Blu Flex Review: A $20 KaiOS Device with Essential Features

[@ruarimaccormack4089]

One glitch in the OS. The calendar sets the time 4 hours after when you set it. Other than that, it’s great. It does some things more efficiently and in fewer clicks than a smartphone which I found surprising, and it doesn’t allow you to just stumble into distracting apps. This is what all phones should be.

[@SPACERzed1337]

Thanks for the review, I was keeping my eye out for it.

[@MattRamsey-p5r]

Can you delete apps on it? Could I delete the KZbin app? The store app?

[@JoshQ-mc4bb]

The flip 3 looks a bit more professional and has a higher megapixel camera. Also, the tcl 3 has a button on the front that lets you answer the phone without opening it long pressing it activates a flashlight

[@CrossStix]

Funny, the BLU product page for this phone advertises that it supposts both WhatsApp and Facebook apps. I think they just reused KaiOS 2.5.x talking points, never bothering to double check compatibility with 3.x.

[@YERALDINASAMANIEGO-k9c]

Is there a basic phone like this, WITHOUT KZbin?

[@JoseBriones]

Not as of now

[@STR82DVD]

All for 20 bucks. TCL should be ashamed man. Thanks lad. Great stuff.

[@CrossStix]

​@@STR82DVD Continuing from my comments on the previous video. It's not mentioned here, but this is a TracFone model. TracFone is the one that sets the price here. The BLU Tank Flip (factory unlocked) for example has an MSRP of 80 bucks, same as the TCL Flip 3. (Not sure where Jose got it for 100 bucks) Not to be annoying, but just wanted to put things into perspective again.

[@STR82DVD]

@@CrossStix You're awesome. Straight up. I bloody love discourse. Now, the phone. May it, in fact, be purchased for $20 American dollars? If so, again, the consumer is not going to really care about the vendor for a $20 handset with the caveat that the terms of use and/or service were not to be prohibitive in some contractual manner. If rather the handset is available for $80, then again, I can think of no good reason for the Blu's existence anymore than I can the TCL offerings existence as a consumer product when you can literally order a brand new sealed S22 (yes, it's after-market) with all my same arguments put forth in the last video. 🙏😉

[@CrossStix]

​​​​@@STR82DVD At this very moment in time, no the TCL Flip 3 can't be purchased for $20. However, if you Google it, you'll find a tutorial for a TracFone variant, that was made available in April. TracFone typically makes these available a few months or so before release. Combine that with TracFone almost always selling flips for $20 or maybe $30. I think it's very likely a TracFone variant will be out soon, again probably for $20. All that being said, I know SOME people will care about the vendor/carrier; they already have a family plan, coverage etc. The CAT S22 won't work on Verizon, or even Verizon MVNOs for example, due to lack of certification. At least not without hacky workarounds involving sacrificing another certified phone (the certified phone won't work on Verizon at the same time as the uncertified one). Whereas the TCL Flip 3 and BLU Flex (via TracFone) will work on the Verizon network, without any hacky workarounds.

[@CrossStix]

​​​​​​​​​​@@STR82DVDSorry for the clusterF of replies by the way. KZbin was censoring my comments for whatever reason. Kept trying to edit/repost it to see if they'd accept or not. *Deleted the extra ones now that they all showed up. P.S. - To be clear the TCL Flip 3, and BLU Flex are both Verizon certified (TracFone is owned by Verizon). Also credit to Turk Forums for the TracFone tutorial tip off.

[@CrossStix]

@@STR82DVD I would respond with more info, but KZbin keeps removing my responses for whatever reason. One more try: The TCL will almost certainly be available on Tracfone soon, as indicated by a tutorial available (credit Turk). Likely $20 or $30, what these flips tend to go for. I'm fairly certain SOME people will care about the vendor/carrier. Family plans, coverage etc. The cat S22 won't work on the red V carrier for example, without workarounds involving an extra certified phone (extra phone can't be used on red V carrier at the same time as S22). The TCL and BLU on the other hand are red V network certified, so no workarounds necessary.

[@CrossStix]

May I suggest something? I don't believe the carrier was mentioned here, nor in your previous TCL Flip 3 review. I imagine people would find that helpful. As I imagine you're aware, prices naturally differ between carrier branded phones (postpaid or even prepaid), factory unlocked, and budget prepaid brands like TracFone (that offer subsidized phones). Comparing the TCL Flip 3 at $100 postpaid, factory unlocked, or even prepaid Verizon ($80), to a budget prepaid carrier brand that subsidizes their phones, like here (TracFone), doesn't seem fair to me. As I mentioned on your other video, the upcoming TCL Flip 3 TracFone variant is likely to be $20, maybe $30 at the most, as that seems to be the going rate for TracFone flips. To be clear, I don't disagree that $100 is too much for TCL Flip 3. I just think it's worth taking the carrier and/or unlock status into account before comparing prices.

[@JoseBriones]

Fair enough. I'll try to include that in future reviews, maybe in the Q&A section.

[@CrossStix]

@@JoseBriones Thanks much

[@dougjones4007]

How is it at making phone calls? Will it come with my ara code

[@1framistan]

Someone please tell me how to get this BLU flip phone to play my MP3's sequentially!!! Yes I have the music in the MUSIC folder. Yes I turned on the RED ICON called "shuffel play" and yes I turned on the RED icon called PLAY ALL (not play-ONE). I tried it with the flip lid OPEN and CLOSED. It only plays ONE SONG then stops.

[@ptfnafboi8471]

that happens to me too i hope they fix this soon

[@pixelgaming7261]

Can you add a compare tool to your dumbphone finder?

[@JoseBriones]

Good idea. I'll start working on implementing something like this

[@pixelgaming7261]

@@JoseBriones Thanks for the response! This'll come in handy!

