The Blu Vivo X5 and Vivo XL5 are the newest blu phones available, and the best BLU phones with exceptional battery life. If you’re shopping for a new Blu phone at any price range, then our buyers guide will help you buy the best mobile phone for your exact budget.
The Miami-based company BLU has established itself as a credible budget phone manufacturer. Their products are primarily aimed at people living in developing countries but they have released a number of competitive smartphones over the years. In fact, the company has become the number one provider of unlocked smartphones in the United States. You can be sure that there is one for your budget.
If you are looking for an affordable phone that offers the right mix of up-to-date hardware and software features, check out this list of the ten best BLU phones currently in the market. All of the products on this list are under $200 and some even go for as low as $50. Whether you are more interested in quad-camera smartphones or octa-core processors, this list has you covered.
Contents of this Page
BLU G90 – Newest Blu Phone
Date Released: June 24, 2020
Operating System: Android 10
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.5 inches/ 720 x 1600 pixels
Main Cameras: 16 MP(wide), 8 MP, (ultrawide), 2 MP(depth)
Selfie Camera: 13 MP
Storage: 64GB
RAM: 4GB
CPU: Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
Battery: 4000 mAh
As the frontrunner on unlocked phones in the United States, BLU has recently unveiled its very first Android 10 smartphone. The BLU G90 is the successor of the highly popular BLU G9, so it is no wonder that this phone has already piqued the interest of techies everywhere. As usual, this phone sits on a very competitive and attractive price tag.
Measuring at 6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches, this phone is slim and pretty sleek. It is also lightweight at just 185g, so putting it inside your pocket or purse is no problem at all. Design-wise, it looks charming, without the unnecessary shenanigans. Aside from Black and White, this smartphone comes in two more color variations Magenta, Blue. So, you will have unique choices if you don’t like basic colors.
On performance, this smartphone is quite powerful for its price. Powered by a MediaTek Helio A25 Octa-core processor, you can be sure that this phone will have no problem running modern apps. It also has a 4GB ram and 64GB internal memory. If you like, you can expand its memory as this phone has a microSDXC slot. Now there is no stopping you from downloading apps and saving other files.
The display is also sharp and crisp and quite bright, 720 x 1600 resolution with over 16M colors. The screen size is 6.5 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with an 81.0% screen-to-body ratio.
The BLU G90 has a triple camera on the rear that consists of 16 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), and 2 MP (depth). For all you selfie lovers out there, the front camera is also pretty decent at 13 MP. It also features a LED flash, panorama, and HDR. For videos, it can do a 1080p at 30fps recording.
Unfortunately, the sensors only include a rear-mounted fingerprint, an accelerometer, and proximity, it does not have a gyroscope. The battery life is also not that much at only 4000 mAh battery, with 10W charging.
BLU G9 Pro Review
Date Released: August 2019
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie Upgradable to Android 10
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.3” 1080×2340 px
Main Cameras: 16 MP with 5 MP Depth Sensor and 20 MP Wide-Angle Lens
Selfie Camera: 24 MP Wide-Angle Lens
Storage: 128 GB
RAM: 4 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 4000 mAh
The BLU G9 Pro is the newest release from the company before the launch the BOLD sub-brand. It is a successor to the base model that introduces several major improvements and new features that are usually reserved for more expensive devices. The most notable among these refinements include a crisper display, a triple camera setup, a faster chipset, and wireless charging.
As a mid-range smartphone, the build quality and features of the BLU G9 Pro stands out in its price range. It is rare for a device this inexpensive to have impeccable design along with one of the fastest charging rates available today. Combine that with the promised upgrade to Android 10 and at least two years of security updates, and the G9 Pro is an absolute steal. It is a mid-range phone that stacks up well against devices twice more expensive.
BLU G9 Review
Date Released: May 2019
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.3” 720×1520 px
Main Cameras: 13 MP with 2 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 13 MP
Storage: 64 GB
RAM: 4 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 4000 mAh
The BLU G9 is the second smartphone released by the company this year and it is already one of the best BLU phones on the market. It is one of the few phones in their lineup with decent hardware at an inexpensive price. For less than $180, you get a big screen, great battery life, and an elegant mirror-metallic gradient finish.
