Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The BLU M8L Plus and Samsung Galaxy A02s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A02s edges out the BLU M8L Plus thanks to its established brand reputation, slightly better chipset, and impressive battery life. While the BLU offers a potentially more modern CPU core type, Samsung's overall package provides a more reliable and feature-rich experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 208 x 123.7 x 10.5 mm (8.19 x 4.87 x 0.41 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 383 g (13.51 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
BLU M8L Plus
- Potentially newer CPU core type (A55)
- Likely more modern design (assuming good build quality)
- Competitive price point
- Unspecified battery life
- Unknown camera quality
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially lower overall performance
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Excellent battery life (114h endurance)
- Reputable brand with better software support
- Slightly better chipset for smoother performance
- Good display brightness (406 nits)
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- Basic camera capabilities
- May feel dated in design
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature LCD displays with similar resolutions (likely HD+). The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured 406 nits brightness, which is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility. The contrast ratio is similar on both, but Samsung's brightness gives it a clearer edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are listed as 'Photo / Video' for both, indicating a lack of detailed information. However, Samsung generally has a better reputation for camera processing and image quality, even in their budget phones. Expect decent but not exceptional photo and video capabilities from both.
Performance
The BLU M8L Plus has an Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU, while the Samsung Galaxy A02s uses a Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) with an Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. While the A55 cores are newer, the Snapdragon 450 chipset and slightly higher clock speed of the A53 cores in the A02s likely provide a smoother overall experience, especially in everyday tasks. Gaming performance will be limited on both.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A02s shines here with an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours. This suggests significantly longer battery life compared to the BLU M8L Plus, which lacks a specified battery capacity or endurance rating. This is a major advantage for the A02s.
Buying Guide
The BLU M8L Plus is a good option for users prioritizing a newer CPU core type and potentially a slightly more modern design (assuming it has a more recent build quality). The Samsung Galaxy A02s is ideal for those seeking a dependable, long-lasting battery, and the reassurance of a well-known brand with broader software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A02s has a significantly better battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 114 hours. The BLU M8L Plus's battery performance is unknown.
❓ Is the BLU M8L Plus worth considering?
The BLU M8L Plus could be a good option if you prioritize a potentially more modern CPU core type and are willing to accept some risks regarding battery life and brand reputation. However, the Samsung Galaxy A02s offers a more reliable and well-rounded experience.
