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Rangomango

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2012
94
2
Well it's a 5MP wide-angle lens. I'm assuming it's most likely the same sensor as on the HTC One M8, which is pretty good. I'll find out and let you know.

Front cam is mediocre. Even though it has more MP, the iphone still takes a better picture. It comes down to software in these comparisons...

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I only have 1G on my One Mini and it's fine.

True, HTC's has a very lean skin...
 

joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 11, 2009
2,105
1,320
Finally got the phone in hand!

Immediate impression: It's absolutely stunning in person. Incredibly thin, yet solid.

Things I like:
Feels great in the hand; perfect size.
So beautiful. It could literally come from Apple.
The screen POPS, as expected with it being AMOLED.
The cameras are much more impressive than I expected.
Installed the Google Now Launcher and it's very responsive.
It comes with a case, screen protector, AND headphones.
IT WAS LESS THAN $200.

Things I don't like:
The cameras wash out colors a bit.
Battery life could potentially be an issue, but I'll give it a few days.
Needs a 32GB option.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
From the reviewer at Androidpolice:

"I'll keep this brief, but I haven't experienced any slowdowns or any lag at all during my time with the Air. I never notice that it only has 1GB of RAM - in fact, it provides a better experience than my 2014 Moto X or Nexus 5 (mostly because of Lollipop's overly-aggressive memory management). I'm both pleased and shocked."

He decided to use it as his daily driver for awhile to give a further feedback instead of first impressions, thus the above quote.

We'll see if Josh keeps it. Obviously the price is very reasonable considering it is unlocked to boot but, ...

BTW, I saw his recent take on it as well on Amazon. Kudos for taking the time to give impressions as most folks don't bother.
 
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Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Just out of curiosity, what do you and others who need LTE need that speed for on a cell phone? HSPA should be good enough for the max resolution on a smartphone screen. File sharing? Tethering?
.


Everything my cable connection at home does,.

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HSPA+ is good enough for 99% of smartphone users honestly.

Poor standard for evaluating technology.
 

ravenvii

macrumors 604
Mar 17, 2004
7,585
493
Melenkurion Skyweir
Just saw a picture of it next to an iPhone 6. Dayum, I can't believe how much thinner it is than the iPhone 6!

Amazing for a rebranded device from a unknown manufacturer in China.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Everything my cable connection at home does,.

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Poor standard for evaluating technology.

Anything specifically? I just can't imagine why someone would need that kind of bandwidth on a cell phone, but that's why I'm asking as everyones needs are different.
 
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joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 11, 2009
2,105
1,320
From the reviewer at Androidpolice:

"I'll keep this brief, but I haven't experienced any slowdowns or any lag at all during my time with the Air. I never notice that it only has 1GB of RAM - in fact, it provides a better experience than my 2014 Moto X or Nexus 5 (mostly because of Lollipop's overly-aggressive memory management). I'm both pleased and shocked."

He decided to use it as his daily driver for awhile to give a further feedback instead of first impressions, thus the above quote.

We'll see if Josh keeps it. Obviously the price is very reasonable considering it is unlocked to boot but, ...

BTW, I saw his recent take on it as well on Amazon. Kudos for taking the time to give impressions as most folks don't bother.

I agree 100% on the comment of the Vivo Air providing a better experience than the Moto X 2014 and Nexus 5. This thing is SMOOTH. I love it, and that's blowing my mind as I have never owned a phone that wasn't a flagship :eek:
 

Savor

Suspended
Jun 18, 2010
3,742
918
Actually the sexiest budget phone is the Sharp Aquos Crystal. It is quite tempting to get a $99 prepaid one from Boost. It doesn't have the specs of the BLU, but it is more available, cheaper, and sleek. One reviewer on YouTube even said it might be the sexiest looking phone only with the HTC One M8 close to its level. It really does look quite futuristic. If only they offered it with through T-Mobile and AT&T prepaid.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Actually the sexiest budget phone is the Sharp Aquos Crystal. It is quite tempting to get a $99 prepaid one from Boost. It doesn't have the specs of the BLU, but it is more available, cheaper, and sleek. One reviewer on YouTube even said it might be the sexiest looking phone only with the HTC One M8 close to its level. It really does look quite futuristic. If only they offered it with through T-Mobile and AT&T prepaid.

