BLU G40 vs. iPhone 11 Pro Max: A David vs. Goliath Battle

The smartphone market offers a vast range of options, from ultra-affordable to premium flagships. Today, we're pitting two very different devices against each other: the budget-conscious BLU G40 and the powerhouse Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max. Is there any chance the underdog can challenge the established champion?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 11 Pro Max unequivocally wins this comparison. While the BLU G40 offers incredible value for its price, the iPhone's superior performance, camera quality, display, and overall ecosystem make it the clear winner for users prioritizing a premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G40 Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
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 - A2218
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE 1.6 Gbps DL, 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 - A2161, A2220
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), stainless steel frame
Dimensions163.4 x 78.8 x 10.8 mm (6.43 x 3.10 x 0.43 in)158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 4m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1242 x 2688 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
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, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
Dual13 MP 0.3 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Triple-12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
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 3969 mAh, non-removable (15.04 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Cyan, Teal, WhiteMatte Space Gray, Matte Silver, Matte Gold, Matte Midnight Green
Models-A2218, A2161, A2220, iPhone12,5
PriceAbout 100 EUR$ 233.00 / C$ 369.75 / £ 226.95 / € 249.00
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
256GB 4GB RAM-$ 874.46
512GB 4GB RAM-$ 1,004.31
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 435.00
RENEWED-$ 485.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -81.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 459713 (v7), 536883 (v8) GeekBench: 13870 (v4.4), 3503 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

BLU G40

  • Extremely affordable
  • Functional for basic tasks
  • Decent battery life (potentially)

  • Low performance
  • Basic camera
  • Lower quality display
  • Limited features

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning camera
  • Vibrant display
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging
  • Premium build quality
  • Apple ecosystem

  • High price
  • Can be bulky
  • Limited customization compared to Android

Display Comparison

The iPhone 11 Pro Max boasts a significantly superior display. Its 820 nits brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide exceptional clarity and vibrant colors, far surpassing what the BLU G40 likely offers (assuming a standard LCD panel). The iPhone's color accuracy and viewing angles are also notably better.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 11 Pro Max's camera system is a major selling point. Its advanced image processing, multiple lenses, and video recording capabilities far exceed the BLU G40's capabilities. Expect superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the iPhone.

Performance

The Apple A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 Pro Max is a beast, easily outperforming the BLU G40's Quad-core Cortex-A75. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the iPhone. The iPhone's hexa-core architecture provides a significant advantage in demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both devices boast impressive battery life, with the iPhone 11 Pro Max achieving an endurance rating of 102h. While the BLU G40's battery capacity is likely smaller, its less demanding processor might allow for comparable real-world usage. The iPhone also benefits from faster charging with PD2.0.

Buying Guide

The BLU G40 is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is for users who demand top-tier performance, a stunning camera, a vibrant display, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem, regardless of the higher price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BLU G40 a good phone for gaming?
No, the BLU G40's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It's best suited for casual games and basic apps.
❓ How much storage do I need on the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Consider your usage. 256GB is a good balance for most users, while 512GB is ideal for those who store a lot of photos, videos, and apps.
❓ What is PD2.0 charging?
PD2.0 (Power Delivery 2.0) is a fast-charging standard that allows the iPhone 11 Pro Max to charge significantly faster than standard chargers.