Blu Announces The Six-Inch Studio 6.0 HD, A Massive Mid-Ranger For $250 [Hands-On]

Not everyone likes big phones, of that there is no question. Those who do, however, usually love them. Among those who fancy said behemoth handsets, the almost-a-tablet-but-still-also-a-phone nature of the "phablet" is likely what is most appealing; especially for those who don't already own one of each. Of course, there aren't a whole lot of options outside of the Galaxy Mega, Sony's Z Ultra, or the Galaxy Note 3 (which, arguably, doesn't even fall into the same category any longer). Blu is looking to throw its massive offering into the ring with the budget-friendly Studio 6.0 HD.

For those who aren't familiar, Blu's Studio series is its mid-range line of handsets, while its higher-end devices are generally reserved for the Life series. Thus, don't expect a powerhouse from the Studio 6.0 HD – it's definitely more of an entry-level device. Here's a quick look under the Studio 6.0's hood:

• Display: 6.0-inch 1280x720
• Processor: Quad-Core 1.3GHz Mediatek MT6582
• RAM: 1GB
• Camera: 8MP rear shooter, 2MP front
• Storage: 4GB with microSD card slot with support for up to 64GB
• Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Wireless: GSM Quad-Band (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; HSDPA 850 / 1900 or HSDPA 850 / 2100); Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
• OS: Android 4.2.2
• Dimensions/Weight: 136 x 64.6 x 8.5 mm/206g
• Battery: non-removable 3,000mAh
• Price: $250

The first noticeable trait of the Studio 6.0 is that, well, it's big. Really big. With the display a full inch larger than the Nexus 5 and one inch smaller than the Nexus 7, it's a suitable size to be used as both phone and tablet, though it may not be the most practical solution for either.

The front of the device is pretty typical: screen, capacitive keys, the like. One thing that struck me as odd, however, is that what looks like a "recent apps" button is actually the menu key when short-pressed. Long-pressing it does activate the recent apps, though.

The right side is where the power button is, and the volume rocker on the left side. Both are in good places for one-handed use, which is nice on a phone this large. The back is pretty plain-Jane, as it's just a smooth, glossy piece of plastic. It's removable, and beneath it is where you'll find both SIM card slots, as well as the microSD card slot. It's also worth noting that the Studio 6.0 HD takes full-size SIM cards.

  

Obviously the most notable feature of the Studio 6.0 is its massive display, which, at 1280x720, clocks it at around 245 PPI. Like most other Blu phones, colors are vibrant and saturated, but not overbearing. Blacks are not completely black like an AMOLED display, but they're not underwhelmingly "bright," either. On the opposite end of the scale, the whites aren't super white, either, but they're not terribly dingy. Basically, the white/black balance is decent for the most part, as it's not too extreme in either direction.

On the software level, the Studio 6.0 HD is basically like most other Blu phones: a nearly-stock version of Android 4.2.2. Blu has promised that 4.4 would be coming to some of its handsets, but it's not entirely clear which handsets will get it at this time. Hopefully the Studio 6.0 will make the cut, as it's one of Blu's newest handsets on the market.

The Studio's performance is on par with what one should expect from a $250 budget device: very usable, but not a speed demon by any standards. It can power through social networking, web browsing, watching videos, and light gaming, but don't expect to get those things done at breakneck speeds or without the slightest bit of hesitation. It only has one gigabyte of RAM, so that has to be taken into account when multitasking.

The way I see it, the Studio 6.0 HD isn't the power-user's phone. It's a handset for someone who wants both a phone and tablet, but doesn't want to spend the umpteen-hundred moneydollars that it takes to get one of each. It's also perfect for tweens and teens, for all the same reasons stated above – it's affordable, and covers several bases with one device. In short, it's a good device for the money, as long as you're not expecting to get Galaxy S5-level performance for a fraction of the price.

The Studio 6.0 HD will be available at the beginning of May.

Cameron Summerson

Cameron is a self-made geek, Android enthusiast, horror movie fanatic, and musician. When he's not pounding keys here at AP, you can find him spending time with his wife and kids, plucking away on the 6- or 7-string, or watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on repeat.

source: androidpolice