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ALCATEL OneTouch Idol 3 Global GSM Unlocked 4G LTE Smartphone, 4.7 HD IPS Display, 16GB - Gray
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Alcatel |
Model Name | OneTouch Idol 3 |
Wireless Carrier | Net10 |
Operating System | Android |
Cellular Technology | 4G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Color | Black |
Screen Size | 4.7 Inches |
Wireless network technology | Wi-Fi |
About this item
- Featuring Award-Winning JBL Audio by Harman IDOL™ 3 brings an amazing on-the-go music experience! With dual front-facing JBL stereo speakers IDOL™ 3 packs professional audio quality to the palm of your hand for true-to-life sound.
- IDOL™ 3 has been specially tuned for leading color and image innovation through Technicolor™ Color Enhance technology giving the IDOL™ 3 a vivid cinematic color experience right in the palm of your hand.
- Pocket Perfect Form Factor: The IDOL™ 3 (4.7) is designed to be slim and compact for a first class user experience .Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Powered by an Quad-Core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 410 processor the IDOL™ 3 delivers ultra-fast 4G LTE connectivity to help keep up with your fast paced life. Get lost in stunning HD video and console-quality gaming.
- Break free of carrier contracts with the award-winning IDOL™ 3. Recognized for delivering a high-quality crisp viewing experience slim elegant design and unique features like a fully reversible user-interface the IDOL ™ 3 has all the features.
- Model 6039S-2AALUS7; compatible with Micro SIM Cards
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This Item ALCATEL OneTouch Idol 3 Global GSM Unlocked 4G LTE Smartphone, 4.7 HD IPS Display, 16GB - Gray | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -33% $59.99$59.99 Typical: $89.95 | $129.99$129.99 | $178.99$178.99 | $89.50$89.50 | -25% $89.99$89.99 List: $119.99 | $119.99$119.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | — | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Battery life | 2.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Face recognition | — | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
Value for money | — | 4.5 | 4.0 | — | 4.1 | 4.5 |
Fingerprint reader | — | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.0 | — |
Screen quality | 3.0 | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | — | — |
Sold By | Gadgets-Deal | TCL Direct-US | Amazon.com | Cell Universal | Amazon.com | NUU Mobile |
display size | 4.7 inches | 6.52 inches | 6.8 inches | 6.52 inches | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches |
memory capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB | 4 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB | 128 GB |
model name | OneTouch Idol 3 | TCL 30 SE | Moto G Stylus 5G | Redmi A1 | Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | A15 |
operating system | Android | Android 12.0 | Android 11.0 | Android 12.0 | Android 13 | Android 13 |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | Networks + Bands 5G: 2/5/25/26/41/66/71/77/78 4G: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71 3G: 1/2/4/5/8 Bluetooth Technology Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | Wi-Fi hotspot Location Services GPS (L1), A-GPS, LTEEP, SUPL, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou SIM Card Single SIM (1 Nano SIM + 1 microSD) | Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi | USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wireless |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
From the manufacturer
Alcatel is the fourth largest mobile phone manufacturer in North America, with a heritage of designing and manufacturing high-quality, high-performing mobile technology that offers the perfect amount of value. With relationships with America’s top GSM carriers like T-Mobile, MetroPCS, AT&T, Cricket Wireless, Net10 and Straight Talk, alcatel’s unlocked smartphones are optimized for any of these carrier networks, so you can be confident you’re getting a smartphone that can perform. And we back our devices with a two year warranty, so you can be sure you’re covered.
The ALCATEL ONETOUCH IDOL 3 offers the perfect amount of more for your smartphone. The IDOL 3 has more speed than a standard 4G handset because it has LTE speed for video and music streaming/downloads. It will give you more power with a capable 2000 mAh battery and Qualcomm Snapdragon Quad-Core processor. Special moments will look even more beautiful with IDOL 3’s 13MP main camera and 5MP wide angle front selfie camera. The IDOL 3 will also give you more sound with dual front facing speakers featuring JBL Audio. What more could you look for in your new smartphone. ..
