BLU

BLU Advance L4: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo)
Mediatek MT6580
Mali-400 MP2
512 MB / 8 GB
4 inch (480 x 800 px)
5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus

BLU announced the launch of the Advance L4 smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch TFT display, Mediatek MT6580 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo) out of the box, and a Li-Po 1300 mAh battery. The 4 inch phone comes with a TFT display (480 x 800 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BLU Advance L4 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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BLU Advance L4 specifications

BrandBLU
NameAdvance L4
ModelA350A
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight3.67 oz
Dimensions4.91 x 2.57 x 0.41 inch
Colorsblack, blue, cyan
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of BLU Advance L4 is about 3.67 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.

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System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo)
SoCMediatek MT6580
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 32182

The BLU Advance L4 comes with Android OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo) 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. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency. We use AnTuTu app to measure general processing performance. AnTuTu Benchmark is the most popular benchmark app for Android phones.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeTFT
Screen size4 inch
Resolution480 x 800 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 4 inch phone comes with TFT display. A thin-film transistor (TFT) features a thin-film transistor for each individual pixel. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM512 MB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you 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 L4 has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Advance L4 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

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Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv2.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Advance L4 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

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Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 1300 mAh

The Li-Po 1300 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

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Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual 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

  • weak performance
  • TFT display
  • 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
Add BLU Advance L4 to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley 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.
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