The G9 stands out because it does not resemble the other smartphones in the BLU lineup. It is on par with modern devices in terms of design and hardware. Aside from the eye-catching exterior, the phone packs impressive hardware. It houses a quad-core Mediatek Helio P22 processor with 4 GB of RAM. The 64 GB of storage should also be enough to store apps as well as photos and videos taken from the 13 MP main sensor and front-facing camera.
Blu Vivo X5 and Vivo XL5
Best Battery Life Blu Phones
Date Released: July 2019 (XL5) / September 2019 (X5)
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.3″ 720 x 1520 (XL5) / 5.7″ 720 x 1440 (X5)
Main Cameras: 13 MP
Selfie Camera: 13 MP (XL5) / 8 MP (X5)
Storage: 64GB
RAM: 3GB
CPU: Octa-core 1.6 GHz
Battery: 4000 mAh (XL5) / 2800 mAh (X5)
BLU is having a momentum because just after announcing the G9 Pro they recently unveiled the Vivo X5 and Vivo XL5. Though both are listed as mid-range phones, they are priced as entry-level devices. At first glance, The Vivo X5 and Vivo XL5 share features, however, these two phones have their own personalities.
Both phones are run by Android 9 Pie along with a few pre-loaded apps. They are also both powered by an octa-core 1.6GHz processor along with a 3GB RAM plus a 64GB internal storage. If you want more space for your apps, you may do so through a microSD card slot that allows for up to 64GB extra storage. They also share a Bluetooth 4.1 support, rear fingerprint scanners, and the stylish leatherback covers with stitch-like design along the edges.
Now, this is where the two phones vary. The X5 sports a 5.7-inch display and a 720 x 1440 pixel resolution. While its bigger sibling, the XL5, is equipped with a 6.3-inch display and a slightly bigger resolution at 720 x 1520 pixels. They also differ on the battery as the X5 runs on a removable 2,800mAh battery. On the other hand, the XL5 has a 4,000mAH battery, and it is non-removable.
As for its cameras, the Vivo XL5 and X5 have a pair of 13-megapixel shooters, one of which is for depth sensing, plus both have an LED flash. On the front side the XL5 sports a 13MP selfie camera while the X5 has an 8MP front camera.
BLU Vivo XI+ Review
Date Released: August 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo Upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.2” 1080×2246 px
Main Camera: 16 MP with 5 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 16 MP
Storage: 128 GB
RAM: 6 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 3050 mAh
The BLU Vivo XI+ was released a year ago, but it still holds up as one of the best smartphones from the company. It flaunts a stunning glass and metal exterior that closely resembles the OnePlus 6. For around $200, you get flagship features like Qi wireless charging, a back-mounted fingerprint sensor, and even facial recognition.
The Vivo XI+ is packed with an octa-core Mediatek Helio P60 chipset paired with 6 GB of RAM and a whopping 128 GB of storage. It can handle basic tasks like email, web surfing, and social media posting without a problem. Battery life on the device is also exceptional. It can easily last a full day with roughly 25% of juice by the end of the night.
You may be turned off by the fact that this phone does not come with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, but it does come with an adapter. Even though it is slightly outdated, it is still one of the best BLU phones to buy today.
BLU Vivo XL4 Review
Date Released: December 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.2” 720×1520 px
Main Cameras: 13 MP with 2 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 13 MP
Storage: 32 GB
RAM: 3 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 4000 mAh
The BLU Vivo XL4 is a budget smartphone that can pack a punch. It comes with impressive features such as a high-quality camera setup, a fingerprint sensor, and an overall smooth user interface experience.
The design of the Vivo XL4 follows suit with the latest flagship devices with a notch on top and rounded edges. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio P22 processor and 3 GB of RAM which are enough to ensure a pleasant experience even with games like Minecraft. If you are worried about the measly 32 GB of storage, you can expand it with up to 128 GB with the microSD slot.
The cameras on the Vivo XL4 perform decent enough and are well worth the price for a budget phone. Battery life is also exceptional thanks to the large 4000 mAh battery. It is the BLU phone with the best battery life along with the G9. The only downside to this device is that it still uses Micro-USB instead of Type-C. Other than that, it is easily the best BLU phone under $150.
