I had a Blu phone years ago when I traveled to Europe and needed dual sim capability. That one was pretty basic, but it was cheap and worked fine.
I need both a work and personal cell number so I was carrying around two phones - time for another dual sim phone. The options were rather limited, but Blu has this capability for most of their line. I really don't like the big phones - my personal phone being a iPhone 12 mini - but they are just going to keep getting bigger so I decided to take that feature off my wish list.
I wanted a phone with good battery life. I'm not typically watching a lot of videos, but if I'm on business and social media apps, the occasional phone call, I don't want to suddenly be looking around for a charger. I was also looking for a lot of storage: 128 GB minimum, decent ram and a fast processor. Bonus points for anything not Samsung. Finally, it had to work on Mint Mobile.
The Bold N3 checked pretty much all the boxes. It's big though and I'm getting used to that but I am coming to appreciate the extra screen real estate and resolution. The AMOLED screen is plenty bright and sharp enough. It's fast with no lag whatsoever. The processor is fast and with 8GB ram and 256 GB storage, I feel like I'm getting flagship-level specs for bargain pricing. While no wireless charging, it has a fast charger that will charge to 100% in less than an hour.
On both Android (Sony and Samsung) and iPhones, I always had to setup the Mint Mobile network to accept text messages. PITA. Not so with Blu. It immediately recognized the sim and decided it was T-Mobile (which it basically is since Mint is now owned by them and it's running on their network) and everything immediately worked. No hoops to go through setting up texts. It doesn't seem to make any difference with the network or the phone. What's more, this pulls in stronger 4G LTE signals than my other phones and pulls 5G in places I never was able to.
Dual sim: just works. Both sims work simultaneously. I can take calls on either line - no standby. Call quality is really good. Crystal clear. Speaker is meh. Not stereo or particularly high quality. I just plugin headphones (need a C connector adapter) or go over Bluetooth.
The camera is decent. I can't really complain much about it, but I'm not blown away by it either. I think iPhone provides a much better camera experience as whatever the camera lacks, its software more than makes up for. There's some editing capability with the Blu, but many features can only be unlocked with a Google One membership.
Face recognition is pretty hit and miss. I had it setup initially and it worked fine. But, if I hadn't put in my contacts yet and was wearing my glasses, nope! Put a hat on, nope! Too bright, too dark - um, nope. Finally I just turned it off. Fingerprint sensor works great and no lag to open.
All in all though, this is a great phone for a great price.
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This Item  Bold N3 | 2023 | 5G | 3-Day Battery | Unlocked | 6.78” FHD+3D AMOLED Display | 256/8GB | Triple AI 50MP | NFC Capable | US Version | US Warranty | Sage Green |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $129.99 | -17% $149.99 List: $179.99 | -33% $99.99 List: $149.99 | -19% $487.99 List: $599.99 | $389.82 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Fingerprint reader | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Face recognition | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | — | BLU Products | BLU Products | BLU Products | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| display size | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches | — | — | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| memory capacity | 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| model name | N3 | F92e 5G | G93 | G73 | 10T 5G | ThinkPhone by Motorola - 2023 |
| operating system | Android 13 | Android 12.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 12.0 | Android 13.0 |
| connectivity tech | Wireless | Wi-Fi | NFC | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC | NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| display type | AMOLED | LCD | — | LCD | AMOLED | OLED |
| input interface | — | buttons | — | — | touch screen | touch screen |
Product Description
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Polished EleganceUnleashed sheer brilliance with the BOLD N3. Its sleek, lightweight design features a symmetrical dual-curved screen for boundless vies. Experience immersive visuals with the 3D dual-curved screen. Meticulously crafted with premium materials, it's a masterpiece of elegance and technology. |
Battery PowerhouseWith the BOLD N3, a draining battery will never hold your back. Its 4,700 mAh battery and 66W fast charging ensures less waiting and more device enjoyment. In addition, the advance Dimensity 7050 CPU optimizes power efficiency for extended battery life. Enjoy the power of 5G in a sleek and stylish device. |
