BLU Studio 5.0 S review
This phone was already mediocre in 2015 and is now obsolete. The removable battery and dual SIM are niceties, but they cannot offset the crippling lack of 4G, the meager 1GB RAM, and the weak processor. Only suitable for someone who needs a 2G/3G phone as a fallback or historical curiosity; anyone with an actual need for a working smartphone should look elsewhere, regardless of budget."
This review is written with AI assistance from BLU’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the BLU Studio 5.0 S, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The BLU Studio 5.0 S is a 2015 budget phone from a time when 5-inch, 720p displays and quad-core processors felt adequate for light users. It is now hopelessly outdated: HSPA-only network speeds, 1GB RAM, and Android 5.0 make it unsuitable for anything beyond basic calls, even by 2015 standards when mid-range rivals offered 4G and better chips.
Network & Connectivity
This is where the Studio 5.0 S reveals its weakness most painfully. It is locked to HSPA 3G with a theoretical max of 21 Mbps, but real-world throughput is much slower. By May 2015, LTE was standard across budget phones in most markets; the absence here is not a compromise but a sign BLU cut corners. Data feels sluggish for browsing, streaming, or maps. The dual mini-SIM slots and stereo FM radio are genuine perks for global and regional use, but they do not make up for being left behind on connectivity.
Display
The 5.0-inch IPS LCD with 720 x 1280 resolution and 294 ppi density is clean and bright for its era. Colors are balanced, and the 16:9 aspect ratio was standard. Against phones from 2014 and earlier, this holds up; against 2015 rivals, it is unremarkable. The 66.1% screen-to-body ratio means visible bezels, but that was typical. For reading, email, and basic video, it works. There is no particular complaint here—just nothing standout.
Performance & OS
A quad-core Cortex-A7 at 1.3 GHz paired with Mali-400MP2 GPU and 1GB RAM is entry-level even for May 2015. Apps open slowly, multitasking is painful, and Android 5.0 (Lollipop) feels sluggish on this hardware. Mid-range competitors at the same price point offered Snapdragon 400 or Hexa-core chips with 2GB RAM. Gaming is not feasible beyond casual titles. The 8GB internal storage fills quickly once Android and a few apps are installed, leaving perhaps 2–3GB for user content; the microSDXC slot helps, but transfer speeds over microUSB 2.0 are glacial.
Camera
The 8MP rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, and HDR is adequate for daylight snapshots and records 1080p video at 30fps. By 2015, this was respectable for a budget phone, though not impressive. Lowlight performance is weak due to the basic sensor and small aperture. The 2MP front camera is purely functional for video calls and selfies in bright conditions. There is no optical stabilization, so handheld video is jittery. For a phone of this class, the camera does its job without distinction.
Battery & Charging
The 3000 mAh battery is removable, which is its true value. On HSPA and light use, expect a full day; heavy use drains it in hours. The spec sheet claims up to 40 hours of 2G talk time and 24 hours on 3G, though real-world results depend on signal strength and network. Charging details are absent from the spec sheet, but microUSB 2.0 likely means a slow charge via a basic charger. The removable battery is practical for users in regions with spotty power or those who swap between devices, but it cannot compensate for the dated connectivity and weak processor.
Value & Verdict Context
In May 2015, the Studio 5.0 S was a curiosity: budget, yes, but underspecced even for its price tier. The lack of LTE, the weak processor, and the meager 1GB RAM made it feel like a phone from two years prior. By contrast, Motorola, Lenovo, and other budget makers offered far better value with 4G and snappier performance. Today, in 2025, this phone is a historical artifact. Even for developing markets where older hardware lingers, it lacks the connectivity and app compatibility that modern life demands. It is not worth seeking out except as a museum piece or for extremely basic calls-and-texts-only use on 2G/3G networks that are themselves being phased out worldwide.
Verdict
This phone was already mediocre in 2015 and is now obsolete. The removable battery and dual SIM are niceties, but they cannot offset the crippling lack of 4G, the meager 1GB RAM, and the weak processor. Only suitable for someone who needs a 2G/3G phone as a fallback or historical curiosity; anyone with an actual need for a working smartphone should look elsewhere, regardless of budget."
- Removable 3000 mAh battery—a rarity even in 2015, and genuinely useful for swap-and-go uptime on a 2G/3G network.
- Dual SIM support and stereo FM radio, practical for travelers and regions reliant on GSM.
- 5.0-inch IPS LCD display is bright and color-accurate for its time; 294 ppi is passable at arm's length.
- Compact and light at 172g and 9.4mm, comfortable to hold and pocket.
- No 4G LTE support—only HSPA 3G, which is slow and dying; by May 2015, even budget phones included LTE.
- 1GB RAM and 8GB storage severely limit multitasking and app options; Android 5.0 lollipop struggles with any real workload.
- Quad-core Cortex-A7 clocked at 1.3 GHz is underpowered even for 2015; rivals at the same price had snapdragon 400 or better.
BLU Studio 5.0 S Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2015, May. Released 2015, May |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.1% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main camera | 8 MP, AF |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
| Software | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) |
| Dimensions | 144 x 72.4 x 9.4 mm (5.67 x 2.85 x 0.37 in) |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA |
| NFC | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
BLU Studio 5.0 S FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Studio 5.0 S support 5G?
No. The Studio 5.0 S tops out at GSM / HSPA, without 5G.
What chipset does the Studio 5.0 S use?
The Studio 5.0 S runs on the Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm).
What display does the Studio 5.0 S have?
A 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.1% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density).
How big is the Studio 5.0 S battery?
The Studio 5.0 S has a 3000 mAh battery.
Does the Studio 5.0 S have NFC?
No, the Studio 5.0 S does not list NFC support.
Does the Studio 5.0 S support a microSD card?
Yes, the Studio 5.0 S supports expandable storage (microSDXC).