Despite the insistence from the wi-fi carriers over the previous few years, we’re simply now getting to some extent the place 5G is really price contemplating. Networks are lastly coming into their very own with ultra-fast connections out there in lots of elements of the nation.
As a client I’ve not precisely shied away from 5G and its capabilities however I’ve definitely not made it a precedence; 4G LTE speeds are a lot quick sufficient for me.
On the {hardware} entrance the primary few generations of 5G telephones had been extremely expensive. You’d must spend roughly $1,000 for the privilege of proudly owning a telephone that was able to 5G. Moreover, it additionally value extra in your price plan as carriers charged a premium for entry. Indeed, you could possibly cough up a bunch of cash for a function that you simply by no means even took benefit of over the previous few years.
As 2022 will get into full swing, the 5G panorama has settled down and it now is sensible to think about it as a promoting level. Phones with 5G assist now value a fraction of what they did a few years in the past.
Miami-based BLU isn’t any stranger to the idea of making telephones with worth tags that are available in a fraction of what different manufacturers command. And in the end it is able to dip its toes into the 5G waters. Its newest telephone, the F91 5G arrives as a low-cost unlocked possibility for GSM carriers.
When it involves BLU telephones I typically discover that it has to chop corners as a way to maintain costs low. That is to be anticipated, in fact, and lots of entry-level units makers do the identical. To me although, the corners aren’t a lot lower as gently trimmed and in areas that are inclined to go unnoticed by the plenty.
Think about options like excessive refresh price and contact sampling price, reverse charging, and super-fast wi-fi charging. They’re definitely good to have, and also you’d miss them as soon as you are taking them away. But there’s an enormous phase of person who’ve but to depend on these options.
BLU likes to play in that sandbox. With its telephones you are inclined to get all the belongings you need or want with none of these aforementioned frills. That means a large display screen, a battery that’s good for about two days at a time, and respectable efficiency. And now you additionally get 5G assist.
Design
The F91 5G is available in only one colour, Oceanic Blue, and it has the acquainted design language present in different BLU telephones from the previous few years. That is to say it has a gradient-like colour that dances from blue to gray and it appears to love daylight.
The 6.8-inch show has a 1080 x 2460 decision with a hole-punch digicam positioned within the center. It’s not fairly an edge-to-edge display screen however there’s not all that a lot wasted house or bezel. The 20:9 facet ratio makes it simpler to carry and function with one hand.
Although the brightness and colour do pop fairly a bit, I did discover the telephone struggled slightly bit in direct daylight. It’s not horrible, however you could discover it tough for fast glances at notifications in the appropriate situations.
Similarly, the colour was usually balanced however did really feel a contact oversaturated. Sometimes it really works to its profit, corresponding to watching a video, however looking at white screens of textual content appeared simply ever so “off”. Don’t learn an excessive amount of into this right here as I’ve seen significantly worse issues, typically at increased costs.
The fingerprint reader is positioned within the side-mounted energy button; the F91 5G additionally permits for facial recognition to unlock as properly. Both had been comparatively spectacular in my time with the handset.
The higher left nook of the rear homes a quad-camera system that features a 48-megapixel major shooter. It’s complimented by a 2-megapixel macro digicam, 2-megapixel depth digicam, and a 5-megapixel wide-angle (115-degrees) digicam.
A 3.5mm headphone jack is current, one thing that I’m all the time joyful to see. Sure, it’s much less necessary than ever, however I recognize that BLU hasn’t thrown that towel in simply but. Also price stating, there’s a pair of wired earbuds included within the field. Oh, and there’s additionally an 18W charger, tempered glass display screen protector, and a protecting case.
Software
Surprisingly, the BLU F91 5G runs a reasonably barebones Android 11 expertise. With Android 13 nearly to make its public launch this model is “behind the times” however possibly extra so on paper than in apply.
The common person possible doesn’t know which particular model of Android is on their telephone, not to mention perceive how outdated it’s. Further, they might be definitely be hard-pressed to call a number of the variations.
There are quite a few pre-loaded apps on the F91 5G, a few of that are fairly standard downloads.
BLU has accomplished a decent job of offering safety updates and main patches however that’s turning into extra of a diminishing want as Android matures. Typically, I consider its telephones as being “as is” in terms of the general software program expertise and one won’t wish to maintain their breath over a serious improve. This is simply one of many corners that BLU cuts for its telephones and it doesn’t appear to be a lot of a problem.
Performance
A MediaTek Dimensity 810 2.4GHz octa-core processor, bolstered with 8GB reminiscence, powers the present. Benchmark-wise, the telephone ought to hold with the like of the Motorola One 5G Ace (2021) and Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. These two telephones are priced the identical, if not increased, than the BLU F91 5G.
With 128GB of inner storage capability and a microSD growth card slot (as much as 256GB) you should not have any issues storing apps, video games, downloads, and different media.
A 5,000mAh battery is quick turning into the norm for units because it tends to ship 1-2 days of utilization on most units. When coping with a handset such because the BLU F91 5G you would possibly anticipate one thing slightly nearer to 2-3 days because the processor is extra environment friendly. Mileage varies based mostly on a person’s wants, in fact. You’re not speaking a few high-end gaming expertise right here so the mid-range processor doesn’t must work fairly as arduous as these present in flagships.
The telephone does enable for wi-fi charging, a function that’s not fairly make-or-break for lots of parents. With that stated, credit score is due right here for BLU not leaving it off. The 18W quick charging is respectable by at the moment’s requirements and the Power Share tech helps you to cost up different units. Again, a pleasant function that would have been omitted.
BLU has accomplished an more and more higher job within the space of cameras for its telephones. Not solely are there 4 cameras current on the F91 5G, they fare admirably, too.
There are quite a few capturing modes to select from, every supported with little AI enhancements and changes to the picture on the time of seize. It can intuit whether or not you’re taking an image of a canine or a sandwich, treating issues slightly in another way for higher outcomes.
I don’t typically tinker an excessive amount of with settings outdoors of the early testing and exploration section of a brand new telephone. More typically than not I exploit the digicam to get candid shot of family and friends or pics of meals. That’s just about only a level and click on deal. Given that, I do like that the AI is all the time there, serving to me when and the place it will probably.
If you wish to mess around together with your digicam and dive deeper into settings, you’ll just like the Pro Mode which additionally permits for Raw information. Similarly, the Advanced Night Mode lets customers seize footage that weren’t beforehand attainable at this worth level.
Conclusion
The BLU F91 5G continues BLU’s legacy of providing excessive worth proposition units with budget-friendly costs. As an unlocked telephone that works with AT&T, T-Mobile, and their respective MVNOs and pay as you go manufacturers, it’s appropriate with numerous carriers.
I’ve had nice expertise with the 5G speeds and connectivity in areas the place I spend my time; issues are largely the identical as what I get from my Pixel 6 on most days.
For your cash you get greater than sufficient {hardware} to final most customers the following two years. It doesn’t strategy flagship-level efficiency and it doesn’t have all the flamboyant accoutrements that include such telephones, however when you’ve by no means had them, you don’t know what you’re lacking.
I think the target market might be very proud of the large display screen, long-lasting battery, and quite a few digicam modes. And including in small issues like a headphone jack, NFC, wi-fi charging, and an intentional design make the F91 5G much more compelling.
You can study extra concerning the BLU F91 5G on the telephone maker’s web site however purchases are dealt with by way of Amazon. Look for the handset at about $250 and also you’ll be doing fairly properly for your self.
