BLU G40 vs. iPhone 11: A Clash of Titans (and Budgets)

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're tackling a David vs. Goliath matchup: the budget-friendly BLU G40 versus the established Apple iPhone 11. Can the G40 truly compete with Apple's powerhouse?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 11 is the clear winner overall, boasting superior performance, a vastly better camera, and a polished ecosystem. However, the BLU G40 offers incredible value for budget-conscious buyers, providing a functional smartphone experience at a fraction of the cost. It's a trade-off between features and affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G40 Apple iPhone 11
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 bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2221
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2111, A2223
Launch
Announced2022, June2019, September 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JuneAvailable. Released 2019, September 20
Body
Build-Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame (7000 series)
Dimensions163.4 x 78.8 x 10.8 mm (6.43 x 3.10 x 0.43 in)150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
Chipset-Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPU-Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal32GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
Dual13 MP 0.3 MP12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single8 MP-
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging-Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3110 mAh, non-removable (11.91 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Cyan, Teal, WhiteBlack, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red, White
Models-A2221, A2111, A2223, iPhone12,1
PriceAbout 100 EUR$ 167.50 / C$ 228.68 / £ 175.00 / € 193.32
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 4GB RAM-$ 359.95
256GB 4GB RAM-$ 469.99
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 292.79
RENEWED-£ 214.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.2dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1505:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 70dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 419453 (v7) GeekBench: 13882 (v4.4) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

BLU G40

  • Extremely affordable
  • Decent battery life
  • Functional for basic tasks

  • Lower performance
  • Less impressive display
  • Basic camera
  • Limited software updates

Apple iPhone 11

  • Powerful performance
  • Excellent camera
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Long-term software support
  • Fast charging (PD 2.0)

  • High price
  • Older model
  • Limited customization options

Display Comparison

The iPhone 11's display shines with its 1505:1 contrast ratio and 644 nits brightness, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The BLU G40 likely has a lower resolution and brightness, resulting in a less impressive visual experience. Expect washed-out colors and poorer outdoor visibility on the G40.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 11's camera system is renowned for its image quality and video recording capabilities. It offers excellent dynamic range, accurate colors, and impressive low-light performance. The BLU G40's camera is likely to be a simpler affair, producing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions but lacking the detail and features of the iPhone 11.

Performance

The A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 is a significant advantage. It delivers blazing-fast performance for demanding apps and games. The BLU G40's Quad-core Cortex-A75 processor is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with more intensive workloads. Expect lag and slower app loading times on the G40.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the iPhone 11 achieving a 94h endurance rating. While the BLU G40's battery capacity is likely smaller, its less demanding processor might allow for comparable battery life in typical usage. The iPhone 11 also supports faster charging with PD 2.0.

Buying Guide

The BLU G40 is ideal for users on a tight budget who need basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, social media, and light browsing. The iPhone 11 is perfect for those who prioritize performance, camera quality, a premium user experience, and integration within the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BLU G40 a good phone for gaming?
No, the BLU G40's processor isn't powerful enough for demanding games. It's best suited for casual games and basic apps.
❓ How long will Apple support the iPhone 11 with software updates?
Apple typically provides software updates for its iPhones for 5-7 years, ensuring long-term security and feature enhancements.
❓ What is the difference in build quality between the two phones?
The iPhone 11 uses premium materials like glass and aluminum, resulting in a more durable and refined feel. The BLU G40 likely uses more plastic components, which may feel less premium.