BLU’s Studio Mega 2018 is a lightweight, beautiful phone that looks great from the outside. The curved glass screen is a classy touch. The performance is somewhat lacking, and it seems to move very slowly compared to other phones in its class. The included 3G LTE is outdated. You may want to search for an option with 4G LTE, at least. This phone does come with headphones, however.
The R2 Plus 2019 can be a bit slow, but it includes some premium features. The face recognition software and fingerprint scanner are nice features when they work. It tends to overheat while charging. For basic use, this is a solid phone.
BLU’s Vivo Go would be a great starter phone for a child or teenager. It looks beautiful but performs at a disadvantage. The fingerprint scanner works quickly and is accurate most of the time, and the powersave feature helps to save battery life by closing background apps and processes. Still, it can’t handle multitasking very effectively.
The Advance 5.2 HD suffers from a lot of the same performance issues as some of BLU’s other phones. It slows down quite a bit when dealing with graphics-heavy games, but the display itself is vibrant. For basic calls and texts, this cell phone will work great.
The Vivo XL4 is one of the better choices from BLU’s lineup. It charges quickly and comes with two cases, a tempered glass screen protector, and a set of headphones right in the box. While it still has some quirks, it mostly rises above the performance issues that some of their other phones have.
The BLU Advance A4 isn’t a fast phone, but it is mostly solid for the price. It supports dual SIM cards and has a dual-camera setup. With most smartphones boasting a large screen, it’s a refreshing change to see a smaller screen. This could be a great phone for kids.
The BLU Pure View is a great-looking phone that performs well. It has better specs than the majority of the BLU phones we looked at and it works well for the most part. It charges quickly but gives off a lot of excess heat as it charges. It comes with a case and screen protector in the box.
The BLU Vivo XI+ is the highest-quality phone on our list so far. It has a price to match, but it delivers when it comes to features. It has wireless charging, fast performance, face unlock, and a fingerprint sensor. Overall, this is a great phone, if a bit pricey for a budget model.
The BLU Vivo XI+ is the best quality phone that BLU has made to date. This phone has a huge display, more storage than a few of their other phones combined, and enough RAM to keep multiple applications working flawlessly. It has a great combination of features, with a fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and the latest Android operating system that can be upgraded later this year.
It’s a large, beautiful phone that is comparable to phones from some of the bigger flagship brands. The price definitely reflects that, but it is well worth it for the features that you get. We also considered the BLU G9 and the BLU Pure View for this category, but the superior internal memory, RAM, and other specs allowed this phone to take the top spot.
BLU’s G9 is another great phone from their line. With high-performing cameras and a beautiful display, this phone is one of their best releases to date. It performs well and is responsive, and the battery isn’t going to die over a day of use. It’s a great value for the price!
The BLU G9 is one of the top BLU products that we looked at. It’s a beautiful phone that blends aesthetics with superior hardware and software capabilities. This is a true budget phone, with a price that won’t break the bank but performance that will impress you.
A fully updated OS, curved glass, and a huge display put this Android phone at the top of its class for the price point. We considered the BLU Pure View and the BLU Vivo XL4 for this spot, but the overall improved specs pushed the BLU G9 past the competition.
The Studio X8 HD is not a perfect phone by any means, but it gets the job done. It works well with video streaming apps and is compact and easy to use. It’s a great phone for travel, even if some of the functions don’t work perfectly.
The Tank II is definitely named appropriately. This basic phone is one of the most durable phones that we looked at. It’s great for kids or tweens because it can’t use data. For calling or texting, this is a great phone choice. The exterior is nicely designed. Some customers have had issues getting it to work with their carrier, though.
The BLU Z5 is a nice choice for your older relatives, younger children, and basic communications. The battery doesn’t last very long and it won’t work with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or Boost. If you are only making calls or texting, or don’t want your children using data and getting on the internet, it works well.
The BLU Z5 is a budget phone that has only the basic features that you need in a cell phone. We picked this phone as our best value because it has the best call quality and service specs for BLU phones in this price range. It’s a great first phone for your kids because it can’t access the internet and doesn’t have a functioning camera. For communication only, this is a great, durable phone.
For the Best Value category, we also considered the Diva Flip and the Tank II, but the lower price tag and better basic features edged the BLU Z5 into the top spot.
