BLU Neo Energy Mini: Pros and Cons
BLU announced the launch of the Neo Energy Mini smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch TFT display, Mediatek MT6580 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The Neo Energy Mini series was launched with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4 inch phone comes with a TFT display (480 x 800 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.
Table of Contents
- BLU Neo Energy 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 Neo Energy 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 Neo Energy Mini specifications
Brand | BLU |
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Name | Neo Energy Mini |
Model | N130L |
Release date | 2016 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 4.09 oz |
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Dimensions | 4.96 x 2.46 x 0.43 inch |
Colors | black, white |
SIM type | Mini SIM |
The weight of BLU Neo Energy Mini is about 4.09 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) |
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SoC | Mediatek MT6580 |
CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
GPU | Mali-400 MP1 |
The BLU Neo Energy Mini comes with Android OS v5.1 (Lollipop) 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.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | TFT |
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Screen size | 4 inch |
Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
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.
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. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Neo Energy Mini has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 2 MP, 1600 x 1200 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 Neo Energy Mini does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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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 Neo Energy Mini 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
Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 3000 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 |
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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 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.