Alcatel adds four new phones and a kid-friendly smartwatch
TCL's other phone brand arrived at IFA with four phones, including two Idol models, and a bright pink smartwatch to, well, keep watch on your kids.
The Alcatel Idol 5S is set to go on sale in the US on Amazon later this year and in Europe by next year. It has a 5.2-inch Full HD display below the 8-megapixel front camera. Like all of Alcatel's new phones it runs Android Nougat.
Around back is the main 12-megapixel camera and a fingerprint sensor.
On the right spine is a shortcut button that will quickly launch one of three features of your choosing. The 5S will sell for 399 euros (about $469, £294 or AU$597).
The Alcatel Idol 5 will sell for 238 euros (about $280, £177 or AU$356). It should land in Europe, Asia and Lain America. It also has a 5.2-inch display.
Around back the design is similar to the Idol 5S, but the skin is a lighter silver color. The main camera has a 13-megapixel resolution, and there's a fingerprint sensor.
The Idol 5 uses micro-USB, but the Idol 5S supports USB Type-C.
Alcatel says the A7 is designed with "performance users" in mind. It's a bit larger than the idol phones with a 5-5-inch full HD display. Inside is an octa-core processor and a 4,000mAh battery with fast charging.
The camera flash sits between the 16-megapixel camera and the fingerprint sensor. The front camera has an 8-megapixel resolution.
The A7 will sell for 229 euros (about $269, £169 or AU$343). Initial markets will be Europe and Asia, but it also could land in the US.
The higher-end Alcatel A7 XL is the largest of the quartet with a 6-inch display. Like the A7, it also has an octa-core processor and a 4,000mAh battery.
For the popular "bokeh" effect, the A7 XL has a dual camera (12-megapixel and 2-megapixel). But if you want to take a regular, old selfie, there's a 5-megapixel front camera.
See! New phones still have 3.5mm headset jacks! The A7 XL is 279 euros (about $328, £258 or AU$418) and will go on sale first in Europe and Asia.
Gadgets designed just for kids were a fad a few years ago, but they never quite took off. Bur that's not deterring Alcatel from launching the MT30 Family Watch.
Among the "family" features: Parents can track the watch (and presumably the person wearing it) and set a geofencing notification if a child exits a preset zone.
The SOS button on the side will call a preprogrammed emergency number.
The MT30 does more than just receive notifications, it also has a SIM card for making calls when you add a Bluetooth headset.
You can choose from a variety of watch faces. The MT30 comes in bright pink or light blue.
In either the color, the watch is resistant to dust, and you can dunk it up to one meter of water. The MT30 will sell for 169 euros (about $199, £156 or AU$253).