BLU S1 Indepth Review of Specs Features and Value

Overview of BLU S1

The BLU S1 is a smartphone that was launched in September 2017. Although now discontinued, this phone offered several features that were attractive at its price point. The device runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and boasts a compact yet functional design, tailored to medium phone users. It was particularly appealing for those looking for an affordable smartphone option that doesn't compromise on essential capabilities.

Design and Display

The BLU S1 comes with dimensions of 147.3 x 72.8 x 8.4 mm, making it a comfortable fit for most hands and easy to handle. Weighing 137 grams, the device is light, a feature appreciated by users who are on the go. The phone has a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which offers decent clarity and color reproduction. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 69.5% ensures users have a fair amount of screen space for viewing content.

Performance and Software

At the heart of the BLU S1 is the Mediatek MT6750 chipset, paired with an octa-core processor configured at 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53. This configuration provides a balance between performance and power efficiency, making it adequate for everyday tasks such as browsing, multimedia consumption, and light gaming. The phone is equipped with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDXC slot.

Camera Capabilities

The photography experience on the BLU S1 is supported by a 13 MP rear camera, complete with an LED flash, capable of shooting videos at 1080p@30fps. While it may not stand out with advanced photographic features, it delivers standard image quality for casual photography enthusiasts. The selfie camera is 5 MP, which suffices for video calls and basic selfies.

Battery and Power Management

Powering the BLU S1 is a non-removable Li-Po 2800 mAh battery. According to official specifications, the phone offers up to 24 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 16 hours on 3G networks. Standby time is reported to reach up to 600 hours on 2G and up to 550 hours on 3G, which are impressive numbers for the standby duration. This battery capacity ensures that the phone can last through a day with moderate usage.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The BLU S1 is equipped with essential connectivity options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE technology, supporting a variety of network bands. It supports Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and GPS. One notable omission is the lack of NFC, which was becoming more standard in phones around its launch time. The phone also features a 3.5mm audio jack and an FM radio for entertainment. Security comes in the form of a front-mounted fingerprint scanner, and additional sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.

Conclusion

The BLU S1 was crafted as a budget-friendly smartphone option shortly before the explosion of full-screen devices and significant advances in mobile technology. While it may not compete in the current high-end market, it serves as a functional device for users with primary mobile needs. Its decent performance, camera capabilities, and battery life made it a worthy consideration in its day. However, given that it’s a discontinued model, those interested in similar features will likely explore upgraded options within the BLU brand or other budget-conscious alternatives.