BLU Vivo Air- Thinnest, Sexiest Budget Phone Ever.

[joshwithachance]

Pros:
5.1mm thin (thinnest phone in America).
ONLY $199 UNLOCKED.
Weighs only 97 grams.
4.8" 720p Super AMOLED display.
1.7GHz Octa-core processor.
8MP main camera/5MP wide-angle front camera.
2100 MAh battery good for 4-5 hours screen on time.
Will be upgraded to Lollipop in the coming months.

Cons:
No LTE, only HSPA+ here in the U.S.
1GB of RAM (same as iPhone 6 and Plus honestly)
16GB of storage is non-expandable.

All in all, this is an extremely impressive device. The pros most definitely outweigh the cons, especially when you factor in that the beautiful thing is only $199 unlocked and effortlessly works on AT&T and T-Mobile (and their MVNOs).

 

[mclld]

Looks nice but would take the Zenfone 2 over this

 

[joshwithachance]

Looks nice but would take the Zenfone 2 over this

I like that the $199 ZenFone 2 has expandable storage and 2GB of RAM, but for some reason I still find the Vivo Air more appealing.

 

[mclld]

Both look great and I am hoping competition like this pushes Motorola to do even more with the G. I use the G and LOVE it, the battery life is amazing. The only complaint I have about my G is when listening to a podcast and browsing the web my podcast will stop. Sometimes it does it faster than other times but it will usually always happen, I am guessing it is the 1 gig of ram issue. I use Doggcatcher and thought it might be an issue with that app but I tried Pocketcasts and it does the same thing.

 

[spinedoc77]

Very nice. It's kind of sad to see just how much we are getting ripped off on hardware, if this phone was from Apple or Samsung or any other current phone maker it would be $600 easy.

 

[joshwithachance]

Very nice. It's kind of sad to see just how much we are getting ripped off on hardware, if this phone was from Apple or Samsung or any other current phone maker it would be $600 easy.

This was my immediate thought when I really looked into it over the weekend, and decided to order one. I've been wanting to downsize from my 6 Plus to the regular 6 and then found out about this beauty (with very comparable specs) for less than a third of the price.

 

[jrswizzle]

If you couldn't care less about the experience/services, devices like this are the way to go.

Personally, I pay more for my iOS devices because of the experience they provide and the way they integrate with my other devices. The level of customer service and quality is second-to-none in my opinion.

All things that go into buying an iPhone other than just the hardware itself.

Looks nice though.

 

[Savor]

Looks like the Gionee Elife S5.1 but less expensive. I see many brands in Asia, but I am still quite unfamiliar with BLU.

 

[mclld]

I personally like the experience of Android better so that isnt an issue for me

 

[AppleRobert]

Pretty close to the Samsung s3 specs give or take.

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/BLU-Vivo-Air,Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Sprint/phones/9078,7099

I would get it primarily for aesthetics/ergonomics but the Asus and HTC M9 I'm interested in are right round the corner.

 

[jrswizzle]

I personally like the experience of Android better so that isnt an issue for me

Apple (and others) don't mark up their devices by THAT much.

You pay $199 for a device like this, expect corners were cut. First things that come to mind would be camera quality, processor (MediaTek I presume), performance with respect to memory, speaker quality, display quality etc....

To compare an iPhone 6 to this device would be comparing two completely different devices with respect to hardware - despite what a spec-sheet might say. Sure it might check off some spec-sheet numbers (720p, "octa-core", 8 mp)....I'd question the performance and hardware behind those numbers.

But at $199, you aren't taking much of a risk. And it sure looks nice - my response is mainly to the poster who made the comment that consumers were being screwed by the Apples and Samsungs who price their devices higher.

 

[mclld]

I agree, but for a lot of people like me a high end device is overkill. Speaking for me, phones from the past 2-3 years have been more than sufficient for my uses and the camera on any phone is a non issue for me.

 

[jrswizzle]

I agree, but for a lot of people like me a high end device is overkill. Speaking for me, phones from the past 2-3 years have been more than sufficient for my uses and the camera on any phone is a non issue for me.

Aye - each person is different and has individual/unique use cases.

