With three cell phones named B3, B6 and B9, the Blu Smartphones is back in Brazil. Founded in 2009, the company has already had at least three visits to the country. In the new phase, which officially begins this Thursday (20), the plan is to put down roots. That’s why, this time, all smartphones will be manufactured in Manaus (AM).
Blu’s return follows a new strategy, but preserves a characteristic that has existed since its beginnings: low cost for the consumer. At least in relation to the values practiced by the consolidated brands in Brazil. Official prices for the three cell phones announced today start at R$999.
The company also bets on the concept that it calls the Complete Box, which determines that the device is accompanied by all essential accessories.
Complete box: charger, headphones and more
You know, perhaps from experience, that headphones are increasingly rare in smartphone packaging. Although in a much smaller proportion, chargers too.
This Complete Box is a marketing approach that Blu created to say that it does not follow this trend. Models B3, B6 and B9 leave the factory with charger, USB-C cable, TWS Bluetooth headphones and protective cover.
Manufacturing in Brazil
Blu is based in Miami and manufactures its smartphones in China and Vietnam. But that goes for models sold in other countries. For Brazil, the company decided to manufacture the B3, B6 and B9 models in the Manaus Free Trade Zone.
This is possible thanks to a partnership with Luxpay, a manufacturer of electronic products that has card machines in its portfolio, for example. In fact, it was precisely Luxpay that requested approval of the three cell phones at Anatel.
The distribution of cell phones in the Brazilian territory will be done mainly by Allied. It’s a promising partnership. The company already has experience in distributing Xiaomi smartphonesfor example.
With two strong partners for the national operation, Samuel Ohev-Zion, CEO of Blu, has good expectations about the brand’s return to Brazil:
We are happy to start our operation developing products according to the needs of the Brazilian market. We will offer consumers a brand that combines affordable handsets without sacrificing style, design and quality.
The Blu B3, B6 and B9 cell phones
Despite the optimism shown by Ohev-Zion, the aspect of the new cell phones that we are most interested in is performance, right? But there is still no detailed information about them.
Officially, the Blu B3 and Blu B6 are known to have a 2 GHz quad-core chip, while the Blu B9 features a 1.6 GHz octa-core processor.
However, our mystery solver Everton Favretto found strong evidence that the Blu B3 is the same or very similar to the Blu G40. The Blu B6 would be equivalent to the Blu G50 Mega 2022, while the Blu B9 would correspond to the Blu G71L.
If this comparison is correct, the three cell phones that the brand has reserved for Brazil will have the following specifications:
| (Possible specifications) | Blu B3 | Blu B6 | Blu B9 |
| Screen | 6 inch HD | 6.5 inch HD | 6.5 inch HD |
| chip | Unisoc T310 (quad-core Cortex-A75) | Unisoc T310 (quad-core Cortex-A75) | Unisoc SC9863 (octa-core Cortex-A75) |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB | 128 GB |
| Frontal camera | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| rear cameras | 13 + 13 MP | 12 + 12 MP | 13 + 2 + 2 MP |
| Drums | 3,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
Based on these datasheets, it is clear that we are talking about basic devices for intermediates. In the end, Blu’s plan is to conquer space in the Brazilian market by exploring the pocket factor, at least at this stage.
It is a strategy that can have a positive effect on sales volume, after all, it involves consumers who go to stores in search of a cheap cell phone. The problem is that, when only the price is taken into account, the user hardly creates a bond with the brand.
In order to have an identity with the brand, it is also necessary to build a positive experience. Only time will tell if Blu will succeed in this mission. But judging by the specs offered, I wouldn’t bet my chips on it.
Availability and pricing
Despite the official announcement having been made today, sales of the products have not yet started. Blu hints that the three cell phones will hit the market soon, however. Official prices are already known:
- Blu B3: BRL 999
- Blu B6: BRL 1,399
- Blu B9: BRL 1,699
All will have a one-year warranty and, of course, technical assistance service.
It is worth remembering that the Blu’s latest foray into Brazil was at the beginning of 2021, with devices that cost from R$ 800. Before that, in 2018, the company brought to Brazil the Blu Vivo XI and Vivo XI+ cell phonesbut had to change their name because of the Brazilian operator.
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/10/20/blu-aposta-no-brasil-de-novo-agora-com-celulares-a-partir-de-r-1-mil/