I wouldn't even think twice in getting the sharp over the Blu. That sharp is an amazing looking phone. Its a crying shame there is no GSM version though (and a mystery as well).
 

joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 11, 2009
2,105
1,320
Actually the sexiest budget phone is the Sharp Aquos Crystal. It is quite tempting to get a $99 prepaid one from Boost. It doesn't have the specs of the BLU, but it is more available, cheaper, and sleek. One reviewer on YouTube even said it might be the sexiest looking phone only with the HTC One M8 close to its level. It really does look quite futuristic. If only they offered it with through T-Mobile and AT&T prepaid.

I forgot all about the Aquos Crystal! Probably because there's no GSM variant honestly. Which is still so baffling to me. I still find the Vivo Air more appealing aesthetically though.
 
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AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
My Sharp has a white back cover which hinders its looks. Of course the front is what I look at so really no biggie but this Vivo I know I would give the nod to for looks
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Everything. Netflix. File transfers. Gaming... Everything

I still don't get it. HSPA has plenty of bandwidth to transfer Netflix. Plenty of bandwidth for gaming on the smartphone as well. How large of a file can you transfer with the small capacity of smartphones, even with a microSD card?
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
I still don't get it. HSPA has plenty of bandwidth to transfer Netflix. Plenty of bandwidth for gaming on the smartphone as well. How large of a file can you transfer with the small capacity of smartphones, even with a microSD card?

HSPA + is not plenty of bandwidth. HSPA+ has crap latency. And my phone is my Internet for all mobile devices.
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
And you are that 1% that needs LTE. Most people don't use their phones as modems for every device they own.

I think one can justify a d-list device purchase however they like, but no way would I ever take a step backwards and make a compromise on my device experience for the sake of something cheap and not all that impressively spec'ed.

There is a correlation between network speed, latency and experience.

You call it the 1%. Perhaps. To each his own, but I would rather not have to make wonky justifications and compromises for a purchase to make sense.

No LTE, no buy.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,078
19,077
US
I think one can justify a d-list device purchase however they like, but no way would I ever take a step backwards and make a compromise on my device experience for the sake of something cheap and not all that impressively spec'ed.

There is a correlation between network speed, latency and experience.

You call it the 1%. Perhaps. To each his own, but I would rather not have to make wonky justifications and compromises for a purchase to make sense.

No LTE, no buy.
I feel the same way. If cheap is the goal...why not the LTE 4G Moto G?
It is the same price. Come with the latest Android OS and guaranteed to get the latest updates very quickly.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0NS0P4...e=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00K0NS0P4
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
HSPA + is not plenty of bandwidth. HSPA+ has crap latency. And my phone is my Internet for all mobile devices.

Should be plenty and then some bandwidth for Netflix at current smartphone screen resolutions. I don't know about latency though, can any one else chime in if latency is an issue? I highly doubt it, I ran my Note 4 on HSPA only before I figured out how to change the APN settings to run on ATT and was able to stream everything including sling TV from my house over cellular, Netflix, HBO to go, youtube, etc.

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It's hard to find stats since there are so many variables with HSPA+ vs LTE, carrier, country, implementation, etc. Reading there they note both have 10ms latency. I'm genuinely curious as I never really paid attention to the differences.http://www.unwiredinsight.com/2013/evolved-hspa-lte-advanced-overview

Interesting comparison of LTE vs HSPA+ latencies with US networks. Article is dated though, about a year old. LTE isn't that much lower, maybe 15-20% ish. http://www.fiercewireless.com/speci...how-did-verizon-att-sprint-and-t-mobile-compa

Is it possible they left out LTE because they scrimped on the battery due to the thinness? Isn't LTE more battery hungry than HSPA+? I suppose everything is a trade off, thinness or fastest network. The Moto G is pretty thick so it can take the battery hit. Latency also seems to be related to the number of users, with so many on LTE now I wonder if it's still an issue with much less users.
 
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spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I feel the same way. If cheap is the goal...why not the LTE 4G Moto G?
It is the same price. Come with the latest Android OS and guaranteed to get the latest updates very quickly.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0NS0P4...e=df0&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00K0NS0P4

Yeah the Moto G seems like a better choice overall. If you want thin and a wow factor then the Blu is nice, but to a certain extent you have tradeoffs such as LTE and RAM for that nice thin form factor.
 
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