BLU Products, one of the most controversial smartphone vendors around, which managed to quickly build a reputation for selling unusually powerful and good-looking unlocked devices at unbeatable prices, is revising its strategy to focus more on product quality, software updates, and support.
The first handset released by the “New BLU” runs Android 8.1 Oreo out the box, spyware hopefully not included, with a solemn promise of an official over-the-air 9.0 Pie update rolling out by “the end of Q1 2019.”
As long as that doesn’t end up bricking the Vivo XI+ (pronounced Eleven Plus), it’s definitely a key selling point and distinguishing feature for a phone fetching just $249.99 for a limited time.
The introductory markdown truly makes this 6.2-incher impossible to ignore, what with a trendy extra-wide 2246 x 1080 “notched” screen in tow, as well as a snappy and energy-efficient octa-core MediaTek Helio P60 processor, and a whopping 6GB RAM paired with 128GB expandable internal storage.
The BLU Vivo XI+ is obviously not without bezels, but the 82 percent screen-to-body ratio advertised by its vendor easily beats most other devices in this frugal price bracket. There’s an almost obligatory rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, as well as 3D facial recognition technology.
Yup, you read that right, this is the very first Android phone officially launched in North America with iPhone X-rivaling “Real 3D Face ID” capabilities boasting a “built-in A.I. powered Infrared Face Recognition Sensor” with support for “live 3D Scanning, Infrared Detection, and Anti-Hack protection.”
That’s a lot of buzzwords crammed together into an already remarkable spec sheet for BLU’s 11th flagship Vivo series generation, but before we get a chance to examine the real-life convenience of this 3D facial scanning system, we have to admit that “Anti-Hack protection” feature sounds pretty sweet. There’s allegedly no tricking the biometric recognition mechanism of the Vivo XI+, be it with photos, masks, or even wax sculptures.
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The AI-enhanced 16 + 5MP dual rear-facing cameras and 16MP selfie shooter also sound great for $250 or even $350, while that 3,050 mAh “super battery” is certainly unimpressive, nonetheless supporting wireless charging functionality for the first time on a BLU handset.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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