BLU R1 HD InDepth Review of Specs Pricing & ProsCons

Overview

The BLU R1 HD is an Android smartphone that was released in June 2016. It is designed to be an affordable yet feature-rich option for users who are looking for a capable device without the high cost. The phone was discontinued but is still available in various markets. It is aimed at providing a solid experience with essential smartphone features and adequate performance for everyday tasks.

Design and Build

The BLU R1 HD sports a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 143.5 x 72 x 8.7 mm, making it slim and easy to hold. Weighing just 142 grams, it’s light enough for comfortable handling yet has a sturdy build. The device features a dual SIM slot supporting micro-SIM cards, ideal for users needing to manage two phone numbers or separate business and personal contacts.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, offering vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and an approximate pixel density of 294 ppi, it delivers sharp and clear visuals suitable for watching videos, browsing the internet, and playing games. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing scratch resistance and durability against everyday wear and tear.

Performance

Under the hood, the BLU R1 HD is powered by the Mediatek MT6735 chipset. Featuring a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-T720 GPU, it offers smooth performance for a variety of tasks. The phone is available in two memory configurations: 8GB of storage with 1GB RAM or 16GB of storage with 2GB RAM, both of which include a dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage. The BLU R1 HD runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, providing a stable and user-friendly interface.

Camera

The device includes an 8 MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, and support for features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR, ensuring good quality photos in various lighting conditions. The main camera is capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. The selfie camera features a 5 MP sensor with an LED flash, allowing for better low-light selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The BLU R1 HD includes a non-removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery. This capacity provides up to 600 hours of standby time on a 2G network, up to 500 hours on 3G, and up to 24 hours of talk time on 2G networks, or 15 hours on 3G. These figures suggest a device capable of full-day usage on a single charge, depending on usage patterns.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the BLU R1 HD supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. However, it does not include NFC or radio capabilities. The device features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and it includes necessary sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor.

Network

The smartphone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies, with coverage for multiple 2G, 3G, and 4G bands, making it compatible with a wide range of carriers. It can achieve data speeds up to HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, allowing for fast internet browsing and streaming experiences.

Audio

The BLU R1 HD includes a standard loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering straightforward options for audio output. These features cater to traditional user preferences and enhance the overall multimedia experience on the device.

Conclusion

Overall, the BLU R1 HD offers compelling features for its price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable Android smartphone. Its combination of a decent display, adequate performance, respectable battery life, and dual SIM capability presents a practical choice for everyday use. The phone's design and build, coupled with its essential connectivity features, make the BLU R1 HD a balanced device for a range of users. However, it is important to note that the model is discontinued, and its availability might be limited in some markets.