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The Perfect Amount of Customer ServiceOur best in class two year warranty does more than give you peace of mind, it’s a commitment from alcatel to maintain the highest degree of quality and reliability. Have a question? Call our North American call center and we will help. ..our job is not done until you are 100 percent satisfied. |
The Perfect Amount of SpeedWith speeds 2x faster than standard 4G, LTE offers the quickest, most reliable mobile experience available today. IDOL 3 is LTE done right, optimized for the world’s top GSM carriers, including those in the U.S. like T-Mobile, MetroPCS, AT&T, Cricket Wireless, Net10 and Straight Talk. No matter where you go or which GSM carrier you have, IDOL 3 will keep you connected. |
The Perfect Amount of ConvenienceIDOL 3 is completely reversible, so it can be used with the display right side up or upside down, making using IDOL 3 simple and more intuitive – whether you’re browsing the web or even taking phone calls. |
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Never Miss A ShotThe high resolution wide angle front camera ensures selfies are always sharp and nobody's left out. The top quality rear camera has a large best in class IMX214 sensor and a lens with five separate elements for better accuracy in every pixel and minimal distortion. With a 13MP main camera and an 8MP wide-angle front camera, you’ll never miss any of life’s moments. |
Powerful, Yet Easy To UseFeaturing Google’s easy to use and customizable Android operating system and powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Quad-Core processor, the IDOL 3 delivers the perfect amount of easy to use performance. The IDOL 3 will also allow you to upgrade to Android’s new operating system (Marshmallow) when available. |
HD EverydayWith one of the brightest Full-HD displays available in any smartphone, the IDOL 3’s 4.7-inch display also features Technicolor Color Enhance for a cinematic viewing experience – even in direct sunlight. |
Alcatel Idol 3 5.5" | Alcatel Idol 3 4.7" | Alcatel Pop 3 5.5" 4G LTE | Alcatel Pop 3 5.0" 4G LTE | Alcatel Pixi 3 4.5" 4G LTE | Alcatel Pixi 3 4.5" 3G | |
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Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars
1,084
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3.7 out of 5 stars
395
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3.4 out of 5 stars
38
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3.6 out of 5 stars
40
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3.9 out of 5 stars
58
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3.9 out of 5 stars
63
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Network | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 4G LTE | LTE | 4G HSPA+ |
Display | 5.5” Full HD (1080x1920 pixels) | 4.7” HD IPS (720x1280 pixels) | 5.5” HD (720x1280 pixels) | 5” FWVGA (480x854 pixels) | 4.5” FWVGA (480x854 pixels) | 4.5” FWVGA (480x854 pixels) |
Camera | 13Mp AF rear w/ flash + 8Mp front | 13Mp AF rear w/ flash + 5Mp front | 8Mp AF rear w/flash + 2MP front | 5Mp rear w/flash + VGA front | 5Mp AF rear w/flash + VGA front | 5Mp FF rear w/flash + VGA front |
Memory | 2GB / 16GB | 1.5GB / 16GB | 1GB / 8GB | 1GB / 8GB | 1GB / 8GB | 512MB / 4GB |
Expandable Memory | Micro SD slot (supports up to 128GB) | Micro SD slot (supports up to 32GB) | Micro SD slot (supports up to 32GB) | Micro SD slot (supports up to 32GB) | Micro SD slot (supports up to 32GB) | Micro SD slot (supports up to 32GB) |
Processor | Octa core @ 2.5GHz | Quad core @ 1.2GHz | Quad core @ 1.1GHz | Quad core @ 1.1GHz | Quad core @ 1.0GHz | Dual core @ 1.3GHz |
Operating System | Android L | Android L | Android L | Android L | Android L | Android KitKat |
Bands | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: B2/4/5/7/17 | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: B2/4/5/7/17 | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: 2,4,5,7,17 | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: 2,4,5,7,17 | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: 2,4,5,7,17 | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS: 850/1700/1900/2100 LTE: None |
Battery | 2910mAh battery | 2000mAh battery | 2500mAh battery | 2000mAh battery | 1780mAh battery | 1400mAh battery |
Dimensions/Weight | 152.7 x 75.14 x 7.4mm / 141g | 134.6 x 65.9 x 7.55mm / 110g | 151.9 x 77.8 x 9.45mm / 165g | 141 x 71.5 x 9.85mm / 167g | 132.2 x 65.1 x 9.95mm / 110g | 132.2 x 65.1 x 11.7mm / 110g |
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What is an unlocked phone?An unlocked phone is a device that is not bound to any carrier or plan. It allows you to choose your phone first and your carrier second. Upon selecting a plan, simply insert the carrier's SIM card into the phone and you're ready to go. If you decide you want to change carriers down the road or want to take an international trip, it's as simple as replacing your existing SIM card with a new SIM and activating your new plan. |