Android 13Android 13 is a major update to the android operating system that focuses on privacy and security, with new features like a privacy dashboard, a photo picker that lets you share specific photos without giving an app access to your entire library, and a new security features that lets you revoke permissions from apps your haven't used in a while. |
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Flagship phone on a budget
I received my new BLU Bold N3 (late September 2023.) And I have been playing with since then. This my first foray into 5G. I'm upgrading from a 2021 BLU G91 Pro using 4G LTE, and running on Android 11. My rating of five stars for the BLU Bold N3 (2023) is primarily due to this phone exceeding all my needs from a phone. But to be completely honest, my needs are relatively meager -- and my focus is on value -- how much do you get for the price? In my mind, you get a lot for the price.COMMENTS: I only have a few clarifications, none of which are deal breakers for me, but might be to someone else:[EDIT: Reference to Owner's Manual added 23Sep23]0) Tiny included Owner's manual is hard to read and is really a quick guide to some features -- not a comprehensive manual. More readable versions of the manual can be fund on-line. Most users will be able to figure out what to do without referring to the owner's manual.1) There is no external storage slot for a micro SD. You get 256GB of internal storage, and that's it. That's way more than I need. But it may not be enough for others. Of course, you might be able to use a USB-C dongle for external storage, as the phone specs say it has on-the-go, plug-in capability, but I haven't tried it. You can also defer to cloud storage.2) There is no water-resistant rating. So not a good idea to roam in the rain with it, or drop it in the toilet or a pond. I keep my phone in my pocket and seldom venture out in the rain, so not a big issue for me, but maybe it is for those who like to play in the water with their phones.[EDIT: No Wireless Charging confirmed, added 18Nov23]3) There is no wireless charging. I now have a wireless charger, and have tested the phone. Not to worry, though. This is a big-battery phone, touted at 3-days, and comes with a fast charging wall charger that will charge you phone in under 40 minutes from 1 to 100%. Your mileage, however, will vary with how much you use your phone, where you set screen brightness, what connectivity you have on, and what apps you keep running in the background. Still, some heavy users might want wireless charging. Again, as in the other cons, this isn't a concern for me.[EDIT: Reference to FM Radio added 24Sep23]4) There is no 3.5mm earphone socket. The included earphones have a USB-C connector, which means you can't plug in ear phones while charging the phone. Owner's manual refers to FM Radio which N3 does have, and it uses the included wired earphones as antenna. You can switch the FM Radio sound between speaker and included wired earphones, as long as the wired earphones remain plugged in. However, I was unable to switch the FM Radio sound to wireless earbuds.5) The Blu Bold N3 (2023) will not run on AT&T, or Verizon. So users will be stuck with T-Mobile. Personally, I don't have any issues with T-Mobile, so this isn't an issue for me.[EDIT: Comment on Bluetooth added 24Sep23]6) In the pull-down quick menu, the Blue tooth icon just turns Bluetooth on or off. To get to the Bluetooth options, go to SETTINGS >> CONNECTED DEVICES >> BLUETOOTH to find Bluetooth pairing and other options.(EDIT: Comment on Screen sensitivity added 21 Oct 23)7) The display screen is very sensitive to touch, though I have never had any issues with its curved screen. However, when the phone is in my pocket with the screen facing my body, the screen will start reacting when I am sweating through my clothes. The cure is very simple -- turn the screen around away from my body.OTHER GOOD: There are plenty of good stuff -- in fact, even excellent stuff included for the price. I don't want to repeat BLU's advertising, but I concur with BLU, in that this is a really nice looking phone -- beautiful, in fact, with amazing display that is curved on all four sides, and has fluid motion with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The display also supports edge lighting. I don't have a single issue with BLU's advertised benefits for the N3 (2023). Oh, yeah, the Antutu score is reported as over 592,457, which is pretty awesome.ANDROID 13: I like Android 13, and that's good, because BLU's history of OS upgrades is sparse, if it exists at all. Android 13 makes moving all your apps and data from your old phone to the N3 very easy.USER INTERFACE (Launcher): I don't use the native launcher, which is OK, but I like to enhance the user interface with Nova Prime launcher, which gives me a few more options.OVERALL: A really good 5G phone for a really low price, considering all you get with it. I bought it, I like it, and I would recommend it to my friends.Of course this s a very preliminary review. If in the days ahead I find anything noteworthy or want to re-evaluate, I'll edit the review.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023
I received my new BLU Bold N3 (late September 2023.) And I have been playing with since then.