BLU Vivo XI Review
Date Released: September 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo Upgradable to Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 5.9” 720×1520 px
Main Camera: 16 MP with 5 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 16 MP
Storage: 32 GB
RAM: 3 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 3000 mAh
The BLU Vivo XI is the predecessor of the Vivo XI+. This smartphone sports the same classy design with a few hardware modifications to accommodate a lower price point. It comes with Android 8.0 out of the box and is powered by the Mediatek Helio P22 MT6762 processor along with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of expandable storage.
The cameras on the Vivo XI perform similar to the Vivo XI+ so there is no downgrade in this department. Battery life is only slightly worse than its successor and can easily get you through a full day of moderate use. For nearly $40 less, the Vivo XI is a good alternative to the Vivo XI+.
BLU G70 Review
Date Released: January 2020
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.4” 720 x 1560 px
Main Camera: 13 MP with 2 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 8 MP
Storage: 32 GB
RAM: 2 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 2.0 GHz
Battery: 4000 mAh
The BLU G70 is one of the latest devices released by the company, and it shows their dedication to price and performance. This smartphone sports a punch-hole camera similar to those of expensive flagships for a fraction of a cost. Additionally, it comes with a powerful octa-core processor, a high-resolution display, and a long-lasting battery. While the G70 could use more RAM, it’s hard to complain since it is priced so well. You also have the option to wait for the G80, which should be unveiled later this year with more powerful hardware and dual punch-hole cameras.
BLU G6 Review
Date Released: July 2019
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie
Screen Size/Resolution: 5.7” 720×1440 px
Main Cameras: 13 MP
Selfie Camera: 8 MP
Storage: 64 GB
RAM: 3 GB
CPU: Octa-Core 1.6 GHz
Battery: 2800 mAh
The BLU G6 is one of the most recent releases from the company. The main upside of this device is the fact that it runs the latest version of Android right out of the box. It is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A entry-level octa-core chipset along with 3 GB of RAM.
The G6 has 64 GB of internal storage that is expandable up to 128 GB with microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC cards. Battery life on this phone is not the most reliable of the bunch as it only has a 2800 mAh battery that can last over five hours on medium to heavy use.
Overall, the G6 has impressive software but has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to hardware.
BLU Vivo Go 6.0 Review
Date Released: December 2018
Operating System: Android 9.0 Pie (Go Edition)
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.0” 720×1440 px
Main Camera: 8 MP with 0.3 MP Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 5 MP
Storage: 16 GB
RAM: 1 GB
CPU: Quad-Core 1.5 GHz
Battery: 2600 mAh
The BLU Vivo Go 6.0 is another budget smartphone with up-to-date features but significantly low-end hardware. It has a large screen and comes with the latest version of Android right out of the box. The display is great for watching videos and basic games. However, the phone’s chipset and memory can struggle with other tasks.
The Vivo Go 6.0 is powered by the low-grade Mediatek MT6739 processor, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of expandable storage. The rear camera setup on this device is also lackluster but it is decent enough for its value. It is the top contender for the best BLU phone under $100.
BLU Tank Xtreme Review
Date Released: January 2017
Operating System: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
Screen Size/Resolution: 5.5 inches 720 x 1280 px
Main Cameras: 13MP+ Depth Sensor
Selfie Camera: 8 MP
Storage: 32 GB
RAM: 2 GB
CPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
Battery: 4200 mAh
If you are wondering what kind of smartphone the BLU Tank Xtreme is to earn its name, then read on. This smartphone looks like a tank and operates like one. The design is super rugged and boxy, perfect for adventurers who are always on the go. This smartphone is built for exploring nature or braving the waves. This phone can keep up with your lifestyle.
The BLU Tank Xtreme sports a bright 5.5-inch 720 x 1280 screen. It is clear, fluid, and responsive. Under the hood, it is powered by Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 and 2 GB RAM. The OS is a bit outdated, but it still performs. The battery life is also robust as it is powered by a 4200 mAh battery. It also has a fingerprint sensor so you can be sure that your files are secured. The camera is nothing to be excited about if you love taking selfies, but more than enough for casual snapshots.
Though it does not have the most advanced specs, the BLU Tank Xtreme shines in terms of build quality. BLU has made sure to design this smartphone to be super sturdy that it can survive in any condition. This phone is simply impenetrable. You can submerge it to up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes without batting an eyelash. If you are a bit clumsy and prone to dropping things, then fear not the BLU Tank Xtreme got your back. This phone is shock resistant and can survive drops that will obliterate other smartphones thanks to its rugged housing design.
