TCL unveils 3 sub-$200 Alcatel phones for CES
Alcatel's 3L, 1L and 1S are set to release in February and March.
In a world where $1,300 phones quickly sell out, it's comforting to know there are companies still launching basic handsets for just a few hundred bucks.
Alcatel, which has been selling entry-level smartphones for years, added three new sub-$200 phones to its portfolio. The phones, which manufacturer TCL announced Monday, at CES are the 1S, 1L and 3L. They're aimed at cost-conscious people who need a basic Android phone with a decent camera, and not necessarily the fancier features seen on phones like the iPhone 12 or Galaxy S20, for instance.
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Although Alcatel didn't share a complete specs with us yet, we do know the Alcatel 3L is the highest-end model, boasting a triple rear camera set-up headlined by a 48-megapixel shooter. The 1L and 1S fall in a similar price range of approximately $130, but the 1S appears to have the edge with a larger battery and more extensive camera module. The 1L also runs on Android Go, a version of Android designed for phones with lower-end specs.
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The Alcatel 1L will be released internationally in February, priced at 109 euros (converts to approximately $130, £100 or AU$170). In March, the Alcatel 1L and 3L will hit shelves in "select markets around the world."
For more details on these three new budget phones, here are some key specs.
Alcatel 3L
- 6.52-inch screen; HD Plus; 20:9 aspect ratio
- Rear camera: 48-megapixel main lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens, a 2-megapixel depth lens
- Price: 149 euros (approximately $180, £130 or AU$235)
- Colors: Jewelry black and jewelry blue
- RAM: 4GB
- Processor: Unspecified octa-core processor
Alcatel 1L
- 6.1-inch display; HD Plus; 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Battery: 3,000 mAh
- Rear camera: 13-megapixel main lens, 2-megapixel macro lens
- Runs on Android 11 (Go edition)
- Price: $135
- Colors: Power grey and twilight blue
- Processor: Unspecified, "multi-core" processor
Alcatel 1S
- 6.52-inch; HD Plus; 20:9 aspect ratio
- Rear camera: 13-megapixel main lens, a 2-megapixel depth lens, 2-megapixel macro lens.
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Price: 109 euros (converts to approximately $130, £100, AU$170)
- Colors: Elegant black and twilight blue