The BLU Studio C 8+8 and Motorola Moto E (2nd Generation) represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum. Both devices aimed to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point. However, key differences in chipset selection and available configurations – particularly the presence of an LTE variant on the Moto E – create distinct performance and usability profiles.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) is the better choice. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Moto E’s Snapdragon chipset, especially the 410 variant, provides a more responsive experience and future-proofs the device with 4G LTE connectivity. The BLU Studio C 8+8 is limited by its older Mediatek processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - S270Q | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - XT1527, XT1511 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - XT1527 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 20 - XT1524 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, August. Released 2016, August | 2015, February. Released 2015, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144.4 x 72.5 x 8.5 mm (5.69 x 2.85 x 0.33 in) | 129.9 x 66.8 x 12.3 mm (5.11 x 2.63 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 152 g (5.36 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 - 3G modelQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 - LTE model |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) - 3G modelQualcomm Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) - LTE model |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 302 - 3G modelAdreno 306 - LTE model |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0/5.1 (Lollipop) - only XT1527, upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 775 h (2G) / Up to 650 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 32 h (2G) / Up to 24 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2390 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Rose Gold, Bronze | Black, White |
| Models | - | XT1527, XT1511, XT1505, XT1524, XT1528, XT1526 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 82h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 546Basemark X: 1851 |
BLU Studio C 8+8
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Decent battery endurance
- Outdated Mediatek MT6580 chipset
- Limited performance
- No LTE connectivity
Motorola Moto E (2nd gen)
- More powerful Snapdragon chipset (especially 410)
- LTE connectivity option
- Better long-term value
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera quality likely similar to BLU Studio C 8+8
- Still an entry-level device
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature similar low-resolution panels, typical of this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Without specific display specs, it's safe to assume both will offer adequate, but unremarkable, viewing experiences. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic photo and video capabilities, but details are sparse. Expect low-resolution sensors and limited image processing. The absence of specific camera specs suggests neither device is intended for serious photography. Image quality will likely be acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low light. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; sensor size and image processing algorithms are far more critical, and data on these is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The BLU Studio C 8+8 utilizes the Mediatek MT6580, a 28nm quad-core processor with Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.3 GHz. The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) offers two options: a 3G model with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (also 28nm) and an LTE model with the Snapdragon 410. The Snapdragon 410, with its Cortex-A53 cores, represents a significant architectural improvement over the A7, offering better performance per clock and improved power efficiency. This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Moto E, particularly the LTE variant. The MT6580 will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the BLU Studio C 8+8 and Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) achieve an endurance rating of 82 hours, indicating comparable battery life. This suggests similar battery capacities and efficient power management. While the exact mAh ratings are unknown, the Snapdragon 410’s improved power efficiency in the Moto E could slightly offset any capacity differences, potentially leading to marginally longer real-world usage, especially when utilizing 4G LTE connectivity.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Studio C 8+8 if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and 3G connectivity is sufficient. It’s a functional device for basic tasks like calls and messaging. Buy the Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) if you prioritize a smoother user experience, access to faster data speeds with the LTE model, and a more reliable chipset from a more established brand. The Moto E offers a better long-term value proposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) with the Snapdragon 410 handle basic social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 410, with its Cortex-A53 cores, is significantly more capable than the Mediatek MT6580 in the BLU Studio C 8+8. It will handle Facebook, WhatsApp, and similar apps with a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. The MT6580 may exhibit lag and slowdowns with these apps, especially when multitasking.
❓ Is the lack of LTE on the BLU Studio C 8+8 a major drawback in 2024?
Yes, in 2024, the absence of LTE is a significant limitation. 3G networks are being phased out in many regions, and data speeds on 3G are considerably slower than LTE. This will impact your ability to browse the web, stream videos, and use data-intensive apps effectively. The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) LTE variant offers a much more modern and usable mobile data experience.
❓ How will the older processor in the BLU Studio C 8+8 affect app compatibility over time?
As app developers optimize for newer processors and operating system versions, older processors like the Mediatek MT6580 may become increasingly unsupported. This could lead to compatibility issues with newer apps or reduced performance in existing apps. The Snapdragon 410 in the Moto E is a more recent chipset and will likely have better long-term app compatibility.
