BLU G40 vs. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max: A David vs. Goliath Battle

The smartphone market offers a vast range of options, from ultra-budget devices to premium flagships. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the BLU G40, a budget-friendly option, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, a powerhouse of technology. Let's see how they stack up.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 12 Pro Max unequivocally wins this comparison. While the BLU G40 offers affordability, the iPhone’s superior performance, camera quality, display, and overall ecosystem make it the clear champion, albeit at a significantly higher price point. It's a battle of value versus premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G40 Apple iPhone 12 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, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2342
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - A2342
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 Sub6 - A2410, A2411, A2412
Launch
Announced2022, June2020, October 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JuneAvailable. Released 2020, November 13
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions163.4 x 78.8 x 10.8 mm (6.43 x 3.10 x 0.43 in)160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)228 g (8.04 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~87.4% 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 (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)
Chipset-Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
GPU-Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
Dual13 MP 0.3 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single8 MP-
Triple-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 65mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10‑bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), 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 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.4 update
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 3687 mAh (14.13 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Cyan, Teal, WhiteSilver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue
Models-A2411, A2342, A2410, A2412, iPhone13,4
PriceAbout 100 EUR$ 328.00 / C$ 549.75 / £ 270.67 / € 339.00
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 599.99
256GB 6GB RAM-$ 728.45
512GB 6GB RAM-$ 886.67
RENEWED-$ 627.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 638584 (v8) GeekBench: 4240 (v5.1) GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

BLU G40

  • Affordable
  • Decent battery life (likely)
  • Basic smartphone functionality

  • Lower performance
  • Less impressive camera
  • Lower quality display
  • Limited features

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning camera system
  • Premium display
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Apple ecosystem integration

  • Expensive
  • Can be bulky
  • Limited customization compared to Android

Display Comparison

The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a significantly superior display. Its 822 nits brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) provide vibrant colors and excellent visibility, even in direct sunlight. The BLU G40 likely has a lower resolution and brightness display, offering a less immersive experience. Expect better color accuracy and viewing angles on the iPhone.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s camera system is renowned for its exceptional image quality, advanced features like Cinematic mode, and excellent video recording capabilities. The BLU G40’s camera is likely to be more basic, offering acceptable photos in good lighting conditions but lacking the detail and dynamic range of the iPhone.

Performance

The A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 Pro Max is in a different league compared to the BLU G40's Quad-core Cortex-A75. The iPhone delivers blazing-fast performance for demanding games, multitasking, and video editing. The BLU G40 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more intensive applications. The iPhone's hexa-core architecture provides a substantial performance advantage.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max achieving a remarkable 95h endurance rating. While the BLU G40's battery capacity is likely smaller, its less demanding processor might still provide a decent battery life. However, the iPhone’s optimized power management and fast charging capabilities give it an edge.

Buying Guide

The BLU G40 is ideal for users on a tight budget who need basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light social media use. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is for those who demand top-tier performance, a stunning camera, a premium build, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BLU G40 a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the BLU G40 can handle basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. However, don't expect high-end performance or advanced features.
❓ Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max worth the price?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium experience, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a worthwhile investment. However, it's a significant expense compared to budget alternatives.
❓ What is the difference between the processors?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses the A14 Bionic chip, a powerful and efficient processor. The BLU G40 uses a Quad-core Cortex-A75, which is significantly less powerful and efficient.