The Studio Selfie 3 looks great, but performance takes a hit with these outdated specs. The camera works nicely and can take fair photos. The price of this phone has been inflated, however. There are a lot of phones on this list that gives you more for less. It also isn’t going to last very long, as the build quality is pretty poor.
The compact BLU Diva Flex is perfect as an emergency phone, or for someone who isn’t interested in apps and other smartphone features. Unlike a lot of basic phones, it has a camera and a notification light. The buttons are easy to press and large enough to see easily.
The BLU JOY is the perfect cell phone for seniors and users with visual impairments or other health problems. It uses a unique SOS button that allows the user to immediately reach the police, ambulance, or other emergency services. The screen is clear and easy to see. If you can find a carrier that works with this phone, it’s perfect for older relatives.
JOY is BLU’s premier senior phone. Though it is marketed to older people, it can also be a great option for people with medical issues or visual impairments. The large buttons and clear display really put the BLU JOY at the top of our list for differently-abled users. The SOS button is also a nice bonus. The ability to instantly connect to emergency services can put your mind at ease for your loved ones.
We also considered the BLU Z5 and the BLU Diva Flip for their large buttons and simple layout, but BLU JOY won out because it is specifically made for seniors.
BLU’s Studio View is one of their more obscure phones. It was only produced for a short amount of time and didn’t garner much success. It has the same performance and speed issues that BLU phones from this era seem to have, though it looks absolutely stunning. It has mobile hotspot capabilities, and you can expand the memory by up to 64GB via microSD card.
The Energy X Plus is an upgrade from the previous BLU Energy, but it falls flat on features. With so much pre-installed software, you can only really install one app at a time before it’s full. The exterior of the phone is beautiful, with a rose gold backplate and a passable camera.
The BLU WIN HD LTE is BLU’s foray into Windows phones. It uses Windows 10 Mobile rather than iOS or Android operating systems, which is refreshing. It can be difficult to use, and most customers report that it didn’t last very long. It can be a great phone for traveling due to the dual SIM capability. It’s not ideal for mobile games.
BLU’s Studio XL 2 comes with a lot of features that make the price more than worth it. The beautifully modern design includes Dual SIM capabilities, as well as a great camera and a battery that will last forever. It comes with a screen protector, case, and a pair of headphones in the box.
While the BLU Studio View XL has solid specs, it suffers from performance issues that might make it frustrating to use. It’s got a basic design but comes with a case and a great camera. You can extend the internal memory by up to 64GB via microSD if you want to store more pictures or music.
This guide will help you choose which BLU phone is right for you based on value, available features, and your mobile phone carrier.
If you are looking for $800+ performance, none of the phones on our list are going to satisfy you. Adjusting your expectations might allow you to discover your new favorite cell phone.
Let’s get started.
BLU Phones are inexpensive, and sometimes quality suffers. You aren’t going to get the same build quality or performance from a BLU Phone that you might expect from a Samsung, iPhone, LG, or other top phone company.
While phones by these bigger manufacturers are almost three times the price, they are expensive for a reason. A BLU phone can be a great smartphone on a budget, but do you really need it?
If you don’t care about how your phone works and aren’t looking for a ton of features, a BLU phone is a good choice. However, you might be better off saving up for a more expensive, better-quality phone with more storage, more memory, and a better screen.
In a hurry? Here are the most important things to consider when you’re looking for a BLU phone.
| Internal Storage: | 16GB |
| RAM: | 1GB |
| Screen Size: | 5.2” |
| Battery Size: | 3000 mAh |
| Camera Resolution | 10MP |
BLU has a lot of phone options, and each phone has a different blend of features and value. We’ve hand-chosen these basic features as a starting point for your phone search.
Options: Smartphone, Flip phone, Basic
BLU sells a few different cell phone types.
The appeal for these phones is that they are simple. They are still useful for phone calls and even text messages. Some even allow you to browse the web in a super-simple browser. You can’t install apps on basic phones, and some won’t even include a camera.
A phone’s internal memory determines how much you can store on the phone. The internal memory is used for storing photos, videos, music, and all of your apps. This is the basic amount of storage space that your phone has available to use.
