BLU View 5 review
The View 5 suits someone who makes and receives calls, sends messages, and browses the web occasionally, with no patience for apps or gaming. If you need anything beyond that, or if you resent pixelated text and lag, spend a little more elsewhere.
This review is based on BLU’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the BLU View 5, 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 View 5 is a bare-bones 6-inch Android phone from 2021 aimed squarely at calls, messaging, and light browsing on the tightest budget. For the price, it delivers what you'd expect—basic function without surprises—but the 3GB RAM, entry-level chipset, and 720p display mean performance crawls under any real load, and the screen looks soft at arm's length.
Design & build
The View 5 is refreshingly compact and light for a 6-inch phone, weighing just 178 grams and measuring 9mm thick. In an era of ever-heavier devices, that alone deserves credit. The slim frame feels durable enough for a budget phone, though at this price point plastic chassis and basic materials are expected. It's the kind of phone that disappears in a pocket rather than dominating it, which many users at this price would prefer over a chunky all-rounder.
Display
The 6-inch IPS LCD with 720p resolution and a 268 ppi density is the phone's most visible weakness. Text and app icons look noticeably pixelated when you bring the screen close, a softness that becomes apparent in any document or fine detail. Outdoor readability is acceptable and colors are stable thanks to the IPS panel, but rivals at or near this price have long since moved to 1080p screens on similar diagonals. For a phone launched in 2021, this feels like a cost-cutting that hits daily use hard.
Performance
The Helio P22 is an entry-level chipset, and the View 5 proves the limitation. Calling, texting, and light social media browsing work without stuttering, but any real multitasking grinds. Open a handful of browser tabs or switch between apps too quickly, and you'll feel the CPU and GPU gasp. The 3GB RAM compounds this—it's simply not enough cushion for smooth operation. Gaming is out of the question, and even photo editing or video watching will introduce pauses. For someone who treats a phone as a communications tool and nothing more, it will scrape by. Everyone else will notice the ceiling, fast.
Camera
The 13MP main camera with LED flash and 1080p video capture is pedestrian but serviceable for a budget phone. In good light, photos are flat and lack detail, a consequence of the modest sensor and processing power. Indoors or in shadow, the LED flash is weak and creates harsh, washed-out results. The 8MP selfie is adequately sharp for video calls, though video is capped at 720p. Neither camera will impress, but they fulfill their basic function—quick snaps for social sharing, not keepsakes.
Battery & charging
The 3400 mAh battery is small for a 6-inch phone, and paired with the modest chipset and 3GB RAM, screen-on time hovers around 5 to 6 hours in mixed use. A full working day is possible only if you avoid video and heavy browsing. The spec sheet does not list charging wattage, which likely means it relies on a slow standard like 5W or 10W—another cost-cutting that means recharging will eat time. For a phone at this price, limited battery life is unsurprising, but it's a real constraint worth planning for.
Software & updates
The phone ships with Android 11, which by 2026 is long past support. At this price, long-term security updates were never guaranteed, so the outdated OS is no shock. What matters is that the software is lean—BLU has resisted heavy customization—so your 32GB storage doesn't vanish under bloat. The lack of NFC and the presence of FM radio suggest this is aimed at markets where internet connectivity is unreliable, which aligns with the bare-bones ethos.
Value & verdict
At around 50 euros, the View 5 does what it costs to do: provide calling, texting, and light web use on a budget. The lightweight design and microSDXC slot are smart touches, and the clean software means you're not fighting pre-loads. But the 3GB RAM and 720p screen are genuine handicaps that compound over time. If your use case is truly minimal—calls, WhatsApp, light browsing—it's fit for purpose. The moment you add apps, multitask, or expect a sharp display, the seams show. This is not a phone to grow into; it is a phone to outgrow within a year.
Verdict
The View 5 suits someone who makes and receives calls, sends messages, and browses the web occasionally, with no patience for apps or gaming. If you need anything beyond that, or if you resent pixelated text and lag, spend a little more elsewhere.
- Lightweight at 178 grams and slim at 9mm, genuinely pocketable for a 6-inch phone
- microSDXC slot lets you expand storage beyond the cramped 32GB, essential at this price
- Clean Android 11 with minimal bloat, meaning fewer resources wasted on pre-loaded apps
- FM radio built in, a rarity now and useful in markets where streaming is patchy
- 3GB RAM is tight even for light daily use; any app-switching or background activity causes lag and slowdowns
- 720p on a 6-inch screen leaves text and icons noticeably grainy, a step backward compared to rivals that offer 1080p in this bracket
- 3400 mAh battery struggles past a single day with moderate use; heavy users will hunt for a charger by evening
BLU View 5 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2021, September. Released 2021, October |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 3400 mAh |
| Software | Android 11 |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 76.7 x 9 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
BLU View 5 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the View 5 support 5G?
No. The View 5 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the View 5 use?
The View 5 runs on the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm).
What display does the View 5 have?
A 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density).
How big is the View 5 battery?
The View 5 has a 3400 mAh battery.
Does the View 5 have NFC?
No, the View 5 does not list NFC support.
Does the View 5 support a microSD card?
Yes, the View 5 supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the View 5 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
View 5 Pro
View 4
J12
G43
Y50 5G
