BLU View 3 Review: Affordable Prepaid Smartphone for Everyday Use

BLU View 3 (2021) – Budget Prepaid Smartphone with Basic Daily Functionality

Definition

The BLU View 3 (model: B140DL) is an entry-level prepaid Android smartphone launched by BLU Products in October 2021, powered by the MediaTek Helio P22 chipset, running Android 11, featuring a 6.0-inch HD+ IPS LCD display, a 13MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera, a 3400mAh removable battery, and USB-C chargingBLU Produc…. It was primarily targeted at budget-conscious users, especially those in the US prepaid market, offering essential smartphone features at an ultra-affordable price point, with a focus on basic communication, media consumption, and casual photography.

Core Identity & Release Context

Launch: Announced in September 2021 and released in October 2021; initially sold through US prepaid carriers like TracFone, Simple Mobile, and Boost Mobile, with a starting price of around USD 50–70 (new).
Key Differentiators: Removable 3400mAh battery; microSD expansion up to 128GB; USB-C port; budget-friendly pricing for prepaid usersBLU Produc….
Market Role: Competed with other entry-level prepaid phones like the Nokia C20 Plus and Alcatel 1B; positioned as a low-cost option for first-time smartphone users, secondary devices, or emergency backups.
Legacy: Reinforced BLU’s position in the US budget prepaid segment, offering essential features with a removable battery—a rare trait in modern budget phones—catering to users who prioritize affordability and battery replaceability.

Full Technical Specifications

Design & Display

Aspect	Details
Form Factor	Candybar with a top-left punch-hole front camera; rectangular rear camera module with LED flash; rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Display	6.0-inch HD+ IPS LCD; resolution 720×1440 pixels (18:9 aspect ratio, ~268 ppi); 10-point multitouch; typical brightness ~250 nits; 75.6% screen-to-body ratio.
Build	Plastic frame + plastic back; no official IP rating (not water/dust resistant); color options: Black, Blue.
Dimensions & Weight	160.2×76.7×9 mm; 178 g.
Controls & Ports	Volume rocker, power button; USB-C 2.0 port (charging/data), no 3.5mm headphone jack; single Nano-SIM slot; microSD card slot (up to 128GB)BLU Produc….

Performance & Software

Component	Specifications
Processor	Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12nm); octa-core (8×2.0GHz Cortex-A53); PowerVR GE8320 GPU.
Memory	3GB LPDDR4x RAM; internal storage: 32GB eMMC 5.1; expandable via microSD (up to 128GB)BLU Produc….
OS	Android 11 (Go edition optimized for entry-level hardware); near-stock UI with minimal bloatware; security updates limited to ~1 year post-launchBLU Produc….
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity sensor, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, ambient light sensor.

Camera System

Camera	Specifications
Rear Camera	13MP main (f/2.0 aperture, LED flash, PDAF); video recording: 1080p@30fps; features: HDR, panorama, geotaggingBLU Produc….
Front Camera	8MP (f/2.2 aperture); video recording: 1080p@30fps; features: HDR, face detectionBLU Produc….

Connectivity & Network

Feature	Specifications
Network	2G (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); 3G (850/1700/1900 MHz); 4G LTE (bands 2/4/5/12/13/25/26/41/66/71); LTE Cat6 (300/50 Mbps)BLU Produc….
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot.
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE.
Positioning	GPS (A-GPS), GLONASS.
Other	FM radio; no NFC.

Battery & Charging

Aspect	Details
Battery	3400mAh removable Li-Po battery.
Charging	10W wired charging via USB-C; 0–100% in ~3 hours; no wireless charging.
Battery Life	Up to 1 day of mixed usage; standby time up to ~1 week (varies by usage).

Key Features & User Experience

Removable Battery: 3400mAh removable design allowed easy replacement, extending device lifespan for budget users.
Affordable Prepaid Option: Ultra-low price made it accessible for first-time users or those seeking a secondary phone.
Basic Camera Functionality: 13MP rear and 8MP front cameras captured decent daylight shots for social media and casual use.
Expandable Storage: microSD support up to 128GB addressed limited internal storage for photos, videos, and apps.
USB-C Port: Modern connectivity standard for charging and data transfer, even in the budget segment.

Market Reception & Limitations

Reception

Affordability & Battery: Praised for its low price and removable battery, a rare feature in budget phones post-2020.
Practical Design: USB-C port and microSD expansion were valued for usability and flexibility in the prepaid market.