Android-Powered BLU Studio 7.0 Claims to be the “World’s Largest Smartphone”

Move over, 7-inch tablets, you’re phones now.

That’s the message phonemaker BLU Products is sending with its new 7-inch Android device, the BLU Studio 7.0.  Recall that just four years ago, back in 2010 Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd.’s (KRX:005930) (KRX:005935) Galaxy Tab defined the 7-inch form factor as a “tablet.”

But Samsung and other Android OEMs have been creeping up the size of their smartphones via the so-called “phablet” form factor.  Originally 5-inch devices were dubbed “smartphones” and 6-inch ones were dubbed “phablets”.  Now with 6-inch devices expected to become the new smartphone norm, BLU had taken a bold approach, claiming its 7-incher is a “true smartphone”, not a phablet.

BLU Products is somewhat of a new name on the Android and Windows mobile device scene.  Based out of Doral — a suburb of Miami, Flor. — the BLU brand is one of the fastest growing phonemakers in the emerging Latin Americans smartphone market.

The BLU Studio 7.0 sells for $159 USD + shipping for an unlocked unit from Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN).  It packs a modest spec for a budget device:

• DESIGN
  • Dimensions: 187.5 x 103 x 9.4 mm (7.38 x 4.06 x 0.37 in.)
  • Weight: 299 g (10.547 oz.)
  • Colors: Blue, Gold, Grey, White
• SOFTWARE
  • OS: Google Inc. (GOOG) Android 4.4.2 (“KitKat”)
• HARDWARE
  • Display: Size 600 x 1024 pixels, 7.0 in. (169 ppi density)
  • Processor
    • CPU: Dual-core 1.3 GHz
    • GPU: Mali-400
  • Memory: 1 GB LPDDR2
  • Storage: 8 GB (internal) + microSD (up to 64 GB)
  • Camera
    • Rear: 5 MP w/ autofocus + LED flash
    • Front: 2MP
  • Battery: 3000 mAh (non-removable)
  • Connectivity: HSPA+ @21 Mbps (850/2100 MHz or 850/1900 MHz depending on carrier/region)

It should be noted that Samsung was perhaps the first to start the 7-inch phone frenzy with its Galaxy W — a 7-inch mid-range phablet announced in June.  Samsung also quitely launched the Tab 3 Lite 3G as a budget 7-inch phablet.  The BLU Products sales guide even specifically compares the latter device to the Studio 7.0 indicating that it views that Samsung device as the chief competition.

Samsung, however has somewhat avoided calling its 7-inch call-capable devices “smartphones”, hence perhaps where BLU’s claim to have the “biggest smartphone” on the market comes from.