BLU “All-Day Infinity” (SM-M580) Review: A Budget Smartphone

The BLU “All-Day Infinity” (model SM-M580) positions itself as a no-frills, ultra-affordable smartphone that lives up to its name by prioritizing battery life above all else. Priced under $100 unlocked, it targets users who need long-lasting performance for calls, messaging, social media, and light media consumption, without breaking the bank. Over the past week, I’ve carried the All-Day Infinity as my primary device—testing its durability, battery endurance, software quirks, and basic camera performance—to see whether it truly offers “all-day” stamina and reliable functionality. Here’s an in-depth look at how this entry-level handset performs in real-world scenarios, what compromises it makes to achieve its price, and who stands to benefit most from its strengths.

Design & Build: Functional Plastic, Comfortable Hold

At first glance, the BLU All-Day Infinity feels solidly built for an under-$100 phone. Its unibody plastic construction lacks the premium heft of glass or metal, yet the matte-textured back resists fingerprints and everyday scratches far better than glossy finishes. Available in Basic Black and Slate Gray, the finish remains subdued, appealing to users seeking a phone that blends discreetly into pockets and bags.

The handset measures 164.5 × 75.8 × 9.1 mm and weighs approximately 195 g—marginally larger and heavier than many budget competitors but attributable largely to its giant 6,000 mAh battery. In hand, the gently rounded edges and slightly curved back panel ensure a comfortable grip, even for extended stretches of one-handed use. The front-facing bezels are moderately thick—especially along the bottom chin—reflecting the phone’s modest 5.5 inch HD+ display (more on that later). However, at this price point, the lack of narrow bezels is forgivable.

On the right side, you’ll find the textured power button and volume rocker—both offering solid tactile feedback, though requiring a slightly firmer press than mid- or high-end devices. The top edge houses a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack (a welcome inclusion), while the bottom edge provides a micro USB charging port and a single downward-firing speaker. On the left, a hybrid SIM tray accepts either two nano-SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card (up to 128 GB), granting flexibility for users who need extra storage.

There’s no attempt at water or dust resistance—no IP rating—so you’ll want to keep it dry. Yet overall fit and finish feels surprisingly resilient: no noticeable creaks, flex, or loose seams even when pressing firmly on the display or back panel. If your chief concern is longevity during typical pocket and hand use, the All-Day Infinity passes muster for a phone in its class.

Display: A 5.5 Inch HD+ Panel—Legible but Limited

BLU outfits the All-Day Infinity with a 5.5 inch IPS LCD at 720 × 1440 (HD+) resolution. That translates to around 293 pixels per inch, which is sufficient for reading emails, browsing social media, and watching short videos without immediately spotting individual pixels. Text appears decently crisp, and basic UI elements—app icons, menu text—display legibly. However, compared to larger 1080p screens or brighter panels found on slightly pricier devices, this display exhibits several limitations:

1. Brightness & Outdoor Readability: Peak brightness hovers around 350 nits, which works well indoors but struggles under direct sunlight. Glancing at the screen on a sunny day requires shading it with your hand or angling the phone sharply to see notifications clearly.

2. Color & Contrast: Colors skew toward a cooler palette—blues appear slightly washed, and blacks appear more like dark grays. Contrast remains modest; dark scenes in videos lose detail when viewed in dimly lit environments.

3. Viewing Angles: Tilt the device beyond 30 degrees, and contrast drops noticeably. Off-axis viewing results in slight color shifts, but not enough to completely obscure content.

4. Touch Responsiveness: While taps and swipes register reliably 95 percent of the time, you occasionally need to press slightly harder than on mid-range phones to navigate smaller UI elements (like tiny checkboxes).

Despite these compromises, the display remains serviceable for basic tasks—especially given the phone’s price and emphasis on battery life rather than media prowess. For checking notifications, scrolling through social feeds, or sending quick messages, it holds up without introducing severe fatigue or confusion.

Performance: Unisoc SC9863A1 Chipset for Everyday Use

Under the hood, the All-Day Infinity relies on a Unisoc SC9863A1 octa-core processor (four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.2 GHz) paired with 2 GB of LPDDR3 RAM. Storage clocks in at 32 GB eMMC, with approximately 21 GB free out of the box. Here’s how that modest configuration fares in daily scenarios:

1. App Launches & Multitasking: Opening essential apps—WhatsApp, Facebook Lite, Chrome—typically takes 2–3 seconds. Once running, switching between two or three open apps is fairly smooth, though you may notice the system reloading background apps if more than four tasks remain active. Attempting to run memory-hungry apps simultaneously (say, YouTube Plus Chrome Plus Facebook All-in-One) can force the phone to shutter some from memory, resulting in a brief reload when you revisit them.

