The GE will start dimmer than the Philips, but will outlast it MANY times over.

I've seen the utter poor performance of the Philips branded 2D lamps at my cousin's previous flat - he had to get 2 of these only for them to last a few months until I eventually went my way to get a GE 28W tube and it lasted until he moved out in early 2017. I bet it is still in use today

Yeah some of the GE's I've had start up extremely dim, though soon brighten up. The Philips is probably on the same level as any other cheapo lamp which is a shame considering how good their PL lamps are.

The ASD branded 2D 28W lamp in the downstairs loo is approaching its 1 year use and still working as normal - which is far better than the approx 2 months lasting of both Philips PL-Q 28W lamps (in my cousins previous flat)

For GE lamps, I'd only use them on pre programmed electronic ballasts or magnetic/switchstart because I hate the idea of damaging them by the sputtering caused by instant start ballasts no matter how top notch quality the 2D lamps by GE or Thorn are