BLU G6 vs. BLU G5 Plus: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

BLU consistently targets the ultra-budget smartphone market, and the G6 and G5 Plus represent their attempts to deliver the most features for the least amount of money. While both phones share a similar price point and target audience, key differences in their specifications, particularly the G6's 'Photo' camera and the Hummingbird chipset, warrant a detailed comparison to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and a slightly more modern chipset, the BLU G6 emerges as the better choice. While the G5 Plus remains a viable option, the G6's Hummingbird chipset offers a marginal performance advantage, and the 'Photo' camera suggests a focus on image quality, even if details are limited.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU G6 BLU G5 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - G0210UUHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - G0190UU
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28 - G0210LL1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28 - G0190LL, G0190VV
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 - G0210UU2, 4, 5, 12, 17 - G0190UU
Launch
Announced2019, July. Released 2019, July2019, July. Released 2019, July
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions153 x 73.4 x 9.1 mm (6.02 x 2.89 x 0.36 in)161.4 x 78 x 9.6 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight160 g (5.64 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass-
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~74.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetHummingbird-
GPUIMG8322IMG8322
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single13 MP, AF13 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single8 MP8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP4.1, A2DP
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
BrowserHTML, Adobe Flash-
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
Stand-byUp to 550 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G)Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 525 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 20 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G)Up to 20 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 2800 mAh, removableLi-Po 3000 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, RedBlack, Red, Twilight, Chameleon Blue
PriceAbout 280 EUR-
SAR0.61 W/kg (head)     0.49 W/kg (body)     -
SAR EU0.51 W/kg (head)     -
Tests
Audio quality Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB-
Camera Photo-
Loudspeaker Voice 64dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB-

BLU G6

  • Potentially more efficient Hummingbird chipset
  • Camera branded as 'Photo', suggesting image quality focus
  • Likely to receive more software updates (being the newer model)

  • Limited information available on specifications
  • May be slightly more expensive than the G5 Plus

BLU G5 Plus

  • Likely the most affordable option
  • Proven reliability within the BLU G series
  • Simple and straightforward user experience

  • Older processor architecture
  • Standard camera setup with no specific enhancements
  • Potentially limited software support

Display Comparison

Unfortunately, display specifications are absent from the provided data. Given BLU's market segment, we can infer both devices likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The absence of details like refresh rate or peak brightness suggests neither phone will excel in display quality. Users should expect standard viewing angles and color reproduction, typical of budget displays. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both models to minimize production costs.

Camera Comparison

The BLU G6 differentiates itself with a 'Photo' camera, implying a focus on image capture. While the resolution and sensor size are unknown, the designation suggests BLU prioritized camera performance to some degree. The G5 Plus lacks this specific branding, indicating a more standard camera setup. Without further details, it's difficult to assess image quality, but users should expect typical budget smartphone camera performance – adequate in good lighting conditions but struggling in low light. The absence of information regarding OIS or lens apertures further limits our ability to compare camera capabilities.

Performance

Both the BLU G6 and G5 Plus are powered by an octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU. However, the G6's inclusion of the Hummingbird chipset suggests a potentially more efficient architecture or manufacturing process. While the core count and clock speed are identical, the Hummingbird may offer slightly improved single-core performance and better thermal management. This difference, though likely small, could translate to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the G6. The lack of RAM specifications makes it difficult to assess overall performance, but both devices likely feature 2-4GB of RAM, sufficient for basic tasks.

Battery Life

Battery capacity and charging wattage are not provided for either device. Given the budget nature of these phones, we can anticipate battery sizes in the 3000-4000 mAh range. Charging speeds are likely to be slow, potentially utilizing Micro-USB connectivity. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but users should expect a full day of light use from both devices. The Hummingbird chipset in the G6 *may* offer slightly improved power efficiency, potentially extending battery life marginally.

Buying Guide

Buy the BLU G6 if you need a phone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and you value a potentially more responsive experience thanks to the Hummingbird chipset. Buy the BLU G5 Plus if you are looking for the absolute lowest price point and are comfortable with a slightly older processor, and your usage is extremely light, focusing primarily on essential communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the practical difference between the Cortex-A55 CPU in the G6 and G5 Plus, given they have the same clock speed?
While both phones use the same CPU core and clock speed, the Hummingbird chipset in the G6 may utilize a more advanced manufacturing process or architectural optimizations. This could result in slightly improved single-core performance, better power efficiency, and potentially reduced thermal throttling during sustained use. However, the difference is unlikely to be dramatic.
❓ Does the 'Photo' camera on the BLU G6 mean it takes significantly better pictures than the G5 Plus?
The 'Photo' designation suggests BLU prioritized camera performance on the G6, but without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, it's impossible to quantify the difference. Expect improvements in image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions, but don't anticipate flagship-level camera performance. The G5 Plus will still be capable of taking acceptable photos for casual use.
❓ Will either of these phones struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
Both phones, with their likely 2-4GB of RAM and Cortex-A55 processors, may exhibit some lag when running multiple apps simultaneously. However, for basic usage like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing, they should be adequate. Closing unused apps regularly will help maintain performance.