2. Web Browsing: Scrolling through lightweight news sites or social media feeds (especially mobile-optimized pages) feels mostly fluid, though images occasionally load with a perceptible “pop” once they finish buffering. Heavy, ad-laden pages—say, a major news portal with multiple auto-playing videos—can induce stutters and load slowly, but the CPU keeps up adequately for reading text-based articles.

3. Gaming: Casual 2D games (Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, or simple puzzle games) perform well, typically hovering around 30 frames per second. Heavier 3D titles (e.g., Asphalt 8: Airborne, PUBG Mobile) only run at their lowest graphics presets, with frame rates averaging 15–20 fps during intense on-screen action. You can have fun in short sessions, but prolonged gaming pushes the chipset to its limits—15 minutes of Asphalt 8 caused a noticeable frame-rate dip and prompted the mid-chassis to heat to around 40 °C.

4. Video Playback: The phone decodes 1080p video without issue, but rendering YouTube at full 1080p resolution requires substantial battery draw. Streaming a 30 minute 1080p clip on Wi-Fi drained about 7 percent of battery—solid for its class but not exceptional. Louder scenes in high-bitrate videos sometimes stutter if you attempt to scrub or skip, but the experience remains watchable for standard-definition or 720p clips.

5. User Interface & Animations: BLU ships this device with Android 12 Go Edition—a streamlined OS variant optimized for phones with ≤ 2 GB RAM. The interface is simplified, with large, colorful system icons and minimal background animations. Every major tap or swipe features a brief fade or slide, keeping transitions visually coherent. While you can’t install heavy “launcher” replacements or expect seamless Real-Time Live Wallpapers, the Modern Go UI keeps the experience snappy for common tasks.

In short, performance feels calibrated for budget-friendly everyday operation: messaging, browsing, occasional navigation, light streaming, and casual games. Anyone expecting high-end productivity or intense multitasking should look elsewhere, but for core smartphone tasks, the All-Day Infinity holds its own.

Battery Life: True “All-Day” Endurance

Where the BLU All-Day Infinity shines is in battery life. The built-in 6 000 mAh cell dwarfs most budget competitors (which typically range from 3 000 mAh to 5 000 mAh). In my testing, results consistently aligned with BLU’s “all-day” promise:

1. Mixed-Use Days: On a day that included two hours of 4G web browsing, one hour of YouTube streaming (720 p), 30 minutes of casual gaming, and two hours of calls and texting, the battery dropped from 100 percent at 8 a.m. to about 30 percent at 11 p.m.—a 19‐hour span of moderate activity.

2. Standby & Light Use: With basic texting, intermittent social media checks, and no streaming, the phone remained at 70 percent after two full days of standby. Even with periodic location checks via Google Maps while parked (approximately 15 minutes total), the battery drain stayed at around 15 percent per 24 hours when idle.

3. Continuous Video Playback: Looping a 720 p local video at 50 percent brightness and 40 percent volume drained about 12 percent per hour, indicating nearly 8–9 hours of nonstop playback—impressive for any device under $100.

4. Gaming Sessions: A 30-minute Asphalt 8 session on the lowest graphics settings consumed approximately 8 percent, pegging at roughly four hours of continuous casual 2D or light 3D gaming before battery depletion became a concern.

Charging Behavior

Charging occurs via micro USB at up to 10 W (5 V/2 A). From a near-dead state (2 percent), the All-Day Infinity climbed to 20 percent in 30 minutes, 45 percent in one hour, and reached full in approximately three hours. That’s slow compared to modern USB-C PD or “fast-charging” standards, but it’s serviceable for overnight or overnight + quick afternoon top-ups. A standard 5 V/2 A wall charger (included) sits more comfortably in household budgets than pricier QC 3.0 or PD bricks.

Given the extraordinarily large battery, the trade-off of a prolonged charge time remains acceptable for many buyers—it’s far easier to plug in for an hour at night than to worry about mid-day battery anxiety. The phone stays slightly warm during charging but never uncomfortably hot, and BLU claims built-in overcharge protection to reduce long-term battery degradation.

Camera Setup: Simple but Functional

At the rear, the All-Day Infinity sports a Dual-Camera array comprising:

• **8 MP primary sensor (f/2.0, PDAF)

• QVGA depth sensor (f/2.4)

On the front, a 5 MP selfie camera (f/2.2) hides within a modest notch centered at the top of the display. Here’s how they perform:

Rear Main Camera (8 MP)

• Daylight Scenes: In good outdoor light, the 8 MP sensor captures scenes with acceptable detail and reasonable color fidelity. Greens in foliage lean slightly toward over-saturation, yet skies hold decent gradients when not clipped to pure white. Text legibility from signs remains clear at 10 feet. However, dynamic range is narrow: direct sunlight and deep shadows often force blown-out highlights or lost details unless you explicitly tap-and-hold to trigger HDR (slow processing, but worth the wait for balanced exposures).

