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Introduction
Living up to its long-standing reputation TCL brought a traditionally "abundant" roster of new phones to MWC 2015. Also, in keeping with tradition, most of these come in a large number of versions, with plenty of optional features, so bear with us here.
That being said, the Alcatel 5 is a clear stand-out this year. Just like the rest of its sibling, making a debut at the Barcelona venue, it comes with a trendy, 18:9 display. However, TCL took things one step further, by reducing the bottom chin on the handset to a minimum. Quite a distinct look, if nothing else.
Alcatel 5 Specs
- Body: Plastic, with metallic finish; 152.3 x 71.1 x 8.4mm, 144g.
- Screen: 5.7-inch, 18:9, HD+ IPS LCD
- Rear Camera: 12MP, 1.25 µm, f/2.2 lens, EIS, LED flash
- Front Camera: 13MP (1.4 µm), f/2.0, 5MP secondary, EIS, LED flash
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6750, octa-core 1.5GHz + 1.0GHz
- Memory: 2GB/3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB + microSD
- OS: Android 7.0 Nougat
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Connectivity: Optional dual SIM (4G), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, optional NFC, USB 2.0 Type-C, FM radio
- Misc: Fingerprint reader
Following the Alcatel 5 in the lineup is a trio a Alcatel 3 devices. The top tier of these, being the Alcatel 3V. Like its siblings, it comes with a much more traditional look, while still adopting an extra-tall, 18:9 panel. In the case of the 3V, it's a very sizeable 6-inch one, with FullHD native resolution.
Alcatel 3V Specs
- Body: Plastic, with sleek shine casing and 3D curve back; 162 x 76 x 8.05mm, 155g.
- Screen: 6.0-inch, 18:9, FHD+ IPS LCD
- Rear Camera: 12MP, 1.25 µm, f/2.2 lens, 2M, f/2.4 secondary, EIS, LED flash
- Front Camera: 5MP, LED flash
- Chipset: MediaTek MT8735A, quad-core 1.45GHz
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB/32GB + microSD
- OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Connectivity: Optional dual SIM (4G), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, optional NFC, USB 2.0 MicroUSB
- Misc: Fingerprint reader
If you find 6 inches a little bit unwieldy, the Alcatel 3X brings that down to a more manageable 5.7 inches. All the while, it still keeps the trendy new 18:9 aspect, with a slight bump down in resolution and most other specs. Surprisingly, not RAM, though, with a 3GB version also available. You also get a choice between a metallic finish, like on the Alcatel 5 or a glossy one.
Alcatel 3X Specs
- Body: Plastic, with metallic or glossy finish (market dependant); 153.5 x 71.6 x 8.5mm, 144g.
- Screen: 5.7-inch, 18:9, HD+ IPS LCD
- Rear Camera: 13MP, 1.12 µm, f/2.0 lens, 78.4-degree, 5MP, 1.12 µm, f/2.2 lens, 120-degree secondary, EIS, Dual-tone LED flash
- Front Camera: 5MP, LED flash
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6739, quad-core 1.28GHz
- Memory: 2GB/3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB + microSD
- OS: Android 7.0 Nougat
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Connectivity: 4G, VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, optional NFC, USB 2.0 Type-C, FM Radio
- Misc: Fingerprint reader
Then comes the regular Alcatel 3 with a smaller display diagonal still, at 5.5-icnhes. The 18:9 aspect is intact, but unlike it's 3X sibling, the regular version lacks a secondary main camera and is only available with a glossy finish on its plastic body. Most other specs seem identical between the two.
Alcatel 3 Specs
- Body: Plastic, with glossy finish; 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.5mm, 145g.
- Screen: 5.5-inch, 18:9, HD+ IPS LCD
- Rear Camera: 13MP, 1.12 µm, f/2.0 lens, EIS, LED flash
- Front Camera: 5MP, LED flash
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6739, quad-core 1.28GHz
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB + microSD
- OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Connectivity: Optional dual SIM (4G), VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, optional NFC, USB 2.0 Type-C
- Misc: Fingerprint reader
The Alcatel 3C also made an appearance at the show, but it's been official for some time now. Moving on, we have the Alcatel 1X. Like the name suggests, it is the smallest of the bunch at 5.3 inches. The resolution is pretty low at 960 x 480 pixel. Still, interestingly enough, the panel is also 18:9 - maintaining a nicely consistent look throughout the lineup. It is also part of Google's new Android Go program, which means timely and persistent software updates for the foreseeable future.
Alcatel 1X Specs
- Body: Plastic, with suede and soft touch finish; 147.5 x 70.6 x 9.1mm, 151g.
