BLU Life Play Mini: Pros and Cons
BLU announced the launch of the Life Play Mini smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6572M SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery. This phone features a high resolution 480 x 800 px IPS display. The size of screen is 4 inch. 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 Life Play Mini 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 Life Play Mini 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 Life Play Mini specifications
Brand | BLU |
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Name | Life Play Mini |
Model | L190 |
Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 3.74 oz |
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Dimensions | 5 x 2.54 x 0.37 inch |
Colors | blue, grey, pink, white, yellow |
SIM type | Mini SIM |
The weight of BLU Life Play Mini is about 3.74 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) |
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SoC | Mediatek MT6572M |
CPU | Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
GPU | Mali-400 MP1 |
The BLU Life Play Mini comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. The 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 | IPS |
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Screen size | 4 inch |
Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The 4 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. 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 | 512 MB |
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Internal storage | 4 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Life Play Mini has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 px |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | VGA |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Life Play Mini comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
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 |
Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Life Play Mini 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 1400 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 1400 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, light, proximity |
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Specials | Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Life Play Mini smartphone has an accelerometer. 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
- 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.