Looking for an affordable Android phone? BLU offers several options, and the M8L and G91 Max are two popular contenders. But which one delivers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BLU G91 Max clearly takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G95 chipset, faster CPU cores, and added wireless charging. While the M8L might be slightly cheaper, the G91 Max offers a noticeably better overall experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2022, February 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 208 x 125 x 9 mm (8.19 x 4.92 x 0.35 in) | 168.6 x 77 x 8.9 mm (6.64 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 352 g (12.42 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray, Sky Blue |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 200 EUR |
BLU M8L
- Affordable
- Large Display
- Decent Battery Life
- Lower Performance
- Basic Camera
- No Wireless Charging
BLU G91 Max
- Powerful Processor
- Better Camera
- Wireless Charging
- Faster Charging
- Slightly Higher Price
- HD+ Display (not FHD+)
- Potential Software Bloat (common in budget phones)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature large displays (around 6.5 inches) with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but don't anticipate flagship-level color accuracy or brightness. The G91 Max *might* have a slightly higher refresh rate, potentially offering smoother scrolling, but this is not confirmed.
Camera Comparison
The G91 Max likely boasts a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses (ultrawide, macro). While both phones will likely offer decent image quality in good lighting, the G91 Max should perform better in low-light conditions and offer more creative shooting options. Expect the G91 Max to have a higher resolution front-facing camera as well.
Performance
This is where the G91 Max shines. The Helio G95 chipset with its Cortex-A76 cores provides a substantial performance boost over the M8L's Cortex-A55-only CPU. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the G91 Max. The M8L will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have large batteries (around 5000mAh). The G91 Max's 18W wired charging is faster than what is likely available on the M8L. The addition of 10W wireless charging on the G91 Max is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The BLU M8L is a good choice for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and affordability. The BLU G91 Max is ideal for those who want a smoother performance, better camera capabilities, and the convenience of wireless charging, even within a budget-friendly price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The BLU G91 Max uses a Mediatek Helio G95 with a combination of Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, offering significantly better performance than the BLU M8L's Cortex-A55-only processor.
❓ Does the BLU G91 Max support 5G?
No, neither the BLU M8L nor the BLU G91 Max support 5G connectivity. They both rely on 4G LTE.