- Screen: 5.3-inch, 18:9, 960x480pixel, IPS LCD
- Rear Camera: 8MP or 13MP, f/2.0 lens, EIS, LED flash
- Front Camera: 5MP, LED flash
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6739, quad-core 1.28GHz
- Memory: 1GB/2GB RAM, 16GB + microSD
- OS: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition)
- Battery: 2460mAh
- Connectivity: Optional dual SIM (4G), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, optional NFC, USB 2.0 Type-C
- Misc: Optional fingerprint reader
Last, but not least, there is the Alcatel 1C. Although never specifically mentioned in TCL's press release, we did spot it on the show floor. From what we can gather, it has the same display, chipset, memory and camera setup as the 1X. The main difference we spotted was a metal finish on the 1C and a lack of LTE. It also seems to be running Android Nougat, leaving it our of the Android Go program.
alcatel 5 hands-on
Given the company's recent track record, we've already come to expect extra-tall devices from the likes of TCL across most, if not all of its lineup. The alcatel 5, however, takes display experimentation one step further, still. Almost entirely lacking a bottom chin and with pretty thin side-bezels, it is a head-turner for sure.
However, even after our brief time with the alcatel 5, we can already say shaving off the area underneath the display entirely is not a good idea. According to TCL, the goal was to make the top of the 5.7-inch, 18:9 panel easily accessible for one-handed use. But unless you have freakishly long fingers, that isn't really feasible without doing a hand-shuffle, most of us have already grown so accustomed. What the new design does achieve, however, is diminished reachability for the on-screen navigation bar at the bottom. Ergonomics are not great on the alcatel 5.
alcatel 5
While on the topic of display, we were a little surprised to learn it only has a native HD+ (1440 x 720 pixel) resolution. Not that we really managed to spot any discernible separate pixels, but the cheaper alcatel 3V does feature a FullHD+ panel and TCL is officially positioning the alcatel 5 as an affordable flagship. The front of the phone is also a major fingerprint magnet.
On a positive note, however, the display does have pretty nice viewing angles and gets plenty bright to use in the sun.
Ergonomics aside, the body on the alcatel 5 actually feels pretty good and surprisingly light, given it looks made out of metal. TCL representatives were kind enough to confess that was all smoke and mirrors, since the alcatel 5 is plastic all around. Still, nice job on the "metallic painting" in both black and gold. The only real give-away for the bill of materials we managed to spot was a little give on the back side of the unit.
Since we are already talking about the back panel, it houses a snappy fingerprint reader. Still, TCL is shifting the spotlight away from it, in favour of a face unlock feature, which it calls "Face Key". Our preliminary impressions of it are quite positive - it's both quick and reliable. But, we do get the feeling most of the heavy lifting is done by Google's face unlock system, already part of the Android OS. Even so, that's not really criticism. The thing we didn't entirely enjoy was the fact that the power button on the alcatel 5 is angled just slightly towards the back and is a bit mushy. Finding it is quite easy, thanks to the textured finish, but the other parts of the experience are not ideal, since you do have to press it to trigger the otherwise convenient "Face Key" unlock.
alcatel 5
TCL seems to have put some extra effort into the camera experience of the alcatel 5. The main 12MP, 1.25 μm, f/2.2, EIS-enabled camera looks pretty decent on paper. Considering the phone's sub EUR 300 price tag, of course. There is some interpolation weirdness going on, but, thankfully, it is optional and you can simply choose not to handicap your photos and shoot in native 12MP mode.
alcatel 5 selfie samples
The selfie camera might also offer some interpolation options on certain variants of the alcatel 5, but those should thankfully be optional as well. Other than that, the selfie experience is surprisingly impressive. Don't get us wrong, the 13MP, 1.4 μm, f/2.0 primary shooter, augmented by a 5MP, ultrawide secondary one, can't offer any paradigm-shifting quality. Still, upon preliminary inspection, it gives a solid performance. The more interesting aspects include EIS, as well as a 120-degree wide field of view and some camera smarts to go along with it. The selfie cam managed to detect three faces and automatically switch to group selfie mode. Neat!
alcatel 5 texture case
TCL is releasing the alcatel 5 right away in quite a few variants, including optional Dual-SIM support, 2GB RAM, plus 16GB expandable storage, or 3GB, plus 32GB and a couple of color options: Metallic Gold and Metallic Black. The asking price is competitive - 230 euros. TCL is will also be offering its own official texture cases for it. These look very similar to the popular Google Pixel 2 ones, only a bit softer and bendier.
alcatel 3V hands-on
In some ways, the 3V is the premier phone in alcatel's new line-up, never mind what the numbers say. The 6" 18:9 screen has 1080p+ resolution - putting it in the company of Huawei Mate 10 Pro and OnePlus 5T. This is the highest resolution screen of the four new phones and we quite liked the image quality.
An 18:9 screen with a respectable 1080p+ resolution
And it runs Android 8.0 Oreo, we have no complaints about that. The chipset we will complain about, however, a quad-core processor is not okay even in the sub-€200 segment. Not to mention the limited RAM - 2GB.
Anyway, the phone is attractive enough. We got to handle the Spectrum color options, which have a glossy metallic paint. It beauty fades as fingerprints quickly accumulate, though. We were surprised to see that the phone weighs 155g, it feels so very light.
alcatel 3V's dual camera is used for bokeh shots
The dual camera on the back relies primarily on the 12MP camera - with f/2.2 aperture and 1.25µm pixels. The secondary camera (2MP) is used for bokeh effects, but our first impression isn't very positive.