• Indoor & Low Light: Indoors under bright fluorescent lighting, images exhibit noise and a greenish lighting cast. Low-light scenes (e.g., dim restaurants) appear grainy, desaturated, and fuzzy unless you hold the phone extremely steady to allow a longer shutter to gather light. There’s no dedicated night mode or multi-frame stacking; the camera defaults to a basic ISO/1/30 sec setting, resulting in blurry images if you don’t brace your hand.

• Depth Sensor + Portrait Mode: Engaging “Portrait” mode crops the main image and attempts to blur the background using depth data. If the subject is well-separated from the background (i.e., standing in front of a plain wall), the effect is passable. Edges—especially hair strands—often glow with mild haloing, and in low-light portraits, noise becomes more pronounced. Overall, it’s a fun feature for casual use but not “studio-level” separation.

Front Camera (5 MP)

• Selfies: In bright daylight or a well-lit room, 5 MP selfies offer adequate clarity for social media posts. Faces appear moderately detailed, though you’ll notice softening around the edges when applying the “Beauty” filter (which blurs skin heavily). Under indoor incandescent lighting or gloom, noise skyrockets, and facial features look somewhat grainy.

• Video Calls: During Zoom or WhatsApp video calls, the sensor effectively adjusts exposure to keep faces visible. However, it struggles to maintain stable focus when you move around or if the lighting shifts rapidly. Backgrounds blur unpredictably, and the image can jitter if the phone’s held at odd angles. Still, for quick chats, it’s acceptable.

Overall, the camera system remains rudimentary—adequate for documenting daytime events, snapping friends at gatherings, or scanning documents. Cinematic enthusiasts or low-light photographers should look to multi-hundred-dollar devices, but for everyday snapshots, the All-Day Infinity’s cameras get the job done.

Software & User Experience: Android 12 Go Edition

BLU ships the All-Day Infinity with Android 12 (Go Edition)—a lightweight, streamlined version of Android designed specifically for devices with ≤ 2 GB RAM and limited storage. The Go Edition interface is simplified, with larger icons, fewer background processes, and optimized versions of essential apps (YouTube Go, Maps Go, Gallery Go). Here’s what to expect:

1. Home Screen & Navigation: The Go launcher features a two-panel design: left for apps, right for the home screen, with a dock at the bottom for essential icons (Phone, Messages, Chrome Go, Camera). Swiping up reveals an app drawer with large icons and minimal scrolling. You can still use Google’s standard swipe gestures (back, home, and recent apps) or revert to on-screen navigation buttons—your choice.

2. Preinstalled Go Apps: BLU preloads a handful of “Go” apps—including Google Go (search and news), Files by Google (for managing storage and removing junk files), and Gmail Go. These apps consume less memory and storage than their full-featured counterparts but also lack some advanced functions (e.g., advanced Gmail filters, offline map caching in Maps Go). For a user who primarily needs basics—email, web browsing, and maps—the streamlined apps offer speed and battery savings.

3. Third-Party & BLU Apps: In addition to Go apps, BLU includes some standard Android apps—Camera, Gallery, Phone, Contacts—all slightly skinned to match the brand’s icon style. There’s minimal bloatware or trialware, though a single ad-supported BLU store icon may prompt you to explore paid accessories or third-party recommended apps. All in all, this remains one of the leaner “skin” experiences for a budget phone.

4. Performance & Animations: Android 12 Go hides heavy graphical flourishes—no dramatic 3D transitions or parallax motion. Tapping an app icon, you see a quick fade-in. Penetrating deeper into an app is nearly instantaneous in many cases, thanks to reduced background tasks. However, opening larger apps (Spotify, Facebook Lite) still takes 2–3 seconds. Multitasking uses a lightweight recent apps menu that shows three or four app cards side by side. Swiping them away frees RAM instantly, helping you keep a responsive system even under load.

5. Security & Updates: BLU has committed to two years of security patches—not necessarily monthly, but at least quarterly. The phone shipped with the October 2024 security patch and received a minor update two weeks later to address camera stability and notification bugs. BLU’s track record on OS upgrades is limited; they do not promise an Android 13 Go upgrade, so long-term feature updates may not be guaranteed. Buyers should view this as a phone that receives essential security support but not necessarily new Android versions.

