The BLU J4 and BLU C5L Max represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The J4, leveraging Qualcomm’s older Snapdragon 615, aims for a balance of efficiency and established performance. The C5L Max, powered by Unisoc’s SC9832, attempts to offer a slight performance bump at a similar price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more established chipset, the BLU J4 is the better choice. While the C5L Max boasts a slightly higher clocked CPU, the Snapdragon 615’s Cortex-A7 cores and overall system optimization provide a smoother, more reliable experience, especially with multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 40 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2021, December. Released 2021, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151 x 72.3 x 10 mm (5.94 x 2.85 x 0.39 in) | 159.5 x 76.5 x 10.5 mm (6.28 x 3.01 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~68.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9832 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-T820 MP1 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 210 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 2200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Brown | Gray, Blue, Red, Green, Bronze |
| Models | YU5510A, YU5510 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
BLU J4
- More established Qualcomm chipset
- Potentially smoother performance due to Cortex-A7 cores
- Better GPU performance for light gaming
- Older chipset architecture
- Lower CPU clock speed compared to C5L Max
BLU C5L Max
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed
- Potentially lower price point
- Newer Cortex-A53 CPU architecture
- Less proven Unisoc chipset
- Likely weaker GPU performance
- Potential for software optimization issues
Display Comparison
Neither BLU provides detailed display specifications. Given their price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p resolutions. The lack of information prevents a direct comparison of brightness or color accuracy. However, the J4’s Qualcomm chipset may offer slightly better display driver optimization, potentially resulting in marginally smoother scrolling. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given BLU’s history, both are likely to rely on lower-resolution sensors. Any claims of advanced features like HDR or scene detection should be viewed skeptically. The J4’s Qualcomm ISP may offer slightly better image processing, but the difference will likely be minimal in real-world usage. Focusing on the primary sensor is key; any secondary 'macro' or 'depth' sensors are unlikely to provide significant value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The BLU J4’s Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 features a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, built on a 28nm process. The BLU C5L Max utilizes the Unisoc SC9832, also on 28nm, but with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. While the A53 cores are architecturally newer, the A7 cores in the Snapdragon 615 generally offer better single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and a more responsive user interface on the J4. The Snapdragon 615 also benefits from Qualcomm’s Adreno 405 GPU, which is likely more capable than the Mali-450 MP4 found in the SC9832, offering a better gaming experience, albeit limited to less demanding titles.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. Given their similar form factors and target price points, they likely house batteries in the 2000-3000 mAh range. Charging wattage is also unknown. The Snapdragon 615’s power efficiency, combined with Qualcomm’s power management features, may give the J4 a slight edge in battery life, but this will depend heavily on usage patterns. Without fast charging support on either device, expect 0-100% charge times to be in the 2-3 hour range.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU J4 if you need a dependable device for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and value Qualcomm’s established software support. Buy the BLU C5L Max if you prioritize a marginally faster CPU clock speed and are comfortable with a less-proven chipset, potentially accepting occasional performance hiccups in exchange for a slightly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the BLU C5L Max struggle with multitasking compared to the J4?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9832’s Cortex-A53 cores, while newer, are less efficient at handling multiple tasks simultaneously than the Snapdragon 615’s Cortex-A7 cores. Expect more app reloading and potential slowdowns when switching between applications on the C5L Max.
❓ Is the slightly faster clock speed of the C5L Max noticeable in everyday use?
The 100 MHz clock speed difference between the two CPUs is unlikely to be noticeable in most everyday tasks like browsing the web or checking email. The overall system optimization and GPU performance are more significant factors affecting the user experience.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Both phones will struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty. You'll likely need to play at the lowest settings and accept low frame rates. The Snapdragon 615’s Adreno 405 GPU offers a slight advantage, but neither phone is designed for serious gaming.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
The BLU J4, with its Qualcomm chipset, is more likely to receive at least some basic software updates. Unisoc chipsets often have limited software support from manufacturers, meaning the C5L Max may be stuck with its initial Android version for its entire lifespan.
