For just a tiny bit more, he could move up to the Moto E/Moto G, which are a lot nicer than the BLU phones I've seen and experienced. The sub-$200 phone market is an amazing quality-for-money price point right now.
My wife and I both have Moto G's and they are amazing value. I couldn't imagine spending the kind of money some people do on smartphones when great options like the Moto G are around.