Skip to main content

Alcatel OneTouch is going up against the Moto G 2015 with this $180, 4.7-inch smartphone

Alcatel OneTouch announced the Idol 3 a few months back, but only the 5.5-inch version has been available. Those of you waiting for the more affordable 4.7-inch version will finally have a chance to purchase it starting Friday, August 14 for $180. That’s $70 less than the 5.5-inch version, and crucially, the same price as the new Motorola Moto G 2015.

Other than its size, the 4.7-inch version is slightly less powerful than the 5.5-inch bigger brother. The phone sports a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 along with 1.5GB of RAM, while the big-screen version makes use of the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 along with 2GB of RAM.

Related Videos

The display resolution has been cut to 720p, down from 1080p on the larger model. That might sound like a lot, but it won’t be that noticeable due to the smaller display size. The Idol 3 has a 2000mAh battery, which is much smaller than the 2900mAh battery found in the 5.5-inch phone, but the drop in display resolution should keep the battery life at a similar level.

The rest of the specs are mostly the same. You will get a 13-megapixel shooter on the rear along with 5 megapixels at the front. The front-facing stereo speakers, featuring JBL Audio, promise to sound good too. A total of 16GB internal storage is included, which is higher than many of its competitors, plus you can add another 32GB of additional storage using the microSD slot.

Android 5.0.2 is installed as standard, and it features an unusual rotating user interface, meaning you can use it whatever way round you’re holding the phone, upside down or right side up. More importantly, Alcatel OneTouch says the Idol 3 will receive an update shortly after turning on the phone that will fix the scary Stagefright security flaw.

Lastly, the new Idol 3 has 4G LTE connectivity and is compatible with all GSM carriers in North America, a list that includes both AT&T and T-Mobile. At $180 unlocked and contract free, the Idol 3 4.7 is competing directly with the Moto G 2015. Spec-wise, both phones are very similar, but the Moto G can be customized through Moto Maker and has water resistance, all for the same price.

You can grab the Idol 3 4.7 from alcatelonetouch.us or alcatelonetouch.ca, in addition to Amazon starting this Friday, August 14.

Editors' Recommendations

I’ve used Android phones for 10 years, and I hate these ones the most
pixel 4 xl rear sticking out

I’ve been using and reviewing Android smartphones for at least a decade, and during that time, I’ve spent time with a massive variety of devices that mostly fall into three distinct categories: good, passable, and bad. But what about the ones that have really stirred my emotions in a negative way? The phones that have elicited a visceral, guttural response? I’m not talking about the ones I love, but the ones I’ve downright hated.

Here are the six models that have irked me the most over the last 10 years of using and reviewing smartphones, and the reasons why they’ve made this list.
Google Pixel 4

Read more
Your Pixel 7 is about to get a whole lot less buggy — here’s why
Two Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphones.

Google is rolling out a new Android 13 update that fixes 46 bugs and performance issues for the Pixel 7. The fixes range from squashing smaller bugs to larger, systemwide updates that do things like optimize battery life and overall performance, making this one of the most substantial Pixel 7 updates to date. While the update, Android 13 QPR2, provides a lot of fixes for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro specifically, it also cleans up performance for the entire Pixel 6 line as well.

There are plenty of small fixes in the update. However, the bigger ones seem like they're going to noticeably improve the user experience for all Pixel 7 owners on just about every front.

Read more
Google Pixel 7a: news, release date and price rumors, and more
Leaked render of the Google Pixel 7a.

Google's Pixel family of smartphones has made a notable impact on the Android smartphone world, but not in the way we saw coming a few years back. Flagship Pixel smartphones are great, but where the Pixel really shines is in the budget space. In 2023, the next phase of the affordable Pixel will take the shape of the Google Pixel 7a.

The Pixel 7a will have pretty big shoes to fill, as 2022's Pixel 6a remains one of the best smartphone deals, delivering an excellent camera and software experience at a killer price. The Pixel 5a before it was also a highlight, especially when it came to battery life. Where will Google go next for the Pixel 7a? Here's a roundup of all the latest rumors and news you need to know.
Google Pixel 7a: design
Pixel 7a render OnLeaks / SmartPrix

Read more