Testing the bokeh effect of the alcatel 3V camera
All the main cameras on the alcatel 3-series phones feature Electronic Image Stabilization and record 1080p video.
alcatel 3V uses microUSB and a 3.5mm audio jack
The camera app offers an option to interpolate the image to 16MP, but it defaults to 12MP. You stand to gain nothing from the interpolation, so it's best to ignore that.
The alcatel 3V is launching today at a price of €190.
alcatel 3X hands-on
The alcatel 3X is slightly smaller, but it feels heavier than the 3V - that's an illusion, though, it's actually lighter at 144g. This one will be available with a glossy finish in Latin America, but Europe, Asia and the Middle East are getting the matte versions (no fingerprints, yay).
The screen on this one is smaller, 5.7", but more importantly it drops the resolution to 720p+. We didn't mind it too much, these phones straddle the line between mid-range and entry-level after all. There's no mention of scratch-resistance on any of these.
The screen looks good, but has a lower resolution than the 3X
But then a second disappointment came - this one runs Android Nougat. Even the 1X has Oreo (more on that later). The 32GB version of this phone comes with 3GB of RAM, which feels a bit better. The 16GB one drops back to 2GB again.
Moving past that, the dual camera on this one is different - the second sensor is on wide-angle duties. Specifically, it has a 120° lens (fixed focus). The other camera, 12MP, does have autofocus.
The dual camera on the alcatel 3X is used for wide-angle shots
The selfie camera, 5MP sensor, has an LED flash - just like the 3V. And it can be used to unlock the phone, alcatel calls this Face Key, but it is based on the Android face unlock.
alcatel 3X uses microUSB and has a 3.5mm audio jack
The alcatel 3X will arrive next month for €180.
alcatel 3 hands-on
The alcatel 3 costs the least of these three, but it comes with Android 8.1 Oreo (Nougat, 3X, really?). And it has the same resolution as the 3X, 720p+, although at a slightly smaller size - 5.5".
The smallest screen of the 3-series - 5.5"
It's a reasonably compact phone for its size (alcatel says the screen to body ratio is 77.5%) although it felt the heaviest in our hand. Still, at 145g the alcatel 3 is quite portable and you get the same 3,000mAh battery capacity.
The alcatel 3 charges through a microUSB port and has a 3.5mm audio jack
Note that the alcatel 3 has a single camera on the back with a 13MP sensor. The selfie cam is the standard 5MP shooter with an LED flash (and the accompanying Face Key).
The alcatel 3 has only one camera on its back
The phone comes in Black, Blue and Gold versions with a glossy finish. You can grab one next month for €150.
alcatel 3C hands-on
The alcatel 3C was announced in January, but hasn't gone on sale yet so took the opportunity to spend some time with it. It's a mishmash of features from the other 3-series phones.
It has a 6" screen like the 3V, but with 720p+ resolution like the 3X. It's closer to the base alcatel 3 in other respects. And it has a single 8MP camera on the back (with a fingerprint reader below it).
The alcatel 3C is the junior 3-series phone
You should set your expectations according to the price of the alcatel 3C - €90 in this case. It runs Android 7.1 Nougat on a quad-core Cortex-A7 chipset (yes, really, an A7) and it has only 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
alcatel 1X hands-on
The alcatel 1X tries to stretch its €100 budget (€110 if you want dual SIM) as far as it will go. The company stuck to its promise of an all 18:9 line-up, but the resolution of 480 x 960px of the 1X is a bit low (some competitors try not to drop below 720p).
An 18:9 screen on a €100 phone, the alcatel 1X
Anyway, this phone runs Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition), which will work better on the MediaTek MT6739 chipset than the full-fat Android of the 3-series (which have similar 1.3GHz quad-core processors).
The alcatel 1X has a microUSB port and a 3.5mm audio jack
Another cutback was the fingerprint reader - it's available only on some units. And there's no Face Key from the 5MP selfie camera. The good news is that the camera on the back - 13MP or 8MP, depending on where you live - records 1080p video and features EIS, just like the 3-series.
The rear camera differs by region - 13MP or 8MP
For the 1X, alcatel chose a soft-touch Suede finish, which we quite liked.
alcatel 1C
The alcatel 1C was a surprise addition - and its anodized aluminum back cover with a brushed finish was an even bigger surprise. Even the 5 doesn't have a metal back! Anyway, in terms of hardware this is pretty similar to the 1X, however it runs an older Android Nougat. And there will be a 13MP camera in some regions (changed to 8MP in others).
alcatel 1C
The image quality of the 5.3" screen was poor and there was noticeable stutter. Even scrolling the menu wasn't smooth. We're not 100% sure on the chipset, but it is paired with 1GB of RAM and 16GB storage. This hardware badly needs Android Go Edition.
alcatel 1C
The alcatel 1C will cost €90, but note that it lacks LTE.
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