dash L4's dual-core 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6570 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Huawei IDEOS's 528 MHz single-core ARM 11 Snapdragon S1. While neither is fast, the Dash L4 will handle basic apps and navigation slightly better. Expect lag and slow loading times on both.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely similar on both devices, around 1200-1500 mAh. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but expect a full day of light use at most. The slightly more efficient processor in the BLU Dash L4 might give it a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The BLU Dash L4 might appeal to someone needing a basic phone for calls and texts, or a collector of older devices. The Huawei U8150 IDEOS is for those seeking a piece of early Android history or a very simple, ultra-budget option. Neither is recommended for general daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with significant limitations. They can handle basic calls and texts, but modern apps and internet browsing will be slow and frustrating. Network compatibility may also be an issue depending on your carrier.
❓ Can I update the software on either of these phones?
Highly unlikely. Both phones are running very old versions of Android and no longer receive software updates. Security vulnerabilities are a significant concern.