The more internal storage you use, the slower your phone may become. It will take longer for apps to open or load. That’s because your phone also uses your internal memory to load pages and apps. It may even store temporary versions of websites so you can access them more quickly.
Internal memory is usually measured in GigaBytes (GB). A smartphone with 16 GB of storage will be less expensive, but most phones have significantly more. 16 GB of storage is at the lower end of the current market.
Storage space is measured in KiloBits (kb), MegaBytes (MB), and GigaBytes (GB). Here is a handy explanation of how these units work together.
GigaBytes are the third-highest common unit of measurement for digital space. KiloBits (kb) are the smallest unit, and MegaBytes (MB) are in the middle. Here are some handy conversions for understanding these storage units.
As you can see, your phone’s internal memory can greatly impact how much you can use your phone. It may seem like 16GB can store quite a bit, but when you start installing games and taking photos of all of your favorite things, it can be quite limiting.
For smartphones, we recommend going with at least 32GB of internal storage, especially if you want to use a lot of applications or use your phone for listening to music. The more GB the phone’s internal storage is the better off you are.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is also measured using GigaBytes (GB). We’ve just explained how internal memory stores all of your media and information. RAM allows your phone to access that information quickly, without sorting through all of it at once.
For example, a compact disc or CD has to cycle through the same tracks in the same order every time. Each second of each song is accessed in sequential order, and you can’t cut directly to the specific second you want without significant hassle.
RAM allows your phone to access all of the data in its storage without going through the same sequential order that a CD has to when playing a song. If you want to get to a photo, for example, you won’t have to wait several minutes for the phone to sort through your music, videos, and apps to find it.
So why is more RAM a good thing? When you have more RAM, you can access things extremely quickly. You can have multiple apps open while you’re trying to find a photo, or you can play a song while you make a grocery list. RAM allows your phone to perform multiple tasks at the same time without bottlenecking the speed of any one task.
In short, more RAM means that you can do more things with your phone. Apps will run better and multi-tasking will be much easier.
How much RAM you need depends on how you plan to use your phone. 1GB is great for calls and some app usage, while 6GB is great for multi-tasking across the board. More is always better, in this case.
The size of your phone’s screen can determine how easy it is to use, and how well your phone displays websites and other information. Larger screens are, of course, easier to see than smaller ones.
Basic phones will have the smallest screens, at about 2.0” – 2.4” measured diagonally from corner to corner.
Smartphones, on the other hand, might have screens reaching up to about 6.5” diagonally from corner to corner. Smartphones need bigger screens because all of your navigation is done by touch, and the screen also contains the keyboard when texting or typing.
Battery capacity is measured in mAh, or milliAmp hours. This value determines how long the battery will last while it’s being used, and effectively tells you how much power the battery stores from a single charge.
For example, a smartphone with a 4,400 mAh will stay charged for a longer amount of time. You’ll be able to use your phone for a while before you need to charge it again.
Battery capacity values are a great way to compare phones because it can mean the difference between being able to use your phone all day or constantly having to recharge throughout the day. If you use your phone more, play games, or make a lot of phone calls, your phone’s battery is going to discharge a lot faster. If that’s the way you want to use your phone, choose one with higher battery capacity.
When it comes to this value, a larger number is always better. 3,000 mAh is a good sweet spot for budget phones and should allow you to use your phone throughout the day without needing a charge.
The front-facing camera is located above the phone’s screen. It allows you to take ‘selfie’ pictures. When using the front-facing camera, the picture from the viewfinder is displayed on the screen. This means that you can see what you’re taking a picture of and how it will look.
Using a front-facing camera for selfies or photos with friends ensures that you’re getting the perfect photo each and every time.
When you’re taking photos of your vacation, family and friends, and even photos of your day, you’re probably going to be using the rear camera on your phone. The resolution, measured in MegaPixels (MP) is a selling point for a lot of phone manufacturers. The bigger the resolution, the better your photos are going to look.
Low-resolution photos sometimes don’t display color correctly, or can’t properly sort out the edges of things in your photo. This leads to blurry photos that may be difficult to see.
When you take a photo with a high-resolution camera (10-13MP is a good middle ground for smartphones), the photos appear crisp, closer to real colors, and display more detail. Rear cameras, in most cases, have a higher resolution than front-facing cameras.
