Review: Blu Vivo 5
The Vivo 5 smartphone from Blu isn't for everyone. It's an unlocked handset that's only being sold online. While there are a growing number of people who prefer to buy unlocked phones, the Vivo 5's limited support for AT&T and T-Mobile LTE causes me concern. Our phones are little more than paperweights without a network. It's best to think of this as a 3G phone that sometimes gets 4G service as a bonus. If you're accustomed to 4G speeds, that may be a deal-breaker for you.
Blu succeeded in crafting an attractive, slim, and approachable phone. The hardware shoots high above its price tag and the phone is well-made. The screen is average, voice performance is a bit below average, and battery life is above average. The 13-megapixel camera delivers results that match the phone's price tag and mid-range specs, but at least the camera app looks nice.
The Vivo 5 costs about $270 - $300, depending on where you buy it. That's certainly a reasonable price considering all that the phone offers. There are probably better options for US consumers, however, such as the LG G Stylo or even last year's G4, which AT&T and T-Mobile sell now for close to $300.
I'd only recommend the Blu Vivo 5 to those explicitly looking for an unlocked phone that treads a bit off the beaten path.
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BLU Vivo 5