BLU Grand M2 Review
Date Released: October 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition)
Screen Size/Resolution: 5.2” 720×1280 px
Main Camera: 8 MP
Selfie Camera: 5 MP
Storage: 16 GB
RAM: 1 GB
CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz
Battery: 2600 mAh
The BLU Grand M2 2018 was released around the same time as the Vivo 6.0 Go. It is driven by the low-end Mediatek MT6580 chipset, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of expandable storage. For around the same price as C6L, the Grand M2 2018 has the same battery life, a smaller screen, a weaker processor, and less storage space. If you’re looking for a budget smartphone below the $80 price range, the C6L would be a better choice but the Grand M2 2018 gets the job done nonetheless. It still belongs on this list as one of the best cheap BLU phones in the market.
BLU Advance L4 Review
Date Released: September 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition)
Screen Size/Resolution: 4.0” 480×800 px
Main Camera: 5 MP
Selfie Camera: 2 MP
Storage: 8 GB
RAM: 512 MB
CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz
Battery: 1300 mAh
The BLU Advance L4 is an excellent choice for people on a tight budget or those looking for an essentials-only smartphone. It is one of the least sophisticated models of the company in recent years, powered by the generic Mediatek MT6580 chipset, a primitive 512 MB of RAM and 8 GB of expandable storage.
The Advance L4 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box and comes with 1300 mAh battery. It features a small 4-inch screen that makes it ideal for single-hand use. If you want a low-cost and basic smartphone from a reputable company, the Advance L4 is one of the best affordable BLU phones for you.
BLU Studio X8 HD 2019 Review
Date Released: February 2019
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition)
Screen Size/Resolution: 5.0” 720×1280 px
Main Camera: 8 MP
Selfie Camera: 5 MP
Storage: 8 GB
RAM: 1 GB
CPU: Quad-Core 1.3 GHz
Battery: 2000 mAh
The BLU Studio X8 HD 2019 is one of the four smartphones on this list released this year. Despite its recent release, it is the cheapest phone among the bunch. For $50, you get up-to-date software with decent performance. The device is powered by the Mediatek MT6580 chipset, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of expandable storage. One of the most common complaints about this phone is the poor speaker quality, but you can buy a decent pair of earphones to fix this issue. If you are worried about the measly 8 GB of internal storage, you can expand it up to 64 GB using a micro SD card.
The Studio X8 HD may be cheap, but it belongs on this list of the best phones from BLU.
BLU R2 Plus 2019 – 6.2 inches HD Unlocked Smartphone
Date Released: December 13, 2019
Operating System: Android
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.2 inches / 720 x 1520 resolution
Main Camera: 13 MP + 2 MP
Selfie Camera: 8 MP
Storage: 16 GB internal memory
RAM: 2 GB RAM
CPU: Octa-core 1.3 GHz
Battery: 3000 mAh
The BLU R2 Plus is packed inside an elegant black and gold box that highlights everything you need to know about the device.
The smartphone is safely tucked under a plastic screen protector to prevent damage during shipping.
Inside the box, you will find a clear case– pretty cool considering the phone’s back is reflective. The package also includes a data and charging cable, a SIM ejection tool, a manual, and a BLU sticker.
The R2 Plus features dual down-firing speakers and a noise-canceling microphone. It has a Mini USB port and a 3.5 mm jack for your audio devices. Finally, you will find the SIM tray and the textured power button on the right side of the phone.
The R2 Plus has 16 GB of system memory for all your files, photos, and videos. Unfortunately, it isn’t an ideal gaming phone since it has only 2 GB of RAM. The rear dual-camera setup has 13 MP + 2 MP, while the front camera has 8 MP.
Overall, the R2 Plus is an excellent budget pick for anyone who needs a basic smartphone.
BLU Studio Mega 2018-6.0” HD Unlocked Smartphone with Dual Main Camera
Date Released: October 2018
Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition)
Screen Size/Resolution: 6.17 x 2.96 x 0.33 in / 720 x 1440 pixels
Main Camera: 13 MP
Selfie Camera: 8 MP
Storage: 16 GB internal memory
RAM: 1 GB RAM
CPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
Battery: 2600 mAh
The BLU Studio Mega 2018 is equipped with some of the most advanced technology packed in an elegant frame to excel in performance and aesthetics. It comes with a glass screen protector and a transparent plastic casing to keep the device in mint condition and highlight the reflective exterior. The other contents of the package include the charging adapter and cable, user manual, and SIM ejector tool.