What are the benefits of an unlocked phone?Freedom: Choose the carrier with the best service or price. If you find a better deal later, you have the ability to change to a different carrier. Travel: Take your phone internationally and use the carrier of your choice. It's as easy as inserting an active SIM card. Selection: Choose the phone with the features you want, whether or not your carrier sells it, and get more service options without a contract. |
How do I set up my unlocked phone?The first thing you’ll need is a SIM card for your desired carrier. When activated, the SIM card will let your phone connect to your carrier’s network. If you decide to upgrade to a newer unlocked phone in the future, you can easily remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it in your new phone—just make sure you get the right size of SIM card (nano, micro, or standard) for your phone. If you want to use your phone while traveling internationally, you can easily buy a SIM card for a carrier that operates where you’re traveling. As long as it’s activated, you can just swap SIM cards when you arrive at your destination. |
What's in the box
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 6.01 x 0.29 x 2.96 inches |
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Item Weight | 8 ounces |
ASIN | B0118EWIXS |
Item model number | One Touch Idol 3 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
3.7 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
OS | Android |
RAM | 16 GB |
Wireless communication technologies | Cellular |
Connectivity technologies | Wi-Fi |
Special features | smartphone, hotspot, lte |
Display technology | LCD |
Display resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
Other display features | Wireless |
Human Interface Input | Touchscreen |
Other camera features | 13 MP |
Form Factor | Smartphone |
Color | Black |
Whats in the box | User Manual, Micro USB Wall Charger, Phone |
Department | Cell Phones |
Manufacturer | Alcatel |
Date First Available | July 8, 2015 |
Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
Standing screen display size | 4.7 Inches |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 2 GB |
Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
Product Description
ALCATEL OneTouch Idol 3 Global Unlocked 4G LTE Smartphone, 4.7 HD IPS Display, 16GB (GSM - US Warranty)
Amazon.com
Android M now available via software update on all Alcatel Idol Unlocked phones.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the value, quality, appearance and sound quality of the wireless accessory. They mention that its worth the great price, the pictures do come out high quality, the screen is very crisp and the speakers on the phone make a fantastic impression when watching videos. They also appreciate size. However, some customers disagree on battery life, performance, and camera.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the wireless accessory. They say that the pictures do come out high quality, with colors mostly accurate. The screen is very crisp, and the phone itself is very nice. The speakers make a fantastic impression when watching videos, playing games, or listening to music. Outdoor photos are wonderful, and it's a great phone.
"...is good lighting such as outside or a well lit room, the pictures do come out high quality with colors mostly accurate and the camera absorbing a..." Read more
"...Very thin.Camera - 13MP rear, and 5MP front. Both take excellent photos. Most importantly to me, they both take photos QUICKLY...." Read more
"...Photos look richer, even if you don't get true life coloring. All the rendered graphics look fantastic due to the rich color depth...." Read more
"...My personal Blu, has a crack in glass, so not sure if I will even try to get that repaired which I must do through their repair department...." Read more
Customers like the sound quality of the wireless accessory. They mention that the speakers are fantastic, it has a solid sound system, and the front-facing speakers and dual microphones give it a bit of a stereo effect. The volume of notifications and ringtones is great, and calls are clear.
"Review after 4 days:Pro:-Speakers are bananas-Pulling down the top bar shows a quick preview...." Read more
"...The size is perfect, it's fast, the sound is incredible, and the battery life has been awesome. Alcatel has a real winner in this phone...." Read more
"...videos or listening to music without headphones this is a solid sound system for you. The sound is vibrant and most importantly it's loud...." Read more
"...Gives a bit of stereo effect if you're watching a video.-The picture quality of the screen is quite nicer than I expected...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the wireless accessory. They mention that it's worth the great price and the value to hardware is second to none.
