BLU announces its first two Verizon-compatible phones (Update: Clarification)

Update, January 4, 2019 (3:08PM EST): To clarify, anyone who buys the vivo XI or XI Plus from Best Buy will already have Verizon-compatible phones. If you already own either phone, you will have to contact BLU to get the update that turns on Verizon compatibility.

Original article, January 4, 2019 (12:07PM EST): BLU announced that the vivo XI and XI Plus are now compatible with Verizon’s network. Both phones feature 4G bands 2, 4, and 13, which make up Verizon’s LTE network.

You can’t just take a Verizon SIM card and put it into your vivo XI or XI Plus, however. You’ll have to first email BLU’s customer service. From there, BLU will push a software update to your phone that will turn on Verizon compatibility.

BLU also announced that the vivo XI and XI Plus are part of Verizon’s bring-your-own-device promotion. If you activate either phone on Verizon, you’ll get a $150 prepaid MasterCard and free SIM card.

Finally, you can get the vivo XI for $20 off at Best Buy. The discount brings the price down to $199.99. The vivo XI Plus is available at its normal $299.99 price.

To recap, the vivo XI features a 5.9-inch display with HD+ resolution (1,520 x 720), dual 16- and 5-megapixel rear cameras, MediaTek’s octa-core Helio P22 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, 3,000mAh battery, and Android 8.1 Oreo.

The vivo XI Plus features a larger 6.2-inch display with Full HD+ resolution (2,246 x 1,080), dual 16 and 5MP rear cameras, MediaTek’s octa-core Helio P60 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, 3,050mAh battery, and Android 8.1 Oreo.

Both phones will get Android 9 Pie. You can buy the vivo XI and XI Plus at the links below.