[@karilynn3535]

Hi Jose....I just got this Blu Flex for one purpose that being to use a a phone----just a phone. Technology is moving too fast at my age (68) and I just want a phone. I had Tracfone preserve my original phone number and dump all else---photos, phone numbers, etc. I will hand put the phone number I want...small number...I'm not a big social person. I can't figure out how to input the numbers I need to keep. Can you tell me how? Thanks in advance.

[@JoseBriones]

Hey Karilynn! There is a contacts app that can help you with adding phone numbers to be saved.

[@DrummerLance]

I cannot find any info to shut off the voice audio on the phone.

[@JoseBriones]

Go to settings and find the option that says read aloud or talk back.

[@moredatesmorefiber3526]

Wait, you said the device lasts for 1 to 3 days? You throw it away after day three?

[@JoseBriones]

Battery life

[@papermario3982]

I'm so sorry but this comment is cracking me tf up 💀

[@shondamccoy3]

My husband has one for calls and text only ❤

[@ohfuku]

Can you use other apps like signal or telegram? .. Personally Ive had enuf of wts app

[@JoseBriones]

Those apps are not available on this device sadly.

[@ohfuku]

@@JoseBriones Bummer ... Thx for replying tho 👍

[@stevejohnson1321]

The Kai phones tend to be a lot more durable. I dropped my Alcatel a number of times with no damage. The screen would probably fracture if my galaxy model fell.

[@gabbiepruitt9383]

For some reason I’m having trouble with the KaiOs it won’t download the store update at all, is there a solution to this?

[@JoseBriones]

Make sure you have a SIM card inserted. Sometimes KaiOS acts up if there is no SIM card.

[@Streetphotog-dn1zy]

Jose may i ask something irrelevant ? Between the Doro 7030 and the ttfone 970 which would you choose for use in Europe ?

[@JoseBriones]

I'd try the TTFone first because it has a better usable touchscreen if you need it.

[@irene1234]

The battery life on mine drains so fast, even on power saving mode. Did I just get a defective one?

[@johhnyapplefake4520]

Same with mine. It lasts hours, not days, and that's with the lid closed and on airplane mode

[@irene1234]

Try turning on power saving mode as well, my battery lasts much longer with that.

[@johhnyapplefake4520]

@@irene1234 thanks, I'll give the a try!

[@Housestationlive]

lot of dumbphones are about 80-120 € but some others for 20-25 with the exact same features. the margin is as huge as iphones. theses dumbdudes are super cheap to produce.

[@melindashacklette1018]

How do you get a capital letter for just trying to sign into a WiFi password

[@JoseBriones]

Try the # key to change to capital letters mode. Also, the top left key may allow you to change modes as well.

[@CountrysideCutie]

Is there a way to rotate the inner screen to watch KZbin? Thanks!

[@JoseBriones]

Nope

[@CountrysideCutie]

@JoseBriones Thanks for the reply... There is a way, it's just done with each KZbin video I watch. 😃

[@kathyhanson7337]

Im looking for a basic flip phone like this one but with voice texting, any suggestions

[@Billy2334_lit]

The best voice typing option for a flip phone is probably the sunbeam f1 series phones and lite phones

[@thegamingchronicleswithyer9397]

Does it come with micro usb for charging. Or usb c

[@JoseBriones]

USB C

[@CountrysideCutie]

Hi. Thanks for the video! Would you recommend this device or the Nokia 2780? (Nokia is unlocked, a plus!). Thank you. 😀

[@CrossStix]

​@@CountrysideCutie Jose said he thought the BLU Flex was more robust than the 2760 (basically the same as the 2780, but locked). BLU Flex also has a better SoC (processor) and double the RAM. That being said, I think these Nokia flips often hold a better signal than other comparable phones, despite what the phone reports for bars, if that's important to you.

[@JoseBriones]

It should be! If you need an unlocked phone stay with the Nokia, but the Blu is great if you can do Tracfone

[@CountrysideCutie]

Thank you both for the replies. 😀

[@Banana16386]

Doesnt have hotspot does it?

[@JoseBriones]

It doesn't by default.

[@GiaHall-xb8gg]

Yes

[@Leland-od4zw]

I just got this phone its kinda sick NHL its very minimum and keeps you from social media which I like, I have figured out how to run robots on it,it's really laugh on robots tho!😂😂😂

[@Misc935]

Would you say the hardware is more rugged or durable than the 2760?

[@JoseBriones]

Slightly better than the 2760. More robust

[@y4lnux]

I hate WA, however nowadays its a Must to have access to WA and Telegram as a backup, that's why I quit using my Nokia 2720, technically it had WA, but useless

[@BOBtoper]

@@y4lnux what WA is?

[@JoseBriones]

WhatsApp

[@BOBtoper]

@@y4lnux i hate wa as well. Now days you can get sim only no limit plan for cheap but peoples still male phone calls throug Wa. I never answer these calls only form my family that is abroad

[@my_eman]

Since it doesn't support WhatsApp.. it lacks most important apss in this phone.

[@BOBtoper]

Another flip without whatsapp. I like xiaomi z1 but many peoples saying its just for phone calls and sms

[@JoseBriones]

The Z1 is not good anymore. I'd agree with that

[@TimothyNoel-m3r]

How in God's name do you enter your contacts. It always craps out if you type even a few letters or numbers? For me it was a waste of money

[@greyjay9202]

Most of the bargain phones you review, both bar and flip, have greatly increased in price. Most of them will not work in the U.S., where 4G LTE is the minimum level of connectivity. They may be worthwhile phones, but your reviews are misleading for U.S. viewers.

[@JoseBriones]

I'm confused. This phone has VoLTE and it works in the US.