Introduction

This is really a tough selection here – and I really mean it this time.  Both devices are lower end, especially the Motorola Moto E, whereas the BLU Life Pure Mini is a lower priced device and a mini version of its bigger brother, the Blu Life Pure. The Moto G was released less than six months ago to conquer the emerging countries and provide customers the opportunity to purchase a new, well-made device, at a reasonable cost and has since gone on to be their biggest selling smartphone of all time…they are following it up with the Moto E, a more stripped downed version, even though it had a couple additions lacking on the Moto G. BLU Products, out of Miami, Florida, was founded in 2009 with the goal to ‘provide advanced, unlocked mobile devices at incredible pricing’ for prepaid, MVNO, and large retailers across the U.S. and Latin America. Both Motorola and Blu Products seem to be meeting their goals.

Both devices lack LTE, although the Blue Mini does support 4G HSPA+.  The devices use a different processor, although both should perform quite adequately and both devices are packing 1GB of RAM. The devices are very similar in size with the Mini winning out the battle of the thinnest at 8.9 mm versus the 12.3 mm on the Moto E. Both devices are priced right as well with the Moto E being the winner at only $129 and the Pure Mini coming in at $249.00…but you get quite a bit more for your extra $120.00.

Please look over the specifications below and then we will look at how these two devices differ and then try and pick a winner from this comparison.

Specifications

Motorola Moto E

The Moto E is basically a cheaper version of the Moto G that came out six months ago – and this is not a bad thing for the users that they were designed and intended for…it just makes them rather ‘unexciting.’  It is exciting that Motorola can design and sell a well-built device in this price range and it is a blessing for the many purchasers that might otherwise be unable to buy a new smartphone.  The display on the Moto E at 4.3-inches is only slightly smaller than the 4.5-inch Pure Mini, however the resolution on the Moto E is only 960×540 with 256 pixels-per-inch (ppi) compared to the Pure Mini’s 1280 x 720 with 326 ppi.  The Moto E does have the most up-to-date Snapdragon 200 processor, but falls short as only dual-core and clocked at 1.2GHz.  Internal storage on the Moto E is only 4GB, but Motorola included a microSD slot to add an additional 32GB, and speaking of slots, it does have Dual-SIM capability. The Moto E suffers in the camera department as well – only 5MP main camera with no flash and no front-facing camera.  The Moto E has an adequate 1980mAh battery, but cannot possibly compete with the 3000mAh Pure Mini battery.  The Moto E does run the latest Android 4.4 KitKat, which certainly beats out the old 4.2 Jelly Bean on the Pure Mini, and it is hard to beat the price of only $129.

BLU Life Pure Mini

Our review of the Pure Mini found it to be a very adequate smartphone for the money – well built, comfortable in the hand, and a very colorful UI. The Pure Mini has a 4.5-inch 720p display, which is both larger and with better resolution than the Moto E.  The Pure Mini jumps from the dual-core of the Moto E to a quad-core processor and is clocked at a higher 1.5GHz with 16GB of internal storage…much better than the 4GB found in the Moto E, but there is no microSD card slot in the Pure Mini as there is in the Moto E.  The 8MP camera is much better (not saying a whole lot) than the Moto E’s 5MP, not only because of the 3MP, but the Pure Mini also sports an LED flash and it has a 2MP front-facing camera for night-time shots, video chats and selfies – something that the Moto E altogether lacks.  When we get to the battery department, the 3000mAh battery is unheard of in a mini device, and certainly crushes the 1980mAh battery of the Moto E. Even though it is only running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, it is quite a bit of smartphone for only $249.

…and the Winner is…

Summary

After going through the features of these two devices, it was easier at the end to choose the BLU Life Pure Mini over the Moto E. These comparisons are based mostly on specs and the Pure Mini is simply too much for the Moto E to over come – yes, the Moto E is only $129, but the reality of it is that most people that will read this comparison will agree with me – we simply want more in our smartphone than the $129 Moto E can deliver. The Pure Mini has a better display and processor, more internal memory, bigger battery, and much better camera options – a flash and a front-facing camera. While it is a 3G device, if on the right network, it will support 4G HSPA+ as well. It is disappointing that it is only running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but the rest of the specs just outweighs its shortcomings.

Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know what you think about these two devices – would you like to have one as a backup or starter phone for your kids…as always, we would love to hear from you.