BLU Advance A5 (2017)
This phone comes equipped with a 5 inch IPS display, a Mediatek MT6570 chipset, and 512 MB of RAM.
Discover its hidden sides, both good and bad!
Table of Contents
- BLU Advance A5 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BLU Advance A5 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
BLU Advance A5 specifications
| Brand | BLU |
|---|---|
| Name | Advance A5 |
| Model | ADVA5 |
| Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 5.04 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.41 inch |
| Colors | black |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of BLU Advance A5 is about 5.04 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Mediatek MT6570 |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP1 |
The BLU Advance A5 comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 512 MB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 8 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Advance A5 has only 8 GB. We can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Advance A5 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Advance A5 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, light, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this BLU phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
- Dual SIM support
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no digital compass
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.