The market for affordable, unlocked cell phones is really starting to gain steam. Blu, a relative unknown in the smartphone world, has largely focused on low-to-midrange unlocked Android smartphones, but its new Life Pure XL is a whole new beast. At $399 for the 32GB model, the Life Pure XL has all the trappings of a pricier device, like a sharp 5.5-inch 1080p LCD, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, and a 16-megapixel camera. It's not all gravy, though, as there are clear compromises here; namely, a clumsy Android skin and no 4G LTE connectivity.

The 32GB version of the Nexus 5 carries the same $399 price tag, and while its display is half an inch smaller, it offers a far more polished experience and LTE connectivity. The Nexus 5 remains our Editors' Choice for unlocked smartphones, but if you absolutely need that larger display, the Blu Life Pure XL is an enticing option. It's also worth keeping an eye on the promising-but-buggy OnePlus One, which matches the Pure XL's display size, but offers a faster Snapdragon 801 processor, LTE, and comes in at a lower $349 for a 64GB model.

Design, Features, and Call Quality

Though by no means small, the Pure XL is relatively manageable when you consider its 5.5-inch display. At 5.93 by 2.95 by 0.37 inches (HWD), it's a good deal taller than the Samsung Galaxy S5 (5.59 by 2.85 by 0.32), but not too much wider or thicker. It's still a palm and pocket stretcher, but that's par for the course for phablets. The unibody plastic construction feels sturdy, and the rolled top and bottom are reminiscent of Nokia's Lumia phones. It's understated without being boring, but I'm not a fan of the glossy finish. There are Volume buttons on the right side, while the Power button is frustratingly located on the top—if a phone is taller than 5 inches, the Power button should really be on the side.