Price and specifications of BLU Elite 3.8 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of BLU Elite 3.8

The BLU Elite 3.8 is a smartphone that was launched in July 2012 and released in August of the same year. It features a classic design with dual SIM capabilities, offering users flexibility in managing multiple numbers. Although it is a discontinued model, it is remembered for its solid build and essential functionalities.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 120 x 60 x 11.3 mm and a weight of 137 g, the BLU Elite 3.8 is compact and easy to hold. The device sports a minimalist design with a touchscreen occupying about 57.1% of the front fascia. Available in classic black and white, it offers a simple yet elegant look. The build emphasizes practicality, making it a reliable companion for everyday use.

Display

The 3.8-inch IPS LCD screen provides a satisfactory viewing experience with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This resolution results in a pixel density of approximately 246 ppi, ensuring decent clarity for text and images. The display is apt for basic multimedia consumption and app usage, aligning with the needs of entry-level smartphone users from its era.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU and Adreno 200 GPU, the BLU Elite 3.8 delivers smooth performance for light tasks. It comes with 512MB of RAM, adequate for running the Android Gingerbread operating system, which can be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich. Although not a powerhouse, the device handles basic smartphone tasks effectively.

Camera Capabilities

The device features a 5 MP autofocus rear camera with an LED flash, providing decent photo quality for its time. It supports video recording at 480p@30fps. For selfies and video calls, there's a VGA front camera, which meets basic communication needs but is not designed for high-quality photography.

Memory and Storage

The BLU Elite 3.8 is equipped with 1GB of internal storage complemented by 512MB RAM. It includes a dedicated microSDHC slot for expandable storage, allowing users to increase space for apps, photos, and media files. This flexibility caters to the storage needs that arise over time, especially with a modest internal memory.

Battery Life

The smartphone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1600 mAh battery, delivering satisfactory performance for its hardware. The battery life offers up to 20 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 10 hours on 3G. Standby times are up to 550 hours on 2G and 500 hours on 3G, reflecting efficient power management for day-to-day usage without frequent charging.

Connectivity Features

Connectivity options on the BLU Elite 3.8 include GSM and HSPA technology catering to 2G and 3G bands. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. Users can enjoy GPS and A-GPS for navigation and location services, along with stereo FM radio support for entertainment.

Additional Features

The device incorporates sensors like accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, contributing to a range of functionalities in various applications. The loudspeaker and 3.5mm jack provide satisfactory audio output, meeting basic audio playback and communication requirements.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the BLU Elite 3.8 serves as a noteworthy example of budget smartphone offerings from the early 2010s. Its design, basic functionality, dual SIM support, and reasonable performance established it as a practical choice for users seeking a simple, reliable device for communication and basic multimedia tasks. Though outdated by today’s standards, it remains significant in showcasing the evolution of smartphone technology.