Using a MicroSD card is a great way to expand your phone’s internal memory. While you can’t use it to store apps, you can transfer photos, music, videos, and other media to the MicroSD card to keep your phone’s internal memory free.
These small cards range in size from 4GB to 256GB. Most phones can only expand their memory so much, so you can usually find a guideline for the type of MicroSD card you can use in the manual.
Usually located under the back panel or on the sides of the phone, these slots allow you to do more with your phone by providing additional memory.
Options: Micro-USB, USB-C, Other
The type of charger that your phone uses is important for charging times, most of all. Most older phones still use the Micro-USB charger, while USB-C is becoming more and more popular. Older iPhones use a proprietary charger that is unique to that device style.
When we speak of charger type, we are referring to the shape of the plug that you insert into the phone’s charging port. A micro-USB charger will be quick, but a USB-C plug will charge your phone quicker.
Other charger options include proprietary chargers and wireless charging. Wireless charging is a newer technology that allows your phone’s battery to charge by simply placing it on a charging surface with no cords required.
Options: Blue, Red, Multi, etc.
BLU offers phones in a variety of different colors. The back of the phone can be a host of different colors, though black is standard.
When choosing a color, keep in mind that you will be using this device every day. Choose the one you like best. If the phone only comes in black, you can always find a case to put on it for protection and style.
When choosing a BLU phone (or any phone that isn’t purchased directly from your carrier), you need to make sure that the phone is going to work with your current phone plan. You don’t have to get a new number and go through a ton of hassle, either. In most cases, if the phone you purchase is compatible with your carrier, you can simply take the SIM Card out of your current phone and place it in your new phone.
Unlocked phones can be a little more expensive, but they are universal and can work on mostly any carrier. The ‘lock’ refers to a restriction placed on the phone by a carrier so that the phone can only work when used with their network.
How do you check this? In the listings for each phone, there should be a section that informs you which type of network is best for the phone (GSM or CDMA). It should also tell you which carriers will work best. Here is an example:
“3G: (850/1700/1900/2100): US compatibility Nationwide on all GSM Networks including ATT, T-Mobile, Cricket, Metro PCS, Straight Talk, and others”
If the phone only states that it works on either GSM or CDMA networks, you should be able to perform a quick Google search to determine what type of network your carrier uses. The numbers listed above are essentially network sub-types and should be listed when you perform your search.
If you can’t find the information online, you can also call your phone carrier’s customer service line to find out.
Smartphones are great for most people, but what about users who experience visual impairment or have trouble operating a smartphone? If you have certain considerations, you should absolutely put them at the forefront of your phone search. You don’t want to purchase a cell phone that you aren’t going to be 100% comfortable using.
For example, people with visual impairments might be better off looking for a basic phone with larger buttons. Sometimes, even zooming in on a smartphone doesn’t help someone see it any clearer. If you have a visual impairment issue, definitely keep this in mind.
Some people have problems operating smartphones or other technologies. Age doesn’t really matter in this regard, as there are users of all ages that may find smartphones overwhelming or unnecessary. If this is the case, look for a basic phone or a flip phone. If you want a smartphone anyway, there are simple smartphones available that don’t use all of the extra features you don’t want.
Cases like these should give you an additional pause when considering your BLU phone purchase. BLU has a phone for just about every use case, and even sells basic phones that some other companies have abandoned.
BLU is known as a budget brand, so most of the phones they have available are a fraction of the cost of high-end name-brand phones. They aim to offer comparable features and standards as brands like Samsung, Apple, and LG at a reduced price so that these technologies are available for everyone.
For basic phones, you should never pay more than $20. These phones don’t have many extra features, and technology hasn’t changed that much over the last decade. You can probably push this budget for a ‘luxury’ basic phone, but those are rare.
Flip phones might run you a little more. Usually, this is because they have two screens (one on the front for notifications/time/message display and the other inside for the rest of the functions). We wouldn’t suggest paying more than $35 at the absolute most for a flip phone.
When it comes to smartphones, however, the price can get a little more complicated. BLU is a budget brand, but they are competing with companies that sell phones for between $800 and $1500. We definitely don’t recommend paying that much for a BLU phone. For a phone with great features, hearty specs, and the latest updates, we would recommend spending between $200 and $400.