This my first foray into 5G. I'm upgrading from a 2021 BLU G91 Pro using 4G LTE, and running on Android 11. My rating of five stars for the BLU Bold N3 (2023) is primarily due to this phone exceeding all my needs from a phone. But to be completely honest, my needs are relatively meager -- and my focus is on value -- how much do you get for the price? In my mind, you get a lot for the price.
COMMENTS: I only have a few clarifications, none of which are deal breakers for me, but might be to someone else:
[EDIT: Reference to Owner's Manual added 23Sep23]
0) Tiny included Owner's manual is hard to read and is really a quick guide to some features -- not a comprehensive manual. More readable versions of the manual can be fund on-line. Most users will be able to figure out what to do without referring to the owner's manual.
1) There is no external storage slot for a micro SD. You get 256GB of internal storage, and that's it. That's way more than I need. But it may not be enough for others. Of course, you might be able to use a USB-C dongle for external storage, as the phone specs say it has on-the-go, plug-in capability, but I haven't tried it. You can also defer to cloud storage.
2) There is no water-resistant rating. So not a good idea to roam in the rain with it, or drop it in the toilet or a pond. I keep my phone in my pocket and seldom venture out in the rain, so not a big issue for me, but maybe it is for those who like to play in the water with their phones.
[EDIT: No Wireless Charging confirmed, added 18Nov23]
3) There is no wireless charging. I now have a wireless charger, and have tested the phone. Not to worry, though. This is a big-battery phone, touted at 3-days, and comes with a fast charging wall charger that will charge you phone in under 40 minutes from 1 to 100%. Your mileage, however, will vary with how much you use your phone, where you set screen brightness, what connectivity you have on, and what apps you keep running in the background. Still, some heavy users might want wireless charging. Again, as in the other cons, this isn't a concern for me.
[EDIT: Reference to FM Radio added 24Sep23]
4) There is no 3.5mm earphone socket. The included earphones have a USB-C connector, which means you can't plug in ear phones while charging the phone. Owner's manual refers to FM Radio which N3 does have, and it uses the included wired earphones as antenna. You can switch the FM Radio sound between speaker and included wired earphones, as long as the wired earphones remain plugged in. However, I was unable to switch the FM Radio sound to wireless earbuds.
5) The Blu Bold N3 (2023) will not run on AT&T, or Verizon. So users will be stuck with T-Mobile. Personally, I don't have any issues with T-Mobile, so this isn't an issue for me.
[EDIT: Comment on Bluetooth added 24Sep23]
6) In the pull-down quick menu, the Blue tooth icon just turns Bluetooth on or off. To get to the Bluetooth options, go to SETTINGS >> CONNECTED DEVICES >> BLUETOOTH to find Bluetooth pairing and other options.
(EDIT: Comment on Screen sensitivity added 21 Oct 23)
7) The display screen is very sensitive to touch, though I have never had any issues with its curved screen. However, when the phone is in my pocket with the screen facing my body, the screen will start reacting when I am sweating through my clothes. The cure is very simple -- turn the screen around away from my body.
OTHER GOOD: There are plenty of good stuff -- in fact, even excellent stuff included for the price. I don't want to repeat BLU's advertising, but I concur with BLU, in that this is a really nice looking phone -- beautiful, in fact, with amazing display that is curved on all four sides, and has fluid motion with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The display also supports edge lighting. I don't have a single issue with BLU's advertised benefits for the N3 (2023). Oh, yeah, the Antutu score is reported as over 592,457, which is pretty awesome.
ANDROID 13: I like Android 13, and that's good, because BLU's history of OS upgrades is sparse, if it exists at all. Android 13 makes moving all your apps and data from your old phone to the N3 very easy.
USER INTERFACE (Launcher): I don't use the native launcher, which is OK, but I like to enhance the user interface with Nova Prime launcher, which gives me a few more options.
OVERALL: A really good 5G phone for a really low price, considering all you get with it. I bought it, I like it, and I would recommend it to my friends.
