Alcatel 7 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Alcatel 7 boasts a sleek and modern design typical of mid-range smartphones released in 2018. With dimensions of 162.1 x 75 x 8.6 mm and a weight of 175 g, it is relatively light and comfortable to hold. Its build comprises a rounded plastic edge design which provides a sturdy grip. The back panel houses a fingerprint sensor, allowing for enhanced security and ease of access. The choice of black color adds a classic and timeless appeal to the device.

Display

The device features a 6.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2180 pixels, offering sharp and vibrant visuals with a pixel density of around 402 ppi. Its 18:9 aspect ratio ensures an expansive viewing experience, which is particularly beneficial for media consumption and gaming. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 77.1%, maximizing screen real estate while minimizing bezels. Asahi Glass protection provides an additional layer of resilience against scratches and potential damage.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Alcatel 7 is powered by the Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 chipset, which features an octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a Mali-G71 MP2 GPU. This combination allows for smooth multitasking and handles everyday applications with relative ease. However, with only 2GB of RAM, performance in more resource-intensive applications may experience some slowdowns.

The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, offering a user-friendly interface along with access to the vast Android app ecosystem. While Oreo is not the latest version of Android, it still provides a stable and efficient operating environment.

Camera Capabilities

The Alcatel 7 comes equipped with a dual-camera system on the rear. The primary camera is a 12 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.2, offering features like phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for quicker focusing and a dual-LED dual-tone flash to enhance photography in low-light conditions. The secondary 2 MP depth sensor aids in capturing portrait shots with a bokeh effect, adding depth to the photos. The camera supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, with gyro-EIS helping to stabilize footage.

For selfies, the phone includes an 8 MP front-facing camera with a somewhat narrow f/2.8 aperture, complemented by an LED flash, which ensures decent performance and adequate lighting for video calls and selfies even in dim conditions. Like the rear camera, it supports video recording at 1080p resolution at 30fps.

Battery Life

The Alcatel 7 is powered by a non-removable 4000 mAh Li-Ion battery. This substantial battery capacity ensures a long-lasting usage experience, providing up to 700 hours on standby in 3G, and up to 28 hours of talk time on 3G networks. This makes the device particularly appealing for users who prioritize battery longevity in their smartphones.

The device can be charged with a 10W wired charger, which may take longer to fully charge the large 4000 mAh battery compared to fast charging standards available in more recent models.

Storage and Memory

The internal storage of the Alcatel 7 is 32GB, which is adequate for storing essential applications, photographs, videos, and music. For users requiring additional space, the device includes a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing storage expansion by up to several hundred gigabytes depending on the microSD card used.

With 2GB of RAM, the device can handle basic multitasking, but running several apps simultaneously or using apps that require more resources might slow down the performance.

Connectivity and Network

The smartphone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks offering flexibility across various mobile network types. It includes various LTE bands such as 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, and 71, which should cover a wide range of mobile networks globally. The device supports HSPA speeds of up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 speeds of 300/50 Mbps.

Additionally, the device is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n standards, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS functionality, while lacking NFC capabilities, which might be a downside for those who rely on contactless payments. A Type-C USB 2.0 port is available for data transfer and charging.

Sound and Multimedia

The Alcatel 7 includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature still appreciated by many users for its widespread compatibility with most audio accessories. The sound from the loudspeaker is decent, serving well for speakerphone calls and media consumption.

For radio enthusiasts, the device includes an FM radio feature, providing access to live radio broadcasts directly on the phone, a feature that has become less common in newer smartphone models.

Sensors and Additional Features

For security and enhanced user interaction, the Alcatel 7 is equipped with a fingerprint sensor strategically placed on the rear for convenient access. Alongside this, the device includes essential sensors such as accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, broadening the scope of applications and functionalities that can be used.

Pricing and Availability

Originally announced and released in August 2018, the Alcatel 7 was competitively priced at around 150 EUR, appealing particularly to budget-conscious consumers seeking a feature-rich smartphone without a significant investment. Its availability in major markets as of its release enabled consumers to easily find the device through various retailers and online platforms.