BLU G45 Blue 128GB

The BLU G45 is a $130 phone that punches above its weight with a 120Hz display, 128GB storage, and Android 15. Battery life is solid and everyday performance feels snappy. The camera and processor are the weak spots, so skip it if those matter to you. For budget buyers who just need a reliable daily driver, this is a steal.

The Unisoc T7250 is an 8-core chip running at 1.8GHz, and honestly, it sits near the bottom of our performance rankings. That's not a dig, it's just reality. This processor is built on a 12nm process, which is older tech at this point. For everyday tasks like messaging, light web browsing, and social media, it'll get the job done. Android 15 helps here since it's more optimized than older versions, and the early user feedback mentions snappy performance for basic use.

But don't expect this thing to chew through demanding apps. The 4GB of RAM (with up to 8GB of virtual RAM via BLU's Xtra RAM feature) means you'll feel the squeeze if you're a heavy multitasker. Gaming is going to be rough on anything beyond casual titles. The 1080p video capture at 30fps is fine for quick clips, but the single 13MP rear camera isn't going to win any photography awards. Our camera score puts this in the bottom quarter of phones we've tested, so keep expectations grounded.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy S24, the G45 obviously loses on almost every performance metric. The S24 has a sharper display, a much faster processor, and a camera system that's in a completely different league. But it also costs roughly six to seven times more. If you're comparing these two, you're really comparing two different categories of buyer. The S24 is for people who want a flagship experience. The G45 is for people who want a phone that works.

The Google Pixel 9a is a more interesting comparison because it's the budget option from Google. It has a better camera, better software support, and a cleaner Android experience. But it's still significantly more expensive than the G45. The Motorola Edge and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G both offer better displays and faster performance, but again, you're paying for it. The G45's real competition is other sub-$150 phones, and in that space, the 120Hz display and 128GB storage make it a standout.

At $130, the value proposition here is hard to argue with. You're getting a big display, a big battery, and modern software for less than the cost of a nice dinner for two. The 128GB of storage alone is worth noting since many budget phones still ship with 64GB or even 32GB. And the microSD slot means you can add up to 1TB more, which is wild for this price point.

Compared to the competition, the G45 undercuts almost everything. The Samsung Galaxy S24, Google Pixel 9a, and Apple iPhone 16e all cost several times more. Even the Motorola Edge and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G sit in a different price bracket entirely. The trade-off is that you're giving up camera quality, processing power, and display sharpness. But if those aren't your priorities, the G45 delivers a lot of phone for very little money.

The BLU G45 is one of those phones that makes you do a double take when you see the price tag. At $130, you're getting a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, 128GB of storage, and Android 15 out of the box. That's a spec sheet that would've cost you three or four times as much just a couple years ago. BLU has always played in the budget sandbox, but the G45 feels like they're actually trying to punch above their weight class this time.

Who's this for? Someone who needs a functional smartphone without the four-figure commitment. Maybe it's a first phone for a teenager, a backup device, or a daily driver for someone who mostly texts, scrolls social media, and watches YouTube. The carrier compatibility list includes T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Cricket, and Mint Mobile, which covers a solid chunk of the prepaid market in the US.

What makes it interesting is the mismatch between what you'd expect and what you get. The 120Hz refresh rate on a sub-$150 phone is genuinely surprising. The in-display fingerprint sensor is another feature that used to be reserved for flagships. But there are trade-offs lurking under the hood, and we'll get into those. The short version: this phone is a value play, not a performance play.

If you're into mobile photography, this phone will frustrate you. The single 13MP camera is one of the weakest we've seen, and there's no telephoto, no ultrawide, and no fancy computational photography tricks to bail it out. You'd be better off with a Google Pixel 9a or even a used Pixel from a previous generation if photos matter.

Gamers should also look elsewhere. The Unisoc T7250 is fine for casual use, but anything more demanding than a match-three puzzle game will likely stutter or drop frames. And if you need a sharp display for reading or watching high-res content, the 720p resolution on a 6.7-inch screen is going to feel soft. In those cases, the Motorola Edge or Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G are worth the extra money.

If you need a cheap phone that handles the basics well, the BLU G45 is an easy recommendation. The 120Hz display makes everyday scrolling feel better than it has any right to at this price, and the battery life means you won't be hunting for a charger by mid-afternoon. The storage situation is also excellent, with 128GB built in and room to expand. For a first phone, a backup device, or a budget daily driver, this thing delivers.

But if you care about photography, mobile gaming, or having a sharp display, look elsewhere. The camera is the weakest link here, and the 720p resolution on a screen this size means text and images won't be as crisp as they are on pricier phones. The processor will also show its limits if you push it. For the right buyer, though, the G45 is a reminder that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a functional, modern smartphone.