Design and Build Quality
The BLU View 4 embraces a minimalist, functional design centered on affordability. Measuring 147.8 x 71.5 x 10.1 mm and weighing 154 grams, its plastic chassis ensures lightweight portability. The matte-textured back panel resists fingerprints and provides a secure grip, while rounded edges enhance one-handed comfort. Available exclusively in black, the aesthetic is utilitarian. Physical buttons—power and volume rocker—reside on the right edge with satisfying click feedback. A 3.5mm headphone jack sits atop the device, catering to wired audio users. The bottom edge houses a micro-USB port (a cost-driven omission of USB-C) and a single speaker grille. Durability is basic: no IP rating shields against water or dust, and the display uses generic scratch-resistant glass instead of Gorilla Glass. For sub-$100 pricing, the build prioritizes practicality over premium materials, though creaks under pressure reveal its budget roots.
Display Specifications
A 5.5-inch IPS LCD panel dominates the front, offering HD+ resolution (1440 × 720 pixels) and a 293 PPI density. Brightness peaks at 350 nits—adequate indoors but challenging under direct sunlight, where visibility drops significantly. Color calibration leans toward natural tones, covering roughly 70% of sRGB, but lacks vibrancy. Contrast ratios are mediocre (~1200:1), causing blacks to appear grayish. Viewing angles are respectable up to 30 degrees, beyond which color shifting occurs. Touch responsiveness handles swipes and taps reliably but struggles with complex gestures. The 18:9 aspect ratio suits media consumption, though bezels are thick by modern standards. For web browsing, ebooks, or YouTube, this display suffices, but graphic designers or multimedia enthusiasts will notice pixelation and limited dynamic range.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the View 4 is MediaTek’s Helio A22 chipset—a 12nm quad-core CPU clocked at 2.0GHz—paired with 2GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 32GB eMMC 5.1 storage (expandable to 128GB via microSD). Real-world performance caters to lightweight tasks: calls, messaging, and social media apps like Facebook Lite run smoothly. Multitasking falters; switching between 3+ apps triggers reloads due to RAM constraints. Gaming is restricted to casual titles (e.g., Candy Crush), while PUBG Mobile stutters even on low settings. Benchmark scores reflect limitations: Geekbench 5 yields ~100 (single-core) and ~400 (multi-core). Thermal management is efficient, avoiding overheating during prolonged use. The Adreno 500 GPU handles basic UI animations without lag but chokes on intensive graphics. For entry-level users, this hardware delivers functional daily performance but bottlenecks demanding applications.
Camera Capabilities
Photography relies on an 8MP rear sensor (f/2.0 aperture, 1.12µm pixels) and a 5MP front shooter (f/2.2). Daylight photography produces usable images with accurate white balance but limited dynamic range—highlights often blow out without HDR mode enabled. Detail is soft upon zooming, and colors appear muted. Low-light shots suffer from noise, lacking OIS or dedicated night mode; images turn grainy above ISO 800. The rear camera records 1080p video at 30fps, though electronic stabilization is absent, causing noticeable jitter. The front camera handles video calls adequately but over-smooths skin tones in selfies. Software features include panorama, time-lapse, and a basic Pro mode for manual exposure tweaks. AI enhancements are minimal, and shutter lag is pronounced in suboptimal lighting. Overall, these cameras serve documentation needs but disappoint creative photographers.
Software and User Experience
Android 11 (Go Edition) optimizes the OS for 2GB RAM, preloading lightweight apps like Google Go and Gallery Go. The interface mirrors stock Android, ensuring intuitive navigation. BLU’s bloatware is minimal—limited to FM Radio and a file manager—preserving storage. Core functionalities (Gmail, Maps, YouTube) operate fluidly, but heavier apps like Snapchat load slowly. Security includes Google Play Protect and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor (0.8s unlock time, 85% accuracy). Software drawbacks are significant: no guaranteed OS updates beyond security patches, and Android Go restricts background processes, hampering multitasking. Digital Wellbeing tools monitor usage, while Google Assistant responds accurately to voice commands. The experience suits beginners or secondary-device users but frustrates those needing app versatility.
Battery Life and Charging
A 2500mAh battery fuels the device, delivering 10–12 hours of mixed usage (4G browsing, music streaming, occasional calls). Screen-on time averages 4.5 hours—sufficient for light users but insufficient for power users. Streaming video at 50% brightness drains 15% per hour, while gaming consumes 20% hourly. Standby drain is minimal (~3% overnight). Recharging via the bundled 5W adapter takes 150 minutes for 0–100%, with no support for fast charging or wireless charging. Battery-saving modes extend runtime by limiting background data and reducing performance. For urban commuters or low-usage scenarios, endurance is passable; travelers or heavy streamers will require midday top-ups.
Connectivity and Extras
4G LTE support covers bands 2/4/5/12/66/71, ensuring reliable coverage in urban/rural areas across major US carriers. Call quality is clear, though earpiece volume maxes at 80dB. Wi-Fi is restricted to 2.4GHz (802.11 b/g/n), causing congestion in dense networks but offering stable connectivity at close range. Bluetooth 4.2 pairs reliably with headsets but lacks aptX for high-fidelity audio. GPS locks locations within 15 seconds outdoors, but accuracy wavers indoors. The mono speaker delivers 70dB output—sufficient for notifications but tinny for media. Additional features include dual-SIM support (nano + nano/microSD hybrid), VoLTE, and an FM radio requiring wired headphones as an antenna. Omissions like NFC and 5GHz Wi-Fi reflect cost constraints.
Value for Money
Priced at $69–$79, the View 4 undercuts rivals like the Nokia C01 Plus ($89) or Samsung Galaxy A03s ($99). Its strengths—stock-like software, fingerprint sensor, and LTE reliability—justify its cost for budget buyers. However, compromises loom large: the display lacks vibrancy, cameras underperform in low light, and battery life trails competitors. For seniors, teens, or emergency-use cases, it’s a competent entry point. Alternatives offer superior batteries or software support at slightly higher prices, making the View 4 ideal only for strict budgets prioritizing core functionality over longevity.