Why You Can Trust CNET Alcatel launches slim new OneTouch Idol 3 phones with two sizes, specs (hands-on)
4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions give you options for nice-looking phones that'll cost less than you think.
BARCELONA -- Flagship phones aren't one-size-fits-all, according to Alcatel. The company launched big and bigger versions of its new flagship, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3, at Mobile World Congress.
Both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions share the same sleek design and Android 5.0 Lollipop. They're made of plastic, but look nice, with a brushed finish on the back and silvery accents throughout. Very slim, the phones have an embedded battery and a microSD card slot that shares space with the SIM card tray (there are dual-SIM variants of the two as well).
Shop for Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (5.5)
See all pricesThe two phones share a 13-megapixel camera and one neat feature that's a first for phones: a "reversible" mode that auto-adjusts the OS so that any way you pick it up is "up". With this feature enabled, the phone also changes the dominant of two 1.2-watt JBL speakers and microphone.
One other touch is the OneTouch Music Mix app, which is a brand-new app for adding DJ effects to a track. Landscape mode gives you more flexibility, while using the app in portrait mode gives you basics to work with.
Where they differ
Apart from the specs they share, like the camera, the larger of the two phones also has the beefier hardware, from screen resolution to battery life.
The 5.5-inch Idol 3 has a 1080p HD display and 8-megapixel camera up front. It also has the more powerful 64-bit, 1.5GHz Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor and a 2,910mAh battery. The larger Idol 3's memory bank is larger, too, at 16GB internal and 2GB RAM (for the single-SIM version; it's 32GB of internal for the dual-SIM variety).
Compare that to the 4.7-inch version, with its 720p display and 5-megapixel front-facing camera, its quad-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor and 2,000mAh battery. Memory stands at 8GB of internal storage and 1GB RAM for the single-SIM model and 16GB with 1GB RAM for the dual-SIM version.
Pricing and availability
This dynamic duo will sell globally in the April and May timeframe, first unlocked through Alcatel's website in April, followed by various GSM carriers.
While Alcatel hasn't announced official pricing yet, costs will be very competitive. The larger Idol 3 will sell for around $250 (roughly £162 and $AU320), with the smaller Idol 3 coming out at about $200 (£130 or $AU256).
Outlook
Alcatel phones are typically easy on the eye, but their usually lower specs and underperformance aren't always worth the lower prices. These new Idol phones hold more promise, at least on paper. Hopefully, these Idols give budget-seekers something exciting to scream about.