Of course this s a very preliminary review. If in the days ahead I find anything noteworthy or want to re-evaluate, I'll edit the review.
This my first foray into 5G. I'm upgrading from a 2021 BLU G91 Pro using 4G LTE, and running on Android 11. My rating of five stars for the BLU Bold N3 (2023) is primarily due to this phone exceeding all my needs from a phone. But to be completely honest, my needs are relatively meager -- and my focus is on value -- how much do you get for the price? In my mind, you get a lot for the price.
COMMENTS: I only have a few clarifications, none of which are deal breakers for me, but might be to someone else:
[EDIT: Reference to Owner's Manual added 23Sep23]
0) Tiny included Owner's manual is hard to read and is really a quick guide to some features -- not a comprehensive manual. More readable versions of the manual can be fund on-line. Most users will be able to figure out what to do without referring to the owner's manual.
1) There is no external storage slot for a micro SD. You get 256GB of internal storage, and that's it. That's way more than I need. But it may not be enough for others. Of course, you might be able to use a USB-C dongle for external storage, as the phone specs say it has on-the-go, plug-in capability, but I haven't tried it. You can also defer to cloud storage.
2) There is no water-resistant rating. So not a good idea to roam in the rain with it, or drop it in the toilet or a pond. I keep my phone in my pocket and seldom venture out in the rain, so not a big issue for me, but maybe it is for those who like to play in the water with their phones.
[EDIT: No Wireless Charging confirmed, added 18Nov23]
3) There is no wireless charging. I now have a wireless charger, and have tested the phone. Not to worry, though. This is a big-battery phone, touted at 3-days, and comes with a fast charging wall charger that will charge you phone in under 40 minutes from 1 to 100%. Your mileage, however, will vary with how much you use your phone, where you set screen brightness, what connectivity you have on, and what apps you keep running in the background. Still, some heavy users might want wireless charging. Again, as in the other cons, this isn't a concern for me.
[EDIT: Reference to FM Radio added 24Sep23]
4) There is no 3.5mm earphone socket. The included earphones have a USB-C connector, which means you can't plug in ear phones while charging the phone. Owner's manual refers to FM Radio which N3 does have, and it uses the included wired earphones as antenna. You can switch the FM Radio sound between speaker and included wired earphones, as long as the wired earphones remain plugged in. However, I was unable to switch the FM Radio sound to wireless earbuds.
5) The Blu Bold N3 (2023) will not run on AT&T, or Verizon. So users will be stuck with T-Mobile. Personally, I don't have any issues with T-Mobile, so this isn't an issue for me.
[EDIT: Comment on Bluetooth added 24Sep23]
6) In the pull-down quick menu, the Blue tooth icon just turns Bluetooth on or off. To get to the Bluetooth options, go to SETTINGS >> CONNECTED DEVICES >> BLUETOOTH to find Bluetooth pairing and other options.
(EDIT: Comment on Screen sensitivity added 21 Oct 23)
7) The display screen is very sensitive to touch, though I have never had any issues with its curved screen. However, when the phone is in my pocket with the screen facing my body, the screen will start reacting when I am sweating through my clothes. The cure is very simple -- turn the screen around away from my body.
OTHER GOOD: There are plenty of good stuff -- in fact, even excellent stuff included for the price. I don't want to repeat BLU's advertising, but I concur with BLU, in that this is a really nice looking phone -- beautiful, in fact, with amazing display that is curved on all four sides, and has fluid motion with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The display also supports edge lighting. I don't have a single issue with BLU's advertised benefits for the N3 (2023). Oh, yeah, the Antutu score is reported as over 592,457, which is pretty awesome.
ANDROID 13: I like Android 13, and that's good, because BLU's history of OS upgrades is sparse, if it exists at all. Android 13 makes moving all your apps and data from your old phone to the N3 very easy.
USER INTERFACE (Launcher): I don't use the native launcher, which is OK, but I like to enhance the user interface with Nova Prime launcher, which gives me a few more options.
OVERALL: A really good 5G phone for a really low price, considering all you get with it. I bought it, I like it, and I would recommend it to my friends.
Of course this s a very preliminary review. If in the days ahead I find anything noteworthy or want to re-evaluate, I'll edit the review.
Images in this review