The Studio Mega 2018 has a curved screen to deliver a premium feel. It also has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenience and security.
The Studio Mega 2018 also shines in the camera department, with an impressive 13 MP primary camera and 8 MP selfie camera. However, BLU had to cut some corners to keep the price of this device down. It only has 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage space, so you can’t expect to play intensive games or multitask on this smartphone.
Furthermore, it has a battery capacity of only 2600 mAh, so it won’t last long. But if you want a mobile phone that you can use for essential tasks like web browsing, social media, and emails, this option is worth considering.
BLU Studio View XL Review
I didn’t get a chance to test out this specific product, but this person’s youtube review does a great job at explaining more about it.
Why It Is Safe To Trust BLU Phones Now
BLU has been producing some of the most affordable smartphones over the past few years. The company has overcome security scares and is now one of the country’s leading low-cost smartphone brands. It may not have wholly regained the market’s trust yet, but considering that it has been quite some time since any issues have arisen, it may be time to leave it all behind and enjoy the features these products have to offer.
BLU Phone Series in a Nutshell
Advance Series | These are low-end devices that have four-inch displays. |
Studio Series | These mobile phones feature Android 4.4.2 upgradable to 5.0.2 Lollipop. They support 4G HSPA and LTE networks and are known for their durability. |
Energy Series | Mobile phones in this series generally have longer-lasting batteries than mobile phones under the Studio Series. |
Dash Series | Released in 2013, the Dash Series has smartphones that start at $50. |
Grand Series | The mobile phones in this series are very similar to those in the Dash Series. However, they have larger displays. |
Neo Series | Mobile phones in this series are compact low to mid-range handsets, with the smallest device having a 3.5-inch display. |
Life Series | Life Series mobile phones are high-end devices with premium features like fingerprint sensors, 2K displays, and powerful chipsets. |
Pure Series | BLU mobile phones under the Pure Series are the brand’s highest-end devices. Released in August 2016, the BLU Pure XP is known for having a 3D touch display. |
Tank Xtreme Series | BLU mobile phones under this series are known for their water and dust-resistant features. |
R Series | Amazon partnered with BLU to produce the R Series mobile phones. These devices have a starting price of $50 with Amazon Prime. |
S Series | Released in September 2017, S Series mobile phones were BLU’s first handsets compatible with Sprint and other CDMA carriers. |
Vivo Series | Vivo Series mobile phones are mid to high-end devices. The Vivo 4.3 was dubbed the world’s first dual-SIM smartphone with a Super AMOLED Plus screen. |
Final Thoughts: Best Blu Phones 2021
BLU has been on a roll by releasing reliable smartphones at affordable prices. If you are on a budget and on the hunt for a cheap phone that can keep up with your demands, we are certain that one of our picks is well-suited for you. Which BLU phone do you look forward to trying out? Let us know in the comments section!
1. BLU G90 – Newest Blu Phone
2. BLU G9 Pro -6.3” Full HD Smartphone with Triple Main Camera, 128GB+4GB RAM -Nightfall
3. BLU G9-6.3” HD+ Infinity Display Smartphone, 64GB+4GB RAM -Blue
4. BLU VIVO X5-5.7″ HD Display Smartphone, 64GB+3GB RAM -Black
5. BLU Vivo XL5-6.3″ HD Display Smartphone, 64GB+ 3GB RAM- Black
6. BLU VIVO XI+ – 6.2″ Full HD+ Smartphone GSM Unlocked, 128GB+6GB RAM, AI Dual Cameras -Silver
7. BLU Vivo XL4 6.2″ HD Display Smartphone 32Gb+3Gb RAM Black
8. BLU Vivo XI V0330WW 32GB Unlocked GSM Phone w/Dual 16MP + 5MP Camera – Black
9. BLU G6 5.7” HD Widescreen Display Android V.9 Pie Smartphone 64GB+3GB RAM -Black
10. BLU Tank Xtreme – Rugged 5.5” GSM Unlocked Smartphone -Black