"...All in all, acceptable for under $200 compared to iPhone and samsung. I mean really, we are all spoiled...." Read more
"...Overall, this phone is amazing and well worth your money...." Read more
"...With the hardware being so capable for such a reasonable price this phone could be a game changer for the Smartphone industry, forcing the major..." Read more
"...Nice. Phone calls not a problem with these speakers. Phone is worth every penny and then some...." Read more
Customers like the size of the wireless accessory. They say it is compact, light, and slim. Some appreciate the lack of bloatware and the fact that it is lighter and slimmer than the S5. However, some customers find the size to be too large for their purposes.
"...Speaking of which, this phone is lighter and slimmer than the S5. If the phone were sold for more money, I’d still be satisfied...." Read more
"...Good stuff.-Less bloatware: Avg antivirus, Facebook, twitter, chrome, drive, google+, hangouts, weather, WiFi transfer, adobe reader, (NFC)..." Read more
"...I love the form factor of it. It's thinness. It's weight. It's display. It's all very nice...." Read more
"...It's very thin and very light in the hand...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the wireless accessory. They mention that it looks good, the screen is nice, and the quality is above average. The chrome accent is a nice touch, and it has a sleek and easy-to-hold design. Overall, customers are satisfied with the appearance and functionality of the product.
"...It’s excellent build quality. Period. The chrome accent is a nice touch and the speaker grills are slightly angled towards the phone, which add a..." Read more
"...-Pros say the display is meh but it looks good to me.-Double tap screen to wake up...." Read more
"...Screen - It's beautiful. Is it 1080P? No, and it doesn't need to be. At 4.7" 720P is gorgeous, and looks just as nice as my LG G4 did...." Read more
"...All the rendered graphics look fantastic due to the rich color depth. (Meaning stuff like your icons and games and the UI interface, etc etc)...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the wireless accessory. Some mention that the battery life is great and the performance is really good, while others say that it sucks and the phone lags a bit.
"...Overall, it performs close to flagship specs, albeit a bit slower. Most people should be happy with this phone.-Display-..." Read more
"...The size is perfect, it's fast, the sound is incredible, and the battery life has been awesome. Alcatel has a real winner in this phone...." Read more
"...Thier phone just kept having issues of turning off and locking up all the time...." Read more
"...I think it just takes some practice. The dual speakers and dual microphones work beautifully for quickly answering phone upside down if necessary...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the battery life of the wireless accessory. Some mention that it has decent battery life, especially if you just watch an occasional, while others say that it isn't great and it lasts for the day. They also mention that the battery is non-removable.
"...3 months ago, and now the new phone just died. No display no nothing...." Read more
"...-Speakers on both sides (on top and bottom).-Battery is fantastic upon buying (great once you start downloading apps)...." Read more
"...Additionally, even if you don't keep your phones that long, batteries fail sometimes. So no replaceable battery is a problem for me...." Read more
"...Know what is awesome about the screen being 720P? Battery life. The "lower" resolution will greatly improve battery life...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the camera of the wireless accessory. Some mention that the camera is good, fast, and takes shots quite fast. The camera is powerful and offers some cool features. However, some customers say that the cameras are not great and are pretty terrible.
"...especially true for the front facing camera, with the selfie cam grabbing a lot of details, provided there is good amount of light...." Read more
"...It's still not the greatest camera in the world, but I have to factor in the price tag on the phone. For $180 it's a good enough camera...." Read more
"...-Camera is acceptable.-Option to pick up in any orientation...." Read more
"...The camera is fine, the display is great, the sound! my god the sound blew me away...." Read more
Reviews with images
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-Smooth Performance
-All Day Battery Life
-Excellent Build Quality
-Good Quality Screen
-NFC (Android Pay Compatible)
-Decent Camera
-MicroSD Expansion
Cons
-Awkward Button Placement
-Squeaky Vibrating Motor
-Updates not guaranteed
-No Gorilla Glass
Should you buy: YES
Actual Value: $220
I loved my Moto G. It made me always question why people spend over $600 on phones when a $200 could work just as well. With the new Moto G, I was willing to buy it right on the spot. But what turned me off was the nearly 3 weeks I’d have to wait for one to be delivered. So I started my search for the next best phone under $200, which lead me to this phone. I’ve had some experience with Alcatel phones, so I didn’t have much expectations with this phone. That being said, I’ve had a couple of days with it and I can say with absolute confidence that I love it.
