BLU Products built its reputation on cost-efficient phones. You won’t find much in their lineup over $300, and they consistently deliver strong specs for the price. With the Pure XL, BLU is kicking things up a notch — a true flagship-level device for $350.
BLU Pure XL Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164mm x 82.2mm x 9.6mm |
| Weight | 202g |
| Display | 6″ 2K Super AMOLED, 490 PPI |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio X10, 2.0GHz deca-core |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Storage | 64GB internal + 64GB expandable |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh with quick charging |
| Rear Camera | 24MP, f/2.0, OIS, phase detection AF |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| LTE Bands | 2/4/7/17 |
| OS | Android 5.1 Lollipop |
At first glance, the Pure XL is an absolute stunner on paper. Only a handful of phones had broken the 3GB RAM barrier by late 2015, putting the Pure XL squarely in top-tier company.
The 6″ display will draw comparisons to the Nexus 6 — a phone that generated plenty of complaints about its size. The Pure XL is actually slightly narrower (82.2mm vs. 83mm) and thinner (9.6mm vs. 10.1mm), but taller (164mm vs. 159.3mm). The Nexus 6’s rounded back helped users adjust to its bulk; we’ll see if the Pure XL’s flatter profile works against it in the hand.
Launching with Android 5.1 Lollipop is an encouraging sign, given BLU’s historically slow update pace. One caveat worth noting: the MediaTek Helio X10 chip tends to get limited love from the custom ROM community due to poor documentation from the chip maker, so users hoping to flash newer Android versions may find themselves out of luck.
The Pure XL also includes a fingerprint sensor on the back — a feature still considered premium in 2015. Seeing it on a $350 device alongside names like the OnePlus 2 says a lot about where the budget flagship market was heading.
Camera-wise, the 24MP shooter comes equipped with f/2.0 aperture, OIS, a 1/2.3-inch sensor, real-time HDR, dual-tone LED flash, phase detection autofocus, and — notably — a dedicated hardware camera button. That last detail puts the Pure XL ahead of most competition at any price point.
The aluminum build with chamfered edges rounds out the package. It’ll ship in gold and grey.
On paper, the BLU Pure XL is one of the most compelling value propositions of 2015. The real question is whether the real-world experience matches the spec sheet — particularly the camera, battery life under that large AMOLED display, and the long-term software picture. We’ll withhold full judgment until we’ve spent time with a unit.
Source: BLU Products
