BLU Vivo IV InDepth Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to BLU Vivo IV

The BLU Vivo IV is a smartphone that was released in May 2014 and brought with it some interesting features and specifications. Although the device has been discontinued, it still holds value for those who are interested in the evolution of smartphone technology over the years. Featuring a slender design and competitive hardware for its time, it exemplifies the ambition of BLU Products to provide affordable yet functional devices.

Design and Build

One of the standout features of the BLU Vivo IV is its design. It boasts dimensions of 145.1 x 70.2 x 5.5 mm, making it incredibly slim with a thickness of just 0.22 inches. Weighing in at 129 grams, the Vivo IV is light and easy to handle. This thin and lightweight design ensures that the phone is comfortable to use either for extended talk or browsing sessions.

In terms of aesthetics, the device offers a modern look with its choice of colors: Black, White/Silver, and White/Gold. The build quality is solid, giving a premium feel despite its mid-range market positioning.

Display

The BLU Vivo IV comes with a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display which was considered advanced for its time. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, this phone provides sharp and clear imagery, with a pixel density of approximately 441 ppi. The Super AMOLED technology ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, further enhancing the visual experience.

To protect the display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is utilized, offering durability and resistance to scratches. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 67.7%, which might seem modest by today’s standards but was quite competitive at the time of release.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Vivo IV is powered by a Mediatek MT6592 chipset built on a 28 nm process. The CPU is an octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A7, which provides smooth performance for daily tasks and moderate multitasking. The GPU, a Mali-450MP4, ensures that graphics processing is handled efficiently, allowing for enjoyable media consumption and some light gaming.

At launch, the BLU Vivo IV ran on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and was upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This ensured that users had access to a variety of features and improvements available in KitKat, enhancing the overall user experience.

Memory

The phone comes equipped with 2GB of RAM, which was sufficient for smooth operation of the OS and apps around the time of its release. Multi-tasking and app-switching are handled with relative ease. For storage, the device offers 16GB of internal memory. However, it is important to note that the Vivo IV does not support expandable storage via microSD cards, which could be a limitation for users who require more space.

Camera

The photography capabilities of the BLU Vivo IV are fronted by a 13 MP rear camera. This camera comes equipped with autofocus and an LED flash, making it capable of capturing decent photos in various lighting conditions. Moreover, the camera features panorama and HDR modes, allowing users to create more dynamic and visually appealing images. The primary camera also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, offering quality video capture for its time.

On the front, a 5 MP selfie camera is available, providing users with satisfactory selfie-taking capabilities. While it may not compete with modern standards, it was adequate for the basic needs of video calls and social media sharing at the time.

Battery

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 2300 mAh battery. While this might appear modest compared to today’s standards, it was considered reasonable given the hardware demands of the device during its release. The battery life is sufficient for a whole day of moderate use, offering up to 24 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 12 hours on 3G networks. For standby, it can last up to 750 hours on 2G and 675 hours on 3G networks.

Connectivity and Other Features

The BLU Vivo IV supports various connectivity options, including GSM and HSPA technologies. Users can connect to Wi-Fi with support for a/b/g/n/ac standards and utilize dual-band and hotspot capabilities for versatile internet access. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP is available for efficient wireless connection to peripherals.

For navigation, the phone includes GPS. Other communication features include FM radio for broadcast listening and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Unfortunately, NFC is not supported on this device, which limits its capabilities in terms of wireless touch-based connectivity.

Sound is facilitated through a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, a staple at the time, providing users with options for audio output. Additionally, the phone is equipped with standard sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, and proximity sensor.

Conclusion

The BLU Vivo IV demonstrates a keen effort to deliver a phone that balances design, functionality, and affordability. Despite being an older model, its specifications offer a glimpse into the mid-range market expectations during its release period. It serves as a reminder of the technological strides made over the past decade and offers a nostalgic look back at the evolution of smartphone technology.

For collectors or technology enthusiasts, the BLU Vivo IV might still hold interest as a representative of early 2010s smartphone engineering, with its stylish appearance and decent performance standing out even today.