-Design-
This is one light phone. I’m starting with that because you have no idea how light it is until you hold it in your hand. I actually thought for a moment that the battery wasn’t inside it yet. But it is pleasant to hold in the hand. The design is all plastic, so don’t expect anything premium on this phone like metal. But it is solidly built, rivaling even the Galaxy S5 in build quality. Speaking of which, this phone is lighter and slimmer than the S5. If the phone were sold for more money, I’d still be satisfied. It’s not just good build quality for the price. It’s excellent build quality. Period. The chrome accent is a nice touch and the speaker grills are slightly angled towards the phone, which add a bit of sparkle to an otherwise black phone. No soft touch plastic on this phone, but it does land on a middle ground where the plastic is nice to touch and is resistant to fingerprints. The design is completely symmetrical, which is important for a certain feature that is unique to it. I’d love it even more if it were available in a different color such as white, but that is personal preference. Overall, I can’t find much to complain; especially for the low $180 price.
-Performance-
If you have seen the Moto G’s specs, you’re pretty much getting the same hardware. It uses a Snapdragon 410, 720p display, microSD expansion, Android Lollipop, and even the same camera module (Sony IMX 214). However, there are a few key difference that make this a better phone than the Moto G. For instance, this phone has 1.5 GB of RAM (Moto G=1GB), actual front facing stereo speakers, a 4.7” compared to the 5”, NFC, and 16GB of storage(Moto G=1GB). In benchmarks, I have gotten similar results to the Moto G in both CPU and graphic performance. But benchmarks are only one side of the performance experience. The other is daily user experience. Based on the couple of days with it and after installing many apps, I can tell you that this phone is snappy. It’s not as fast as the current flagship lineup, but it never lags or clips the graphics. Apps open relatively quickly and the animations are smooth, as well as the transitions from one app to another. In my testing of multitasking ability, it opened Chrome, Angry Birds, Pokemon Puzzle, and YouTube with no lag and each app open where I left them off. Opening more will force the phone to suspend one of those apps to save RAM, but 4 apps at once without closing is pretty good for the cost. Games also perform good, as long as you have reasonable expectations. 2D games such as Angry Birds, Pokemon Puzzle, and Clash of Clans run smoothly and without an issue. Other games like Asphalt 8 and Real Racing 3 will run smooth, but not at the highest quality setting. But that’s to be expected from a midrange phone. Signal quality is good. I was able to get 62 Mbps download speed and 8 Mbps upload on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE around Pasadena, CA. Thanks to band 12 support, cell signal in buildings is good with the signal almost never going under 3 bars. The speakers are also amazingly good and loud, coming close to matching HTC’s Boomsound phone speakers thanks to the help from JBL. Overall, it performs close to flagship specs, albeit a bit slower. Most people should be happy with this phone.
-Display-
The phone itself has a beautiful HD display with a 312 PPI (note that the iPhone 6 has a 324 PPI) and it is advertise as being calibrated by Technicolor. While they aren’t at the S6’s quality display, it does come close. The display has a nice color calibration, with vivid colors and nice blacks and whites. It is also bright enough for using even in direct sunlight and the good contrast means you can clearly see what you are doing. It isn’t perfect since there are a couple of issues. The colors do have a VERY slight cool tone, meaning that the whites do have a TINY bit of blue to them. Another small issue is that there is a slight amount of light bleed on one side of the displace. But it isn’t noticeable in daily use and it is good for the price of the phone. One crucial one is the fact that they aren’t using Gorilla glass on this display, opting for the more discreet Dragontrail Glass. Since this is going to be my daily driver, I didn’t want to test the toughness (if Alcatel provides me a unit, I’d gladly test it) but I’ve looked into it and it trades scratch resistance for toughness. It might be easier to scratch it, but it is more resistant to shock. Only time will tell and I will update this review as time moves on.
