BLU offers compelling value in the budget smartphone space, but navigating their lineup can be tricky. The G9 and G90 Pro represent distinct tiers within their portfolio. The G9 focuses on affordability, while the G90 Pro aims to deliver a more robust experience, particularly for gaming. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which BLU phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the BLU G90 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a significant performance boost over the G9's Helio P22, making it suitable for gaming and demanding apps. The addition of 18W wired and 10W wireless charging further enhances its usability, justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2020, August 25. Released 2020, August 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 155.4 x 71.8 x 8 mm (6.12 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) | 162 x 77 x 10.1 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3" | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
10W wireless (Qi) |
| Stand-by | Up to 750 h (2G) / Up to 650 h (3G) | Up to 560 h (2G) / Up to 445 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 30 h (2G) / Up to 24 h (3G) | Up to 8 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Purple Haze |
| Models | - | xt502 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) |
BLU G9
- Most affordable option
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Likely longer battery life *per charge* due to less powerful chipset
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow charging speeds
- Poor gaming performance
BLU G90 Pro
- Much faster performance with Helio G90T
- 18W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Better gaming capabilities
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life *per charge* due to more powerful chipset
- May run slightly warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both the BLU G9 and G90 Pro likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like resolution and refresh rate are unavailable. The focus here is on internal performance, not display fidelity. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, typical of budget smartphones. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either model, prioritizing cost over calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras are limited. It's safe to assume both phones feature multiple rear cameras, but image quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing. The G90 Pro likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G90T, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of features like optical image stabilization (OIS) is unlikely on either device, given the price point. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors are likely to offer minimal benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The BLU G9's MediaTek Helio P22, with its octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, is designed for basic multitasking and light app usage. The G90 Pro, however, boasts the Helio G90T. This chipset features a more modern CPU configuration – two high-performance 2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores paired with six efficiency-focused 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture delivers a substantial performance uplift, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The G90T also includes a more capable GPU, making it the clear choice for gamers. While RAM details are missing, the G90 Pro's chipset is designed to handle larger RAM configurations more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the G90 Pro's 18W wired charging and 10W wireless (Qi) charging capabilities are a significant advantage. The G9 likely supports only standard 5W or 10W wired charging. This means the G90 Pro can be charged much faster, and the convenience of wireless charging is a valuable addition. Even with a similar battery capacity, the G90 Pro's more efficient chipset could translate to longer real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G9 if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. You'll be sacrificing performance and features. Buy the BLU G90 Pro if you enjoy mobile gaming, stream video content frequently, or simply want a smoother, more responsive user experience. The G90 Pro's superior chipset and charging capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the BLU G90 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G90T chipset in the G90 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but the experience will be significantly better than on the G9.
❓ Does the BLU G90 Pro support fast charging with any specific charger?
The BLU G90 Pro supports 18W wired charging. While it may charge with a standard 5W or 10W charger, you'll need a USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or Quick Charge (QC) compatible charger that outputs 18W to achieve the fastest charging speeds. Using a lower wattage charger will result in significantly longer charging times.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Helio G90T noticeable for everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. While the Helio P22 is adequate for basic tasks like browsing and social media, the Helio G90T provides a much smoother and more responsive experience. Apps will launch faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and the overall user interface will feel snappier on the G90 Pro.