The BLU J4 and G5 Plus represent two points in BLU’s budget smartphone offerings. The J4, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, is an older model likely available at a significantly lower price point. The G5 Plus, featuring an octa-core Cortex-A55 processor, aims to offer a more modern experience. This comparison dissects the core differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the BLU G5 Plus is the better choice. Its octa-core Cortex-A55 CPU provides a substantial performance uplift over the J4’s aging Snapdragon 615, making everyday tasks and light multitasking smoother. However, the J4 remains a viable option for extremely budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - G0190UU |
| 4G bands | 3, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28 - G0190LL, G0190VV |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 - G0190UU |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, July. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151 x 72.3 x 10 mm (5.94 x 2.85 x 0.39 in) | 161.4 x 78 x 9.6 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-400 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| 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, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 210 h | Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 525 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 20 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Brown | Black, Red, Twilight, Chameleon Blue |
| Models | YU5510A, YU5510 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
BLU J4
- Likely significantly cheaper than the G5 Plus.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- May be easier to find replacement batteries.
- Outdated processor struggles with modern apps.
- Less efficient, resulting in shorter battery life.
- Potential for significant thermal throttling.
BLU G5 Plus
- More powerful and efficient octa-core processor.
- Smoother user experience and faster app loading.
- Potentially better camera performance due to improved ISP.
- Higher price point than the J4.
- May not offer a dramatically improved display.
- Software support may still be limited.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price points, both devices likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The J4, being older, may have lower peak brightness and narrower color gamut coverage. The G5 Plus, potentially benefiting from newer panel technology, could offer a more vibrant and viewable experience, especially outdoors. Bezels are also likely larger on the J4 due to its age.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, making a precise comparison difficult. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. The G5 Plus *may* benefit from improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities integrated into its newer processor, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's reasonable to assume the G5 Plus has a more modern sensor, even if the megapixel count is similar. We can expect both phones to struggle with dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The BLU J4’s Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 is a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process. This older architecture, while capable for its time, struggles with modern workloads. The BLU G5 Plus boasts an octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU. While the clock speed isn’t dramatically higher, the Cortex-A55 architecture is significantly more efficient and offers improved instructions per clock (IPC) compared to the Cortex-A7 in the Snapdragon 615. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the G5 Plus. The 28nm process of the Snapdragon 615 also means it will generate more heat under load, potentially leading to thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Battery capacity and charging wattage are not specified. However, the more efficient Cortex-A55 processor in the G5 Plus will likely contribute to better battery life compared to the J4, even with a similar battery capacity. The Snapdragon 615’s 28nm process is less power-efficient, meaning it will drain the battery faster during intensive tasks. Without knowing the charging wattage, it’s impossible to determine which phone charges faster, but a newer device like the G5 Plus is more likely to support faster charging standards.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU J4 if you need a functional smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing – and your budget is extremely limited. It’s a good option for a first smartphone or a backup device. Buy the BLU G5 Plus if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and are willing to spend a bit more for improved performance and potentially longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the BLU G5 Plus handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the octa-core Cortex-A55 processor in the G5 Plus is significantly more capable of handling the demands of social media apps like TikTok and Instagram compared to the Snapdragon 615 in the J4. You should experience smoother scrolling, faster loading times, and fewer instances of lag.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 615 in the BLU J4 still adequate for making phone calls and sending text messages?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 615 is more than sufficient for basic communication tasks like making phone calls and sending text messages. The processor’s limitations primarily become apparent when running more demanding applications or multitasking.
❓ Can I expect significant gaming performance on either of these phones?
Gaming performance will be limited on both devices. The J4 will struggle with most modern games, even on low settings. The G5 Plus can handle some lighter games, but don't expect a smooth experience with graphically intensive titles. Both phones lack dedicated GPUs capable of delivering a high-framerate gaming experience.
❓ How does the age of the J4 affect its long-term usability?
The J4's age means it's likely to receive fewer software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks. App compatibility may also become an issue over time as developers optimize their apps for newer processors and Android versions.