-Camera-
The camera is a back-facing 13 MP camera and a front, wide angle 5 MP camera. The rear camera uses a Sony Exmor IMX 214, which is the same unit found in the new Moto G and the more expensive Nexus 6. The results are mixed though. On one side, outdoor pictures are good. Whenever there is good lighting such as outside or a well lit room, the pictures do come out high quality with colors mostly accurate and the camera absorbing a lot of details. However, during the night, the picture quality takes a hit, with the camera struggling to get any details from the lack of light. It will get some details if they is ANY type of light, but not much. The lack of OIS also contributes to this issue, but there is no phone with OIS at this price range at the moment. The flash is okay, but since it isn’t a dual tone unit, the light tends to overflow and photos tend to lose their details. Videos are also a similar story, with good lighting providing good results and the opposite being true. There is EIS, but the effect isn’t that noticeable and it doesn’t really help with the quality. This isn’t a camera you’re going to use for important, memorable moments. But for things that most people use, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it works great. This is especially true for the front facing camera, with the selfie cam grabbing a lot of details, provided there is good amount of light.
-Software-
This is basically running a close to stock version of Android Lollipop. It is running version 5.0.2 with a Stagefright patch already added to protect the phone from foreign attacks. There are a few changes to the software. For instance, the icons look like similar to the iPhone, which can be both a good and bad thing, depending on whether you love or hate that style. Other than that, everything works just like stock Android. Except for one feature that I’m surprised isn’t universal to all phones. That is the fact that this phone is reversible. It doesn’t sound as exciting as fingerprint sensor, but it is a rather practical and underrated feature. I’ve answered the phone to test the sound quality and it wasn’t until after I hung up that I realized the phone was upside down. It sounds equally good on either orientation and it is brilliant. Of course, if you don’t like this (for some reason) there is always the option to turn it off. Overall, the light touch that Alcatel added onto Android hasn’t hurt it much and any problems can be easily fixed.
-Conclusion-
I wasn’t expecting to get a high quality phone, especially after my experience with an old model that I can’t even remember the name. But Alcatel did deliver a high quality experience and an astonishing device. It does have some compromises, but Alcatel chose them wisely and the overall result is great. There is a couple of phones that compete in this range, but the biggest one is the Moto G. Is this better? Yes and no. For power users, I would still recommend the high end Moto G because of the extra RAM or even a OnePlus One, which is on sale now for $299. But if it must be under $200, like for college students like me, this beats the $179 low end Moto G due to the higher quality speakers, display, NFC, and the slightly more RAM. This phone helps to answer the question: Do people really need to spend over $800 on a phone to get a high quality experience? The answer for most people is no. They don’t. There is a market for people who need to have the latest and greatest with all the new extras like fingerprint sensor and DSLR-like quality cameras. But for the rest of us, there are phone that does what we ask from it and reasonably well not just for the price, but just overall. If you are on the fence and frustrated from searching like I was, let me help you. Go for this phone and you won’t be disappointed.
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2015
-Smooth Performance
-All Day Battery Life
-Excellent Build Quality
-Good Quality Screen
-NFC (Android Pay Compatible)
-Decent Camera
-MicroSD Expansion
Cons
-Awkward Button Placement
-Squeaky Vibrating Motor
-Updates not guaranteed
-No Gorilla Glass
Should you buy: YES
Actual Value: $220
I loved my Moto G. It made me always question why people spend over $600 on phones when a $200 could work just as well. With the new Moto G, I was willing to buy it right on the spot. But what turned me off was the nearly 3 weeks I’d have to wait for one to be delivered. So I started my search for the next best phone under $200, which lead me to this phone. I’ve had some experience with Alcatel phones, so I didn’t have much expectations with this phone. That being said, I’ve had a couple of days with it and I can say with absolute confidence that I love it.
-Design-
This is one light phone. I’m starting with that because you have no idea how light it is until you hold it in your hand. I actually thought for a moment that the battery wasn’t inside it yet. But it is pleasant to hold in the hand. The design is all plastic, so don’t expect anything premium on this phone like metal. But it is solidly built, rivaling even the Galaxy S5 in build quality. Speaking of which, this phone is lighter and slimmer than the S5. If the phone were sold for more money, I’d still be satisfied. It’s not just good build quality for the price. It’s excellent build quality. Period. The chrome accent is a nice touch and the speaker grills are slightly angled towards the phone, which add a bit of sparkle to an otherwise black phone. No soft touch plastic on this phone, but it does land on a middle ground where the plastic is nice to touch and is resistant to fingerprints. The design is completely symmetrical, which is important for a certain feature that is unique to it. I’d love it even more if it were available in a different color such as white, but that is personal preference. Overall, I can’t find much to complain; especially for the low $180 price.