More power to you if you get what you need out of a device that costs less! I envy you (not really, my curiosity and thirst for tech dictates I buy the latest and greatest regardless lol).

By the way - did that Nexus 5 get to you ok?

 

[mattopotamus]

1GB on a phone running android and a phone running IOS is very different experiences.

 

[mclld]

Aye - each person is different and has individual/unique use cases.

More power to you if you get what you need out of a device that costs less! I envy you (not really, my curiosity and thirst for tech dictates I buy the latest and greatest regardless lol).

By the way - did that Nexus 5 get to you ok?

It was due yesterday but delayed due to ice/snow so maybe today or tomorrow

 

[jrswizzle]

It was due yesterday but delayed due to ice/snow so maybe today or tomorrow

Ahh, ok - well let me know how everything is! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[spinedoc77]

If you couldn't care less about the experience/services, devices like this are the way to go.

Personally, I pay more for my iOS devices because of the experience they provide and the way they integrate with my other devices. The level of customer service and quality is second-to-none in my opinion.

All things that go into buying an iPhone other than just the hardware itself.

Looks nice though.

I think being able to buy 3 of these versus one iPhone is all the customer service/warranty/quality I need. Plus you still get the Android "experience", ecosystem, etc which is comparable to Apple.

 

[joshwithachance]

Apple (and others) don't mark up their devices by THAT much.

You pay $199 for a device like this, expect corners were cut. First things that come to mind would be camera quality, processor (MediaTek I presume), performance with respect to memory, speaker quality, display quality etc....

To compare an iPhone 6 to this device would be comparing two completely different devices with respect to hardware - despite what a spec-sheet might say. Sure it might check off some spec-sheet numbers (720p, "octa-core", 8 mp)....I'd question the performance and hardware behind those numbers.

But at $199, you aren't taking much of a risk. And it sure looks nice - my response is mainly to the poster who made the comment that consumers were being screwed by the Apples and Samsungs who price their devices higher.

Believe it or not the reviews of this thing have been much more favorable than I expected. It could use another gig of RAM, but apparently the device is still very smooth in operation. And awkwardly it has a better front camera than the 6 and 6 Plus

Of course you don't get Apple's unmatched customer service, but you can literally buy 3 of these for less than one iPhone 6, which is where this thing becomes VERY tempting.

 

[thecurryman]

I actually have had this phone for the past 2 weeks now (and have been using it as my daily).

Phone is incredibly light and very very thin. Its almost too thin; when placing on a table or hard surface I can sometimes have difficulty picking it up. Also, the lock button is on the left side underneath the volume keys which takes some getting used to (probably a couple days). Front and back are made of glass with the metal surrounding it. It really doesn't feel like you paid $200 though. Comparing to my ip6+ it honestly feels the same if not better due to the reduced weight. The screen however is alright. Its not bad but its not really that good. It gets the job done essentially. One thing to note is that the ambient light sensor is kinda wonky and sometimes doesn't adjust properly.

In the box it comes with a screen protector, case, charger, usb cable, and headphones. I haven't used the case or screen protector but the headphones are pretty nice. I think its crazy how a $200 phone comes with more accessories out the box than a $700+ iPhone.

Software wise its at 4.4.2 which is nice but there is no word on if its getting lollipop (probably won't). There are 3 capacitive buttons. The stock launcher is alright but I would recommend changing it when you receive the phone. theres a decent amount of bloatware but most can be disabled easily. there are some cool software features which are somewhat useful but its not any thing you would lose out on if disabled (things like smart stay, fake cellphone, etc.)

My biggest gripe is the battery and speed. So I am what I would consider a heavy user. I get many emails from multiple push accounts along with lots of text/bbm/hangouts throughout the day. I do not use my phone for games, or really media use often. In order for me to get through a full day I have to have the battery saver mode on. This limits the CPU performance but otherwise the battery does not last as long. Its got a small battery which makes sense considering its a very thin phone. I use no WIFI or bluetooth and i average 3 maybe 4 hours SOT if I'm lucky. Camera is not that good either but it'll do.

