The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The BLU J7L and Motorola Moto G Play (2021) both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, with the Motorola leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform while the BLU relies on a MediaTek-based solution. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460 chipset provides a significantly more responsive experience, particularly in multitasking and app loading, justifying the price difference. While the BLU J7L offers a lower entry cost, the performance trade-offs are substantial.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 30, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October. Released 2020, October | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 155 x 74.7 x 10.9 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.43 in) | 166.6 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.56 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Violet, Tan | Misty Blue |
| Models | - | XT2093-3, XT2093-7, XT2093-DL, XT2093DL |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 60 EUR |
BLU J7L
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful processor (depending on capacity).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Moto G Play.
- Likely lower quality display.
- Camera performance is expected to be basic.
Motorola Moto G Play (2021)
- Much faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Snapdragon 460.
- Better power efficiency.
- More future-proof platform.
- Higher price compared to the BLU J7L.
- Slow 10W charging.
- 2MP macro camera is largely unnecessary.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. The BLU J7L's display specifications are not provided, suggesting a standard LCD panel likely around 720p resolution, typical for this price bracket. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) also features a 720p+ LCD, but the Snapdragon 460's integrated ISP likely offers slightly better image processing for color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Without specific brightness data, it's safe to assume neither will excel in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, leaning towards basic functionality on both sides. Neither device is expected to have a particularly impressive camera system. The BLU J7L's camera specs are unavailable, but budget phones often feature low-resolution sensors. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) features a 13MP main camera, which is a step up, but image quality will still be heavily reliant on software processing. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Motorola is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The BLU J7L's Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU is an older architecture, designed for efficiency rather than speed. In contrast, the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) utilizes the Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460, an Octa-core processor with a mix of 1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores. This translates to a substantial performance advantage for the Motorola, particularly in multi-threaded tasks and app responsiveness. The Snapdragon 460's 11nm process node also contributes to better power efficiency. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Moto G Play will handle less demanding titles with greater fluidity.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Without knowing the BLU J7L's battery capacity or charging speed, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Snapdragon 460's improved power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Motorola, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. Expect both phones to last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU J7L if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and you are operating on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) if you prioritize a smoother user experience, occasional gaming, and a more future-proof platform, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) struggle with popular apps like Facebook or TikTok?
While the Snapdragon 460 isn't a high-end processor, it's capable of running apps like Facebook and TikTok reasonably well. You might experience occasional slowdowns with multiple apps open or during intensive tasks within these apps, but it should provide a usable experience for most users. The BLU J7L, with its Cortex-A53 processor, will likely exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G Play (2021) a good choice for mobile gaming?
The Moto G Play (2021) is suitable for casual mobile gaming, but don't expect to run demanding titles at high settings. Games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile will likely require low graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. The Snapdragon 460's Adreno 618 GPU is a step up from the graphics capabilities of the BLU J7L, but it's still an entry-level solution.
❓ How much storage does each phone offer, and can it be expanded?
The Motorola Moto G Play (2021) typically comes with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The BLU J7L's storage capacity is not specified, but budget phones often offer 16GB or 32GB, with microSD card support being common. Checking the specific model's specifications is crucial, as storage can vary.
