BLU G40 vs Xiaomi Redmi 10A: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The BLU G40 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The G40 features a quad-core Cortex-A75, while the Redmi 10A utilizes MediaTek’s Helio G25 octa-core chipset. This comparison will dissect the implications of these architectural choices and determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness in everyday tasks, the BLU G40 edges out the Redmi 10A. While the Redmi 10A boasts more cores, the Cortex-A75 in the G40 provides a higher peak performance per core, resulting in a smoother user experience. However, the Redmi 10A’s 10W charging is a significant drawback.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G40 Xiaomi Redmi 10A
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 661, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2022, June2022, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, March 31
Body
Dimensions163.4 x 78.8 x 10.8 mm (6.43 x 3.10 x 0.43 in)164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset-Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)
GPU-PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal32GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual13 MP 0.3 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP5 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Cyan, Teal, WhiteCharcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey
Models-220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I
PriceAbout 100 EUR€ 60.00 / $ 66.55
SAR-0.90 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.40 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

BLU G40

  • Potentially faster single-core performance due to Cortex-A75 cores.
  • Likely smoother experience for everyday tasks.
  • May offer a more responsive user interface.

  • Quad-core CPU may struggle with heavy multitasking.
  • Charging speed is unknown and could be slow.
  • Display quality is likely basic.

Xiaomi Redmi 10A

  • Lower price point is a significant advantage.
  • Octa-core CPU may handle multitasking slightly better.
  • MediaTek Helio G25 is a relatively power-efficient chipset.

  • Cortex-A53 cores offer lower peak performance.
  • 10W charging is significantly slower than most competitors.
  • Overall user experience may feel less responsive.

Display Comparison

Neither device is expected to excel in display quality given their price points. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are not provided, but both will likely target 720p. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or brightness. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Without further data, it's safe to assume both displays are adequate for basic viewing but won't impress.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor or macro lens, but image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The Redmi 10A’s Helio G25 chipset includes a basic image signal processor (ISP), but it won’t match the capabilities of more advanced chips. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.

Performance

The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The BLU G40’s quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 is a higher-performance core design than the Cortex-A53 cores found in the Redmi 10A’s Helio G25. While the Redmi 10A has eight cores (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53), the A75 offers significantly more processing power per core. This translates to faster app launch times and smoother operation for individual applications. The Helio G25’s 12nm process node is a step behind more modern fabrication processes, potentially impacting thermal efficiency and sustained performance. The G40's single cluster design may struggle with heavy multitasking, but will likely outperform the Redmi 10A in single-threaded tasks.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both will likely fall in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. However, the Redmi 10A’s 10W wired charging is a significant disadvantage. This slow charging speed will result in extended charging times, potentially taking several hours to reach a full charge. The BLU G40’s charging speed is not specified, but even a modest 15W charger would offer a noticeable improvement in convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the BLU G40 if you need a phone that feels relatively snappy for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, and you don't mind potentially limited multi-tasking capabilities. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10A if you prioritize a lower price point and are willing to accept a slightly less responsive experience, particularly when running multiple apps simultaneously, and are comfortable with slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Redmi 10A struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Redmi 10A can run these apps, the Helio G25’s Cortex-A53 cores may result in slower loading times and occasional lag, especially when multitasking. The BLU G40’s Cortex-A75 cores should provide a smoother experience with these commonly used applications.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi 10A with its 10W charger?
Given the likely battery capacity (4000-5000 mAh) and the 10W charging rate, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is significantly slower than phones with 18W or higher charging capabilities.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 vs Cortex-A53) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-A75 offers a substantial performance advantage per core. This translates to faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience, particularly when running individual applications. The Redmi 10A’s octa-core setup doesn’t compensate for the lower performance of its individual cores.