Trying to be iconic

Alcatel OneTouch's Idol 3 will make you look more into affordable, good-spec'd phones

When it comes to phones, it's always fun to observe what's playing out in the inter-segment arena. Top-line devices may still have the obvious edge, but I've always preached that there are a lot of great phones out there that can save you a ton of cash. Budget-friendly phones with very decent specs have been springing out lately, and Alcatel OneTouch is the latest with their affordable line, the Idol 3.
For starters, this flagship phone comes in two sizes - 4.7" and 5.5" - with both coming in single and dual-SIM options. For good measure, all these models come in with- and without-microSD variants. For this review, we decided to test out the 5.5", dual-SIM, microSD-less model.
It's got a really bright screen, at par with some of the brightest out there. However, I have two issues with the interface; at times there's a noticeable lag when you switch between apps, and scrolling is a bit iffy. Surprising, since it has 2GB of RAM and an octa-core processor! This just goes to show another case of software not meshing well with hardware. Second, the customised Android 5.0 Lollipop interface may not be to everyone's liking - personally, I'm, as yet, undecided on the subject.
You'll be pleased to know that it has a 13MP main camera and a generous 8MP front shooter. It takes decent shots, but may struggle in low-light conditions. Its autofocus also takes longer than you'd expect.
Take a good look at the front of the phone and you'll find it has dual speakers, just like the HTC One. As a result of its partnership with JBL (note the JBL in-ear headset in the box), it packs some serious sound. Again, like HTC, to the left of the homescreen is OneTouch Stream, where you can find news, weather and other stuff that will keep you in the loop.
The battery life is great; normal usage left the phone with almost 10-15 per cent power after it had crossed the 24-hour mark. Alcatel also claims it's the world's first "reversible" smartphone, meaning that even if it's upside down, it still functions perfectly well.
AND SO.
Minus the lag issues, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is proof that flagship specs can exist in lower-priced devices. A little more tinkering would do the trick for the brand - unless the big players out there beat them to the draw.

alvin@khaleejtimes.com

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