Looking for an affordable smartphone without breaking the bank? The BLU View 3 and LG Stylo 5 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 to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Stylo 5 edges out the BLU View 3 thanks to its significantly better battery life and faster charging. While both offer basic functionality, the Stylo 5's display contrast and overall reliability make it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September. Released 2021, October | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 76.7 x 9 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160 x 77.7 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3400 mAh | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Blonde Rose, Platinum Gray |
| Models | - | LM-Q720 |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise-93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 79h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1485 (nominal), 3.218 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 70dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4695 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
BLU View 3
- Very affordable
- Decent processing power (potentially)
- Compact size
- Unknown battery life
- Likely basic display
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slower charging
LG Stylo 5
- Excellent battery life (79h endurance)
- Faster 20W charging
- Better display contrast
- Stylus support
- More reliable brand
- Performance can be sluggish
- Camera is basic
- Design is dated
Display Comparison
The LG Stylo 5 boasts a noticeably better display with a reported contrast ratio of 1485 (nominal) and 3.218 in sunlight, suggesting improved visibility outdoors. The BLU View 3's display is likely standard for its price range, potentially lacking the same level of brightness and contrast. Stylus support is a key differentiator for the Stylo 5.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed for the BLU View 3. The LG Stylo 5's camera is described as 'Photo / Video,' suggesting standard capabilities. Both phones are unlikely to offer exceptional camera quality, but the LG Stylo 5 may have slightly better image processing due to Qualcomm's generally stronger image signal processors.
Performance
While both phones utilize Octa-core Cortex-A53 processors, the BLU View 3's Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, *might* offer a slight edge in performance compared to the LG Stylo 5's Snapdragon 450 (14nm). However, real-world performance will likely be similar for everyday tasks. Expect some lag with demanding apps on both.
Battery Life
The LG Stylo 5 shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 79 hours. The BLU View 3's battery capacity is unknown, but it's safe to assume it won't match the Stylo 5's longevity. The Stylo 5 also benefits from 20W wired charging, a significant advantage over the BLU View 3 which likely uses slower charging.
Buying Guide
The BLU View 3 is a good option for users prioritizing a very low price point and basic functionality. The LG Stylo 5 is ideal for those needing longer battery life, a slightly better display, and faster charging, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The BLU View 3 uses a Mediatek Helio P22, while the LG Stylo 5 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450. While both are Octa-core Cortex-A53, the Helio P22's 12nm process *could* offer a slight performance advantage, but real-world differences are likely minimal.
❓ Is the LG Stylo 5's stylus useful?
Yes! The stylus adds functionality for note-taking, drawing, and navigating the phone. It's a unique feature not found in the BLU View 3 and can be quite handy for certain users.