-Performance-
If you have seen the Moto G’s specs, you’re pretty much getting the same hardware. It uses a Snapdragon 410, 720p display, microSD expansion, Android Lollipop, and even the same camera module (Sony IMX 214). However, there are a few key difference that make this a better phone than the Moto G. For instance, this phone has 1.5 GB of RAM (Moto G=1GB), actual front facing stereo speakers, a 4.7” compared to the 5”, NFC, and 16GB of storage(Moto G=1GB). In benchmarks, I have gotten similar results to the Moto G in both CPU and graphic performance. But benchmarks are only one side of the performance experience. The other is daily user experience. Based on the couple of days with it and after installing many apps, I can tell you that this phone is snappy. It’s not as fast as the current flagship lineup, but it never lags or clips the graphics. Apps open relatively quickly and the animations are smooth, as well as the transitions from one app to another. In my testing of multitasking ability, it opened Chrome, Angry Birds, Pokemon Puzzle, and YouTube with no lag and each app open where I left them off. Opening more will force the phone to suspend one of those apps to save RAM, but 4 apps at once without closing is pretty good for the cost. Games also perform good, as long as you have reasonable expectations. 2D games such as Angry Birds, Pokemon Puzzle, and Clash of Clans run smoothly and without an issue. Other games like Asphalt 8 and Real Racing 3 will run smooth, but not at the highest quality setting. But that’s to be expected from a midrange phone. Signal quality is good. I was able to get 62 Mbps download speed and 8 Mbps upload on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE around Pasadena, CA. Thanks to band 12 support, cell signal in buildings is good with the signal almost never going under 3 bars. The speakers are also amazingly good and loud, coming close to matching HTC’s Boomsound phone speakers thanks to the help from JBL. Overall, it performs close to flagship specs, albeit a bit slower. Most people should be happy with this phone.
-Display-
The phone itself has a beautiful HD display with a 312 PPI (note that the iPhone 6 has a 324 PPI) and it is advertise as being calibrated by Technicolor. While they aren’t at the S6’s quality display, it does come close. The display has a nice color calibration, with vivid colors and nice blacks and whites. It is also bright enough for using even in direct sunlight and the good contrast means you can clearly see what you are doing. It isn’t perfect since there are a couple of issues. The colors do have a VERY slight cool tone, meaning that the whites do have a TINY bit of blue to them. Another small issue is that there is a slight amount of light bleed on one side of the displace. But it isn’t noticeable in daily use and it is good for the price of the phone. One crucial one is the fact that they aren’t using Gorilla glass on this display, opting for the more discreet Dragontrail Glass. Since this is going to be my daily driver, I didn’t want to test the toughness (if Alcatel provides me a unit, I’d gladly test it) but I’ve looked into it and it trades scratch resistance for toughness. It might be easier to scratch it, but it is more resistant to shock. Only time will tell and I will update this review as time moves on.
-Camera-
The camera is a back-facing 13 MP camera and a front, wide angle 5 MP camera. The rear camera uses a Sony Exmor IMX 214, which is the same unit found in the new Moto G and the more expensive Nexus 6. The results are mixed though. On one side, outdoor pictures are good. Whenever there is good lighting such as outside or a well lit room, the pictures do come out high quality with colors mostly accurate and the camera absorbing a lot of details. However, during the night, the picture quality takes a hit, with the camera struggling to get any details from the lack of light. It will get some details if they is ANY type of light, but not much. The lack of OIS also contributes to this issue, but there is no phone with OIS at this price range at the moment. The flash is okay, but since it isn’t a dual tone unit, the light tends to overflow and photos tend to lose their details. Videos are also a similar story, with good lighting providing good results and the opposite being true. There is EIS, but the effect isn’t that noticeable and it doesn’t really help with the quality. This isn’t a camera you’re going to use for important, memorable moments. But for things that most people use, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it works great. This is especially true for the front facing camera, with the selfie cam grabbing a lot of details, provided there is good amount of light.
