BLU Studio 53 Ultimate Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the BLU Studio 5.3

The BLU Studio 5.3, announced in December 2011 and released in January 2012, was among the early pioneers in the phablet category. With its large 5.3-inch display, it aimed to blend the functionality of a phone and a tablet. Although it has been discontinued, it remains a notable entry in the evolution of mobile devices.

Design and Build Quality

Sporting dimensions of 150 x 81 x 10.9 mm and weighing in at 192g, the BLU Studio 5.3 was considered quite hefty during its time. Its sizeable frame housed a TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, offering a screen-to-body ratio of around 65.8%. The device was less about sleekness and more about delivering a big screen experience for multimedia and browsing enthusiasts. The black color option added a touch of classic elegance to its look.

Network Capabilities

The device was equipped with GSM/HSPA technology, catering to basic global connectivity needs. It could support multiple 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 for SIM 1) and 3G bands (HSDPA 850/1900/2100 for SIM 1), with a data speed of up to HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps. The dual SIM (Mini-SIM) configuration allowed users the flexibility of two numbers or networks, which was a handy feature for travelers or those seeking separate personal and business lines.

Display

The 5.3-inch display, though substantial for its time, offered a pixel density of approximately 176 ppi. The TFT technology, while not the sharpest or most vibrant by today’s standards, was quite satisfactory for viewing photos, videos, and playing basic games. Its display was one of the main selling points, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a large-screen experience without breaking the bank.

Performance and Software

Underneath its surface, the BLU Studio 5.3 was powered by the Mediatek MT6573 chipset, utilizing a 650 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU with a GPU of PowerVR SGX531. Though modest, its processing power handled basic tasks and applications running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) quite well. With 512MB of RAM, multitasking was limited, aligning with the expectations of its era. The internal storage was also 512MB, expandable via microSDHC, providing users with additional storage flexibility.

Camera

The main camera was a 5MP sensor equipped with autofocus capabilities and supported by an LED flash. Capable of recording videos in 480p at 30fps, it was modest but functional, serving well for casual photography. The front VGA camera supported basic video calls, although not suitable for high-quality selfies by modern standards. It offered enough to capture and share moments as needed.

Battery Life

Fueled by a removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery, the BLU Studio 5.3 offered decent battery life. According to specifications, it provided up to 700 hours on standby and up to 8 hours of talk time. For daily use, this was sufficient to get through the day, especially for users whose activities were primarily call and text-based, with occasional browsing and app usage.

Connectivity

Connectivity options on the device included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with capabilities to act as a hotspot, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS support, FM radio, and microUSB 2.0. It offered a 3.5mm jack for audio, aligning with the standard expectations of the period for both connectivity and device interaction.

Sensors and Additional Features

Equipped with an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, the handset offered basic sensor functionalities necessary for the smooth operation of applications requiring motion and orientation detection. These sensors complemented the overall utility of the phone, aiding in gaming, navigation, and general device interactivity.

Market Position and Price

Priced at about 170 EUR during its launch, the BLU Studio 5.3 targeted budget-conscious consumers seeking large-screen smartphones without venturing into the high-priced flagship territory. It offered a balanced combination of features and price, an attractive proposition for first-time smartphone users or those upgrading from feature phones.

Conclusion

The BLU Studio 5.3 stands as a notable example in the early years of smartphones that sought to stretch the boundaries of screen size and functionality. Although it has been overshadowed by more advanced devices today, at its inception, it represented an admirable effort to push the limits of mobile technology available to a broader audience and laid the groundwork for the larger, more capable smartphones we see in contemporary markets.