BLU Win HD LTE review: A gorgeous Windows Phone device at a decent price

BLU didn’t impress us when we explored the very first Win HD back in 2014. It felt like a cheap plastic device, complete with a variety of minor issues. The brand new Win HD LTE from BLU recently landed on our doorsteps (along with its younger sibling) begging for us to change our minds — and we were definitely impressed this time around. BLU really outdid themselves with a gorgeous device at a decent price. Let’s take a look.

First Impressions

Having used the Win HD from BLU (the original device without the LTE support), I was expecting something similar with the LTE model. In essence, I was expecting a cheap build and large 5-inch display that looks decent and works with just a few hitches. After all, the Win HD was targeted as a budget to mid-range 5-inch Windows Phone device with an affordable price tag.
When I unboxed the metal dark grey-colored Win HD LTE, I was disappointed. And that’s a good thing because I was expecting another plastic, cheap phone from BLU. Not this time. My initial first reaction was, “wow, this phone looks absolutely beautiful.”  The Win HD LTE looks stylish with its metal finish, having a screen resolution that is vibrant, extremely responsive, and amazing, with a top-notch build quality. BLU really outdid themselves with this Windows Phone device. I seriously felt like I had an expensive smartphone in my hands.
The phone runs Windows Phone 8.1 and does not feature any bloat ware or unnecessary changes to the operating system, mainly because the device is available for purchase unlocked via the Microsoft Store, rather than via a carrier. BLU promises an upgrade to Windows 10 for phones as soon as the new operating system arrives, so let’s hope they keep true to their promise.

Hardware and Performance

The Win HD LTE features a Snapdragon 410 chip that offers 1.2GHz of Quad-Core processing power and a 64-bit architecture. The device also features a gorgeous 5-inch 720×1280 IPS display (does not have Corning Gorilla Glass), 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 8GB of storage, and 1GB of RAM. The device features a 2.5mm bezel that accentuates the vivid 5-inch HD display.
Overall, performance was smooth and the operating system ran without a glitch. Opening and closing apps were a breeze and animations had no lag. The device features a 2500 mAh battery, easily lasting us an entire day with moderate usage and without having to plug in a wall charger. 
With the previous generation Win HD, there was a noticeable touch-screen issue that made it hard to use the phone. BLU rolled out a firmware update soon after the phone’s release and resolved the issue but the touch screen still seemed flimsy. With the new Win HD LTE, the touch screen does not have that same issue — it seems flawless, extremely responsive, and looks great.

Win HD LTE vs Win JR LTE

The new Win JR LTE from BLU will soon be available for $99.99 at Microsoft Stores and Amazon.com, while the Win HD LTE from BLU is now available for $229.99 exclusively at Microsoft Stores both online and in-store, completely unlocked with Dual Sim functionality and 4G LTE. Both devices have been completely redesigned compared to their predecessors and are upgradable to Windows 10, when the operating system is released this summer.

Looking at the specs, both devices feature LTE support as well as Dual SIM support. The JR comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage, while the HD comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. Plenty of room for your games and media. The display on the JR is 4.5-inches, vs the 5-inch HD display. The HD is slightly heavier and has a slightly higher ppi.
The processor and GPU are both similar, and the camera is 5MP and 8MP for the JR and HD, respectively. The HD records in 1080p, while the JR records in 720p. Both devices come in a variety of color options, including grey, white, orange, and yellow. However, the HD is available in an exclusive pink color too.
So what’s the big difference between these two smartphones? The price ($100 difference between the two), the RAM (512MB vs 1GB), and the screen size (4.5-inch vs 5-inch) are the three biggest differences in my opinion. Check out the specs below.