The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. We pit the BLU G61, a straightforward budget offering, against the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India), which leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and a more sophisticated chipset, the Exynos 850, to deliver a compelling experience. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a slightly faster charging experience, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the BLU G61’s Cortex-A55 based processor, despite both being octa-core.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 09. Released 2021, February 09 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Red | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
BLU G61
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Likely inferior camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Better brand recognition and support
- Slightly higher price
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
- LCD display lacks vibrancy
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type and resolution are missing for the BLU G61, suggesting a standard LCD. The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) also utilizes an LCD, but its larger size is a benefit. While neither phone will deliver vibrant colors or high brightness, the A12’s larger screen is better suited for media consumption. Bezels are likely comparable, given the price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the entry-level segment. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable for the BLU G61, but it’s safe to assume a basic setup. The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) likely features a more refined image processing pipeline, leveraging Samsung’s software expertise. The inclusion of multiple cameras on the A12 (though often of limited quality) offers some versatility, while the G61 likely focuses on a single, primary sensor. Users should temper expectations for low-light performance on both devices.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) holds a significant performance edge thanks to its Exynos 850 chipset, fabricated on an 8nm process. This contrasts with the BLU G61’s octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor, which lacks the architectural refinement and manufacturing process benefits of the Exynos. While both CPUs feature Cortex-A55 cores, the Exynos 850’s higher clock speed (2.0 GHz) and more efficient node translate to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The A12 is better equipped for handling moderately demanding apps and light gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the exact battery capacity of the BLU G61 is unknown, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) supports 15W wired charging, a noticeable improvement over the BLU G61’s 10W charging. This faster charging speed will reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet, a significant convenience for users who rely heavily on their smartphones. The Exynos 850’s 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life on the A12.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G61 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, slightly faster charging, and the peace of mind that comes with a well-established brand like Samsung, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient. While it will warm up during prolonged gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling, offering a more consistent gaming experience than the BLU G61’s processor.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the BLU G61 noticeably slow compared to the Samsung Galaxy A12’s 15W charging?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the BLU G61, potentially requiring several hours. The 15W charging on the A12 offers a faster top-up, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly recharge their device.
❓ How does the performance of the BLU G61 compare to the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) when multitasking between several apps?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) will handle multitasking more smoothly due to its more powerful Exynos 850 chipset. The BLU G61’s Cortex-A55 processor may struggle with numerous apps open simultaneously, leading to lag and slowdowns.
