Florida-based smartphone maker BLU is preparing to launch a new smartphone in the U.S., according to a recent FCC certificate reviewed by AndroidHeadlines which specifically references the Android device as the BLU Vivo XL4. The unit is expected to hit the shelves as a direct sequel to the Vivo XL3 (pictured above) which was unveiled in February and launched stateside through Amazon a month later, and although its detailed specifications are still missing, it’s likely that the new model will fit in the same mid-range segment as its predecessor.
According to the FCC documents, the BLU Vivo XL4 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, along with Bluetooth BR/EDR/LE and a variety of radio frequencies for GSM, GPRS, EGPRS, WCDMA, HSPA, DC-HSDPA, HSPA+, and LTE. The device was approved by the FCC in late September, so there is a possibility that the smartphone might be unveiled in the U.S. this year, or in early 2019 at the latest, assuming the series will follow a yearly launch cycle. As for other internal hardware specifications, no additional information was shared by the FCC but the existing BLU Vivo XL3 should be a good point of reference as to what to expect. The handset was released with a MediaTek MT6737 chipset, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of flash memory expandable via a microSD card slot. It carried a 13-megapixel main camera coupled with a front-facing sensor sharing the same resolution, and featured a rear-fitted fingerprint reader, along with a 5.5-inch display boasting an elongated 18:9 image format and a pixel count of 1,440 by 720. The BLU Vivo XL3 ran Android 8.0 Oreo at launch but the sequel could use Android 9 Pie instead, provided it doesn’t launch in the coming weeks.
Assuming that BLU will maintain its existing product strategy, the Vivo XL4 could also be accompanied by a Plus model with a larger display, an improved camera setup, and possibly a different, more powerful SoC. Moreover, the Vivo XL3 was launched stateside for $190, so unless the OEM has drastically changed its pricing philosophy on the Vivo XL series over the past eight months or so, then the Vivo XL4 should fit in a similar price range.
