The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the BLU G71L and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 takes the crown. While the BLU G71L is a budget option, the A04's more efficient chipset, slightly better camera, and Samsung's brand recognition provide a more polished and reliable user experience, justifying its likely slightly higher price.
| 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, 66 | 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 | 2022, January | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 192 g (6.77 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 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 13 MP
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Green | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
BLU G71L
- Extremely affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered CPU
- Basic camera
- Potentially lower build quality
- Slow charging (10W)
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Better performance (Helio P35)
- Improved camera quality
- Samsung brand reliability
- Slightly better battery efficiency
- Slightly more expensive
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but the Galaxy A04 likely has a slightly better panel with improved color accuracy and brightness. The BLU G71L's display is likely adequate but may lack the vibrancy of the A04. Resolution is likely HD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A04 likely boasts a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and possibly an ultrawide lens. While both phones are budget-oriented, the A04's image processing is likely superior, resulting in better photos in various lighting conditions. Expect the BLU G71L to struggle in low light.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the BLU G71L's Cortex-A55 CPU. The A04's octa-core configuration with higher clock speeds translates to smoother multitasking and app loading times. The BLU G71L will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Galaxy A04's more efficient chipset will likely result in slightly better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The BLU G71L is best for users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and are comfortable with potentially less refined software. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is ideal for those seeking a more reliable and feature-rich experience, even on a tight budget, and appreciate the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The Samsung Galaxy A04 uses a Mediatek Helio P35, which is generally more powerful and efficient than the BLU G71L's Cortex-A55 CPU. This translates to better performance and battery life on the A04.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung typically provides longer software update support than BLU. You can expect more timely security patches and potentially Android version upgrades on the Galaxy A04.
