BLU G9 Pro Review

A Quick Review of the Blu G9 Pro Smartphone

BLU G9 Pro Review

A few weeks ago, BLU updated its lineup of new devices with the launch of the G9 Pro‒ a follow up to the G9 that introduces significant improvements. The most evident change on the successor is the triple rear camera setup. In addition to an extra shooter, the G9 Pro also comes with a faster chipset, enhanced display resolution, more storage space, and wireless charging.

On paper, the BLU G9 Pro stands out against smartphones in the same price range. It can even compete with more expensive devices and is already considered by many as one of the best BLU phones.

If you are thinking about getting the BLU G9 Pro, read our comprehensive review of the device to help you decide if it has enough bang for the buck.

Design

blu g9 pro design

The blue and purple pattern design of the BLU G9 Pro is enclosed in a premium glass back cover and metallic middle housing. It is reminiscent of some flagship devices because of its teardrop-style notch. 

Besides the new pattern design and the triple rear camera setup, BLU has mostly maintained the look of its predecessor. The position of the fingerprint sensor is easy to reach, while the volume rocker and power button are still in the same spot. The inclusion of a headphone jack is also a nice touch.

Overall, the BLU G9 Pro looks and feels like a flagship device that is worth twice the price.

Display

blu g9 pro display

The display is another aspect where the BLU G9 Pro took a huge leap from its predecessor. From a resolution of 720×1520 px (267 PPI), the Pro version offers a much-improved 1080×2340 px (409 PPI). The curved 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel comes with a screen-to-body ratio of 82.6% and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

However, the display on the BLU G9 Pro is just not as vivid as OLED. The IPS LCD panel may jar people who have gotten used to an OLED screen, but it is a bargain for the price. 

Camera

BLU G9 Pro camera Review

The improved triple camera setup is one of the most anticipated upgrades on the BLU G9 Pro. It now features a 16 MP Sony IMX499 primary camera along with a 20 MP Sony IMX476 night shooter and a 5 MP Samsung 5K5E9 depth sensor. 

The BLU G9 Pro is equipped with A.I camera technology that automatically identifies the scene to produce professional-grade quality. Meanwhile, night mode enables users to take clear images in low-light conditions. Other camera features include LED flash, HDR, and panorama. 

The BLU G9 Pro can take videos at 1080p 30 FPS resolution. The device also features a 24 MP Samsung S5K2X5 front-facing camera that is also capable of shooting videos at 1080p 30 FPS. 

One of the most significant downsides is the software-based portrait mode that poorly performs when used with the front-facing camera. It also lacks telephoto and wide-angle features, which are staples in modern flagship devices.

Overall, the camera setup on the BLU G9 Pro is decent, but it struggles to keep up with the latest trends in mobile photography.

User Interface

The BLU G9 Pro runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) out of the box. The device provides an identical user interface experience to its predecessor aside from a few changes to the Quick Settings Panel and Settings Menu. Although it is promised an upgrade to Android 10.0 along with two years of security patches, the company has a history of failing to deliver planned software improvements.

Another notable addition to the BLU G9 Pro is the Face ID feature. It lets you unlock the device using your face as an alternative to the fingerprint sensor.

Taken all together, the software and user interface on the BLU G9 Pro offers more than what you can expect at the price point.

Performance

The BLU G9 Pro is powered by an octa-core 2.0 GHz Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 SOC paired with the Mali-G72 MP3 GPU. It is capable of delivering remarkable energy efficiency, which is necessary for demanding applications that employ A.I and AR processing power.

To guarantee smooth performance and flawless user experience, the BLU G9 Pro also comes with 128 GB of internal storage along with 4 GB of RAM. The memory can be doubled via the micro SD slot. Besides the rear-mounted fingerprint reader, other sensors on the device include an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. The integration of the Face ID and fingerprint makes it easy to secure and unlock the device. 

However, the BLU G9 Pro lacks support for LTE bands 14/29/30/66/71 and LTE Cat. 11. LTE bands 2/4/5/12/13 are sufficient for baseline services, but it cannot keep up with the speeds offered by mainstream carriers.

Battery Life

The BLU G9 Pro packs a non-removable battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. The most notable attribute of the device with regards to the battery is the included support for 10W Wireless Qi Charging in addition to 18W Type-C Quick Charging. It promises 21 hours of talk time and up to 50% in less than 30 minutes. 

For a mid-range device, the BLU G9 Pro has a relatively long-lasting battery life which lets you worry less and do more.

Final Words

The BLU G9 Pro is arguably the most impressive phone to come out of the company thus far. Apart from the elegant design and premium build quality, it can compete with more expensive devices in terms of performance. The new triple camera set may disappoint some users, but it is more than capable of being an everyday shooter. The promised upgrade to Android 10.0 and two years of security updates is also appreciated. However, the company has failed to deliver guaranteed software upgrades. 

If you want a flagship experience for less than twice the cost, the BLU G9 Pro has an excellent bang for the buck as long as they can keep their word and supply the promised software updates this time around.