BLU

BLU Grand M: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Mediatek MT6580
Mali-400 MP2
512 MB / 8 GB
5 inch (480 x 854 px)
5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus

BLU announced the launch of the Grand M smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6580 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The Grand M series was launched with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BLU Grand M 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 Grand M / 1

BLU Grand M specifications

BrandBLU
NameGrand M
ModelGRANDM
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.03 oz
Dimensions5.7 x 2.84 x 0.37 inch
Colorsgold, gray, rose-gold, silver
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of BLU Grand M is about 6.03 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 versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCMediatek MT6580
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 32295

The BLU Grand M comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. 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.

BLU Grand M / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution480 x 854 px
Multitouch supportyes

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

RAM512 MB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

512 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 Grand M has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

BLU Grand M / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Grand M does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, 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. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Grand M 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Grand M isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual 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). 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
  • 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
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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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