Overall: for $200 its a pretty good phone. Def best build quality and physical size of any budget phone. Blows basically the moto G and E out of the water. However, battery life really isn't enough for me (especially since CPU performance must be sacrificed) so ill probably be returning the phone in a week or so (next phone will be the blackberry passport).

 

[joshwithachance]

I actually have had this phone for the past 2 weeks now (and have been using it as my daily).

Phone is incredibly light and very very thin. Its almost too thin; when placing on a table or hard surface I can sometimes have difficulty picking it up. Also, the lock button is on the left side underneath the volume keys which takes some getting used to (probably a couple days). Front and back are made of glass with the metal surrounding it. It really doesn't feel like you paid $200 though. Comparing to my ip6+ it honestly feels the same if not better due to the reduced weight. The screen however is alright. Its not bad but its not really that good. It gets the job done essentially. One thing to note is that the ambient light sensor is kinda wonky and sometimes doesn't adjust properly.

In the box it comes with a screen protector, case, charger, usb cable, and headphones. I haven't used the case or screen protector but the headphones are pretty nice. I think its crazy how a $200 phone comes with more accessories out the box than a $700+ iPhone.

Software wise its at 4.4.2 which is nice but there is no word on if its getting lollipop (probably won't). There are 3 capacitive buttons. The stock launcher is alright but I would recommend changing it when you receive the phone. theres a decent amount of bloatware but most can be disabled easily. there are some cool software features which are somewhat useful but its not any thing you would lose out on if disabled (things like smart stay, fake cellphone, etc.)

My biggest gripe is the battery and speed. So I am what I would consider a heavy user. I get many emails from multiple push accounts along with lots of text/bbm/hangouts throughout the day. I do not use my phone for games, or really media use often. In order for me to get through a full day I have to have the battery saver mode on. This limits the CPU performance but otherwise the battery does not last as long. Its got a small battery which makes sense considering its a very thin phone. I use no WIFI or bluetooth and i average 3 maybe 4 hours SOT if I'm lucky. Camera is not that good either but it'll do.

Overall: for $200 its a pretty good phone. Def best build quality and physical size of any budget phone. Blows basically the moto G and E out of the water. However, battery life really isn't enough for me (especially since CPU performance must be sacrificed) so ill probably be returning the phone in a week or so (next phone will be the blackberry passport).

BLU has promised to have Lollipop on it by June! Thanks for posting your impressions on it! I kind of want a BB Passport too, so if it doesn't work out, I'll just return it and order a PP too

Seems like such a great deal for less than $200 though. I've loved my 6 Plus, but I can't fathom this thing being SO MUCH WORSE than I'm begging to have my $900 phone back.

 

[midwestfisherma]

I think this phone would fly off the shelves if it had an SD card slot! dammit!

 

[mclld]

That is disappointing about the battery life, I couldnt go back to anything less than Moto G battery life

 

[sracer]

I really appreciate the effort the lesser named players are putting in to differentiate themselves. I'm a Sharp Aquos Crystal owner, but I can appreciate what BLU is doing.

#ShakingUpTheStatusQuo

 

[mclld]

Agreed, this can only be good for consumers. It will also put pressure on the big players to really step up their products across the board

 

[Savor]

I definitely like the design but sorta lost interest once I read MediaTek unless it is the 6595 which isn't a bad chip on the Meizu MX4. Also battery life would definitely take a hit with only 2100 mAh on this BLU. Both Gionee Elife S5.1 & Oppo R5 are thin but have terrible battery life. Gionee and Oppo are competing for the most useless spec war ever when it comes to thinness by sacrificing battery life. The Zenfone 5 has just ok battery life too. The original with 2150 mAh and not the lite model which has 2500 mAh. The one to get is the Asus Zenfone 2 esp if at 720p/3000 mAh. You might lose some ppi but the price might end up cheaper as the 1080p with 2 GB RAM is only $199. And 3k mAh can definitely be sufficient enough for a 720p display as seen from the Zenfone 6 with a 3,300 mAh but bigger 6 inch screen. Zenfone 2 will be offered in three diff fav flavors of SoC. I would go for Snapdragon first, then Intel, and then MediaTek.