The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual and the BLU Life Pure XL both target the budget-conscious smartphone buyer. But with different chipsets and feature sets, which one truly delivers the best value? We'll break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BLU Life Pure XL edges out the Xperia M4 Aqua Dual thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 800 chipset. While the Xperia boasts water resistance, the Pure XL's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users seeking a responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2333, E2363 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2333 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E2363 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2014, April. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm (5.73 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) | 150.6 x 75 x 9.5 mm (5.93 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2333,E2363) | 16GB 2GB RAM (L259L), 32GB 3GB RAM (L260L) |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 16 MP, 1/2.3", 1.34µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | Air gestures
Motion controls |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h 40 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 493 h (2G) / Up to 488 h (3G) | Up to 800 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Coral, Silver | Black, White |
| Models | E2312, E2333, E2363 | - |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | - |
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual
- Water Resistance (IP67)
- Compact Design
- Reputable Brand
- Lower Performance
- Smaller Battery
- Outdated Chipset
BLU Life Pure XL
- Faster Performance (Snapdragon 800)
- Larger Display
- Longer Battery Life
- Generally Lower Price
- Less Durable (No Water Resistance)
- Less Established Brand
- Potentially Less Refined Software
Display Comparison
The BLU Life Pure XL features a larger 5.5-inch display compared to the Xperia M4 Aqua Dual's 5-inch screen. Both utilize IPS LCD technology, offering decent viewing angles, but the Pure XL's larger size provides a more immersive experience. Resolution is likely similar, around 720p, so pixel density isn't a major differentiator.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M4 Aqua Dual typically features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, known for decent image quality in good lighting. The BLU Life Pure XL likely has a similar setup, potentially with a slightly lower megapixel count. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing, making it a close contest. Low-light performance is likely comparable on both.
Performance
This is where the BLU Life Pure XL shines. Its Snapdragon 800 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Xperia M4 Aqua Dual's Snapdragon 615. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Pure XL. The Xperia's octa-core processor is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles under heavier loads.
Battery Life
The BLU Life Pure XL is known for its large battery capacity (often 3000mAh or greater), providing excellent battery life. The Xperia M4 Aqua Dual's battery is smaller (around 2400mAh), resulting in shorter usage times. The Pure XL will likely last significantly longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is ideal for users prioritizing water resistance and a compact design. The BLU Life Pure XL is a better fit for those who value performance and a larger display, even if it lacks the same level of ruggedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M4 Aqua Dual waterproof?
Yes, the Xperia M4 Aqua Dual has an IP67 rating, meaning it's dustproof and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The BLU Life Pure XL is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 800 chipset. The Xperia M4 Aqua Dual will struggle with demanding games.
