BLU Dash 3.5 II: Pros and Cons
BLU announced the launch of the Dash 3.5 II smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 3.5 inch TFT display, Mediatek MT6572M SoC, and 256 MB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery. The 3.5 inch phone comes with a TFT display (320 x 480 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 px). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- BLU Dash 3.5 II 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 Dash 3.5 II 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.
BLU Dash 3.5 II specifications
| Brand | BLU |
|---|---|
| Name | Dash 3.5 II |
| Model | D352 |
| Release date | 2013 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 3.92 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.62 x 2.43 x 0.5 inch |
| Colors | black, blue, gold, orange, pink, white, yellow |
| SIM type | Mini SIM |
The weight of BLU Dash 3.5 II is about 3.92 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Mediatek MT6572M |
| CPU | Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Mali-400 |
The BLU Dash 3.5 II comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. This Mediatek MT6572M 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 | TFT |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.5 inch |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 3.5 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.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 256 MB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 512 MB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
256 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Dash 3.5 II has only 512 MB. You can expand the internal storage (512 MB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 px |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | VGA |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Dash 3.5 II does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v3.0 |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | no |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The BLU Dash 3.5 II supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Dash 3.5 II 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.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 1450 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer |
|---|---|
| Specials | Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). 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
- TFT display
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- lack of autofocus
- 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.