-Software-
This is basically running a close to stock version of Android Lollipop. It is running version 5.0.2 with a Stagefright patch already added to protect the phone from foreign attacks. There are a few changes to the software. For instance, the icons look like similar to the iPhone, which can be both a good and bad thing, depending on whether you love or hate that style. Other than that, everything works just like stock Android. Except for one feature that I’m surprised isn’t universal to all phones. That is the fact that this phone is reversible. It doesn’t sound as exciting as fingerprint sensor, but it is a rather practical and underrated feature. I’ve answered the phone to test the sound quality and it wasn’t until after I hung up that I realized the phone was upside down. It sounds equally good on either orientation and it is brilliant. Of course, if you don’t like this (for some reason) there is always the option to turn it off. Overall, the light touch that Alcatel added onto Android hasn’t hurt it much and any problems can be easily fixed.
-Conclusion-
I wasn’t expecting to get a high quality phone, especially after my experience with an old model that I can’t even remember the name. But Alcatel did deliver a high quality experience and an astonishing device. It does have some compromises, but Alcatel chose them wisely and the overall result is great. There is a couple of phones that compete in this range, but the biggest one is the Moto G. Is this better? Yes and no. For power users, I would still recommend the high end Moto G because of the extra RAM or even a OnePlus One, which is on sale now for $299. But if it must be under $200, like for college students like me, this beats the $179 low end Moto G due to the higher quality speakers, display, NFC, and the slightly more RAM. This phone helps to answer the question: Do people really need to spend over $800 on a phone to get a high quality experience? The answer for most people is no. They don’t. There is a market for people who need to have the latest and greatest with all the new extras like fingerprint sensor and DSLR-like quality cameras. But for the rest of us, there are phone that does what we ask from it and reasonably well not just for the price, but just overall. If you are on the fence and frustrated from searching like I was, let me help you. Go for this phone and you won’t be disappointed.
Pro:
-Speakers are bananas
-Pulling down the top bar shows a quick preview. Pull down again to show more settings.
-Speakers on both sides (on top and bottom).
-Battery is fantastic upon buying (great once you start downloading apps). Usually, l phones drain at an average rate and then at 20% it magically drops to 0 in no time. This drains slowly without magical drops even when I have WiFi on and using Spotify and pinterest at the same time at 4%. Good stuff.
-Less bloatware: Avg antivirus, Facebook, twitter, chrome, drive, google+, hangouts, weather, WiFi transfer, adobe reader, (NFC) tags, radio, WiFi display, YouTube.
-Design of app buttons - not outdated looking.
-Pros say the display is meh but it looks good to me.
-Double tap screen to wake up. Good if laying flat so you don't have to pick up to press power button.
-Don't need to sign in password to access basic pull down settings.
-If your phone dies, all the apps open when you turn on, like a computer. Nice
-You can uninstall factory apps that are not run by Google. Deleted FB and Twitter, but can't delete YouTube. (Almost) for the win.
Meh:
-Music: songs overlap 5 secs so you know what song is next.
-Camera is acceptable.
-Option to pick up in any orientation. I don't need this feature but if your oober lazy/clumsy I guess this could work for you.
-Power button is on left and volume is on right. Weird but okay.
-Quick access to certain buttons when wake up from sleep like camera, messages, etc.
Con:
-UI is not intuitive like Apple/Samsung.
-Lacks a lot of settings options. No universal settings button like on Samsung.
-There's no main home page like on Samsung; when you press the home button, it goes to the last page you were on.
-Design of buttons: instead of a backwards play button for 'go back' it is an upside down triangle. Home is a circle instead of a house. Showing all open apps is a square. As a designer, this bugs me because they have no correlation...unless they do corrolate in China.
-A sealed battery.
-Bottom button bar takes up far too much space and makes screen smaller.
-Have to tap each text to the time stamp.
-About 4 hrs after unboxing, checked music settings and pressing a song to play in library, it often skips over that song. Sometimes over 1, sometimes as much as six. O thought maybe it was the file type but if you press the backward button (next to pause, not the main), or select play next in queue and press fast forward, it will play. Annoying. Hopefully putting the songs I want into playlists will solve this, unless it skips those too.
All in all, acceptable for under $200 compared to iPhone and samsung. I mean really, we are all spoiled. All you really need is call, text, and camera. Use a tablet or computer for all the app bull. Would still rather my SG-S4 because of the user interface, but I get what I need here. (My S4 just up and died on me. Won't turn on. Survived for 3 wks without it)