Connectivity & Extras: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Basic Add-Ons

Connectivity on the All-Day Infinity covers the essentials for modern users:

1. Cellular & SIM: The phone supports dual SIM (two nano-SIM slots) but no eSIM. LTE bands include B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/28/38/40/41 in most regions—sufficient for major North American and many global networks. In my urban tests, LTE speeds averaged 25–35 Mbps down and 5–10 Mbps up on my local carrier. You can insert two SIM cards simultaneously, though calls, messages, and data defaults must be managed through Settings → SIM card manager.

2. Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: The All-Day Infinity offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz only)—no 5 GHz support. As a result, peak local network throughput capped at around 50 Mbps on my home router’s 2.4 GHz band. For web browsing and standard-definition streaming, this is adequate, but HD streaming can buffer if network contention arises. Bluetooth 5.0 pairs reliably with wireless earbuds and fitness trackers; I experienced stable audio with a pair of basic SBC-compatible earbuds, though no advanced codecs are supported (no aptX, AAC is your best bet).

3. GPS & Navigation: The phone’s GPS chipset locks onto satellites in around 10 seconds indoors (near a window) and 5 seconds outdoors, delivering accurate positioning for Google Maps and ride-sharing apps. Indoor navigation around a large office floor yielded position drift of about 10–15 meters, but outdoors, turn-by-turn directions remain reliable. It also supports GLONASS and Beidou for improved global coverage.

4. NFC & Payments: There is no NFC on the All-Day Infinity, so mobile payments (Google Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.) are unsupported. If you rely on contactless transactions or public transit passes, you’ll need a different device.

5. Audio Jack & FM Radio: The presence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack is a boon for listeners who still prefer wired headsets. The built-in FM radio app (headphones required as an antenna) tunes local stations clearly, making it a handy feature in areas where FM broadcast remains prevalent.

6. Sensors & Biometric Security: Beyond basic accelerometer and proximity sensors, the phone lacks more advanced sensors (gyroscope, compass, barometer). There’s no fingerprint sensor, so device unlocking relies on either a four-digit PIN, pattern, or less secure face unlock via the front camera. Face unlock works reasonably in good lighting but fails outright in dim conditions, forcing a PIN entry. For many entry-level users, a PIN suffices; those demanding faster biometric access might find this lacking.

Who Is the All-Day Infinity For?

The BLU All-Day Infinity excels at battery endurance, durability, and basic smartphone functionality—all for under $100. It’s tailored to:

1. First-Time Smartphone Users: Those upgrading from feature phones will find the transition smooth thanks to Android 12 Go’s simplified interface, large icons, and minimal bloat.

2. Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you need a reliable device for calls, texts, WhatsApp, Facebook Lite, and occasional YouTube, this handset handles those with reasonable competence.

3. Travelers & Backup Phone Seekers: Battery life reigns supreme for anyone taking longer excursions without constant access to charging. Drop this into a backpack or glovebox, and worry far less about midday drain.

4. Rugged Users (Within Limits): The sturdy plastic build and lack of over-slick glass means it tolerates accidental drops and pocket abrasion better than many fragile mid-range phones—provided you keep it away from water.

Conversely, the All-Day Infinity is a poor fit for:

• Mobile Gamers Seeking High Frame Rates: Complex 3D games push the Helio G35 beyond its comfort zone.

• Photography Enthusiasts: The 8 MP camera is serviceable in daylight but ill-equipped for low-light or detailed portrait work.

• Multitaskers & Heavy App Users: With only 2 GB of RAM, heavy multitasking will trigger app reloads and momentary stutters—particularly if you push more than three apps at once.

• Fans of Premium Features: If you need NFC, high-speed USB-C charging, dual-band Wi-Fi, or an advanced biometric sensor, you’ll need to look higher up the price ladder.

Final Verdict: A Spartan Phone That Excels at Battery Life

The BLU All-Day Infinity (SM-M580) delivers precisely what its name promises: multi-day endurance and rock-solid basics, all without the heft of a steep price. If your lifestyle revolves around extended outings, remote work without reliable chargers, or simply staying connected to the essentials (calls, texts, social media, light browsing), it stands tall as an unmatched value proposition.

Yet, that laser focus on battery life inevitably demands compromises in display quality, camera capabilities, processing muscle, and premium connectivity. For users willing to trade advanced features and snappy multimedia prowess for a smartphone that shrugs off long days unplugged, the All-Day Infinity becomes a clear, budget-friendly recommendation. In a smartphone market crowded with expensive, “feature-rich” models, sometimes an uncomplicated, dependable device that keeps running past everyone else is precisely what many people need.