Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The BLU S91 and Samsung Galaxy A13 5G are both contenders, offering affordability and essential features. But which one delivers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, 5G connectivity, and generally better software experience outweigh the BLU S91's lower price. While the BLU S91 is a budget option, the A13 5G offers a significantly better overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 24 | 2021, December 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 24 | Available. Released 2021, December 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.3 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.3 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Black |
| Models | - | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 |
| SAR | - | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
BLU S91
- Very affordable
- Basic functionality
- Compact size (potentially)
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slow charging
- No 5G
Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Powerful chipset
- Better display
- Improved camera
- Reliable brand
- Faster charging
- Higher price than BLU S91
- Design may be considered basic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G boasts a larger 6.5-inch display with a higher resolution (typically 1080 x 2408 pixels) compared to the BLU S91's smaller and likely lower-resolution screen. Expect better color accuracy and overall visual clarity on the A13 5G. The A13 5G also likely has a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G generally has a more capable camera system. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the A13 5G. The A13 5G likely includes features like optical image stabilization (OIS) which the BLU S91 probably lacks.
Performance
Here's where the A13 5G truly shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset (7nm) is significantly more powerful and efficient than the BLU S91's Helio G25 (12nm). The A13 5G's Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial boost in performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Expect noticeable lag and slower app loading times on the BLU S91.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer decent battery life, but the A13 5G's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (often around 5000mAh) give it an edge. The 15W wired charging on the A13 5G is a standard feature, while the BLU S91's charging speed is likely slower.
Buying Guide
The BLU S91 is best for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need 5G. The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is ideal for those seeking a reliable, future-proof smartphone with 5G connectivity, a better display, and a smoother user experience, even at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BLU S91 good for gaming?
The BLU S91's processor is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is designed for 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support than BLU, meaning the Galaxy A13 5G will likely receive updates for a longer period.