The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the BLU J9L and the Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018). Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BLU J9L edges out the Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) thanks to its octa-core processor, offering noticeably better performance. While both are budget options, the J9L's speed and potentially more modern software make it the slightly better choice for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Asia, Russia |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 5, 8, 38, 40 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June. Released 2021, June | 2018, January. Released 2018, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 76.9 x 9.7 mm (6.36 x 3.03 x 0.38 in) | 143.8 x 72.3 x 8.4 mm (5.66 x 2.85 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 60 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Green, Red | Black, Gold, Blue, Pink |
| Models | - | SM-J250F, SM-J250G, SM-J250F, SM-J250M, SM-J250Y |
| Price | - | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.51 W/kg (head) 1.20 W/kg (body) |
BLU J9L
- Faster Octa-Core Processor
- Potentially more modern software
- Likely better multitasking performance
- Competitive price
- Brand recognition less established than Samsung
- Camera quality may not be significantly better
- Build quality may be less premium
Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018)
- Samsung brand recognition
- Potentially slightly better display color accuracy
- Reliable and stable software (Samsung's One UI)
- Good ecosystem integration
- Slower Quad-Core Processor
- Less responsive performance
- Outdated chipset
- Limited camera features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, LCD displays, likely around 5.0-5.5 inches. Expect standard resolution (likely 720p) on both. The Samsung might have slightly better color accuracy due to Samsung's display technology, but overall, the viewing experience will be similar. The J9L *might* have a slightly higher resolution, but this is unconfirmed.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often lacking in budget phones. The J2 Pro likely has a basic 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The J9L *likely* has similar specs, but image processing and software features could differentiate the results. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be subpar on both devices. Video recording will likely be limited to 720p or 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
This is where the BLU J9L has a clear advantage. Its octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor significantly outperforms the Samsung's quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the J9L. The Snapdragon 425 in the J2 Pro is a capable chipset for basic tasks, but it will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) likely has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 2600-3000 mAh), but the BLU J9L's more efficient processor could offset this. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but both phones should provide a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The BLU J9L is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a smoother experience on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) might appeal to those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem or seeking a very basic, reliable device with Samsung's brand recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The BLU J9L is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful octa-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) will struggle with even basic games.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) worth buying if I already own other Samsung devices?
If you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and primarily need a basic backup phone, the J2 Pro might be suitable. However, the BLU J9L offers better overall performance for a similar price.
