BLU G40 vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: A David vs. Goliath Battle

The smartphone market offers a vast range of options, from ultra-affordable devices to premium flagships. This comparison pits the budget-conscious BLU G40 against the powerhouse Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Is there any contest, or can the underdog surprise us?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max utterly dominates in almost every category – performance, camera, display, and features. The BLU G40 offers incredible value for its price, but it's a different class of device. If budget is your primary concern, the G40 is a contender; otherwise, the iPhone reigns supreme.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G40 Apple iPhone 14 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2894, A2896
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, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2895
Launch
Announced2022, June2022, September 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, September 16
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)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)240 g (8.47 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)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
Chipset-Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
GPU-Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
Dual13 MP 0.3 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single8 MP12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF 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), ProRes, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 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, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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 Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
Battery
Charging-Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Cyan, Teal, WhiteSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Models-A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
PriceAbout 100 EUR€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR-1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 121h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

BLU G40

  • Extremely affordable
  • Decent battery life (likely)
  • Basic functionality

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

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning camera
  • Premium design
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Access to Apple ecosystem

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

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a significantly superior display. Its 1760 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The BLU G40's display is likely to be less bright and have lower contrast, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. Expect a noticeable difference in sharpness and color accuracy as well.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera system is renowned for its exceptional image quality, advanced features, and impressive video recording capabilities. The BLU G40's camera is likely to be more basic, offering acceptable photos in good lighting conditions but struggling in low light. Expect a significant difference in detail, dynamic range, and overall image quality.

Performance

The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is in a different league than the Quad-core Cortex-A75 in the BLU G40. The iPhone delivers blazing-fast performance for demanding games, video editing, and multitasking. The BLU G40 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more intensive applications. Expect lag and slower loading times on the BLU G40.

Battery Life

Both devices boast impressive battery life, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max achieving an endurance rating of 121 hours. While the BLU G40's battery capacity is likely smaller, its less demanding processor may contribute to 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 a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is for users who demand top-tier performance, a stunning camera, a premium design, and access to the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BLU G40 a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the BLU G40 is a decent option for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media browsing, especially if budget is a major constraint.
❓ Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth the price?
For users who demand the best possible performance, camera, and features, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a worthwhile investment. However, it's a significant expense.