BLU Quattro 45 HD Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Network and Connectivity

The BLU Quattro 4.5 HD utilizes GSM and HSPA technologies, making it compatible with 2G and 3G bands. It supports a wide range of frequencies including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 for 2G, and HSDPA 850, 900, 1700, 1900, and 2100 for 3G. The device offers HSPA speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps for downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads. This provides users with relatively fast connectivity for surfing the web and streaming media, though it lacks support for 4G LTE, which might be a disadvantage for users requiring faster internet speeds. The device also comes equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port for wired connectivity.

Design and Build

In terms of design, the BLU Quattro 4.5 HD features dimensions of 134 x 67 x 10.3 mm and weighs 148 grams, offering a balance between portability and ease of use. It comes with a Mini-SIM slot, a form factor that was widely used at the time of its release. The phone's screen-to-body ratio is approximately 62.2%, which translates to moderately large bezels by modern standards. Although it has been discontinued, its design was considered sleek for its time, and it was released exclusively in black, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance.

Display

The device sports a 4.5-inch Super IPS LCD2 display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 326 ppi. This offers sharp images and vibrant colors, providing a good viewing experience. It also features Corning Gorilla Glass 2, giving added protection against scratches and minor impacts. While the screen is not the largest available, it strikes a reasonable compromise between size and convenience, ensuring that the phone remains manageable for one-handed use while still offering adequate visual real estate for multimedia consumption.

Performance

Under the hood, the BLU Quattro 4.5 HD is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor and a ULP GeForce GPU. This setup renders the phone capable of handling basic multitasking and running numerous applications smoothly. While it may not compete with today's high-end processors, at the time of its release, the device was considered powerful enough for gaming and demanding applications. The device is equipped with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. However, it lacks a card slot for memory expansion, placing some constraints on users who wish to store a large volume of media or apps.

Camera

The main camera on the BLU Quattro 4.5 HD is an 8 MP shooter accompanied by an LED flash, which supports autofocus and video recording at 1080p with stereo sound at 24fps. This permits it to snatch decent quality photos and videos, adequate for everyday use but not competitive with contemporary camera technology. The front-facing camera is 1.3 MP, catering to basic video calls and selfies, albeit at a lower resolution. Though it may not dazzle camera enthusiasts, it delivers enough functionality for standard social media uploads and personal usage.

Audio and Multimedia

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker, a 3.5mm audio jack for standard headphones, and stereo FM radio. While these features might seem basic today, they remain essential for users interested in traditional media consumption methods. The audio quality is satisfactory, but not extraordinary, which is typical for smartphones of this era.

Software and Interface

The BLU Quattro 4.5 HD runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and is upgradable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). This provides users access to a wide range of applications available on the Google Play Store and supports user-friendly interface customizations intrinsic to the Android ecosystem. However, the absence of further updates beyond Android 4.1 limits its compatibility with newer applications requiring later versions of the operating system.

Battery Life

It is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, which provides a stand-by time of up to 750 hours on 2G and up to 700 hours on 3G. The talk time reaches up to 14 hours on 2G and 12 hours on 3G, delivering reliable performance throughout the day with moderate use. Even though the battery's capacity may seem inadequate by today's standards, it offers functionality for users who charge their phone nightly.

Sensors and Additional Features

The phone is equipped with standard sensors such as accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, essential for gaming and navigation applications. It supports various communication standards, including GPS for location services, though it lacks NFC capability. Its connectivity suite comprises Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, ensuring strong and versatile wireless communication.

Conclusion

With an original market price of about 260 EUR, the BLU Quattro 4.5 HD offered various compelling features for its time, such as a robust chipset, respectable display, and adequate camera specifications. Though discontinued, its balance of performance, display quality, and functionality remains noteworthy for those seeking a retro device or a basic smartphone capable of everyday tasks.