Alcatel Crystal All You Need to Know Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Alcatel Crystal

The Alcatel Crystal is a feature phone that was announced in October 2009 and released later that same year in the fourth quarter. It is now discontinued. Designed primarily for basic communication, the device offers simple functionalities that cater to users who value straightforward mobile experiences over the complexity of modern smartphones.

Network Capabilities

The Alcatel Crystal operates on GSM technology with support for 2G bands specifically on GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies. While most modern smartphones support 3G, 4G, and even 5G, this device's reliance on 2G ensures minimal performance for basic cellular operations such as making calls and sending texts. It does, however, support GPRS Class 10, which allows for basic mobile internet functionality.

Design and Build

The Alcatel Crystal features a compact and lightweight design with dimensions of 94.3 x 46.2 x 19.4 mm and a weight of merely 85 grams. The phone uses a Mini-SIM card and its portability makes it convenient for users who need a secondary phone or prefer carrying less bulky devices.

Display

Equipped with a 1.8-inch TFT display, the Alcatel Crystal has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 23.4%. The screen supports 65K colors with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, translating to a pixel density of around 114 ppi. Such specifications provide a basic but adequate display for viewing text and images.

Camera

The Alcatel Crystal includes a single rear camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. While this is significantly lower than the cameras found on modern devices, it is sufficient for capturing basic photos. The camera also supports video recording, although the quality would be minimal by today's standards.

Memory and Storage

With an internal storage capacity of 10MB, the Alcatel Crystal is designed to store essential data such as contacts and messages. It can support up to 800 phonebook entries with photocall capability. For users needing additional storage, there's a dedicated microSD slot to expand memory capacity, a notable feature for a feature phone at the time.

Battery

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery, the Alcatel Crystal offers a reasonable standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 7 hours. Given its low power requirements and non-demanding display, the phone's battery life is adequate for uninterrupted basic usage over several days.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The phone doesn't support modern connectivity options like WLAN or advanced positioning features. However, it does include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming and a miniUSB 2.0 port for wired connectivity. Notably, there is no support for a 3.5mm headphone jack or FM radio.

Software and Applications

As a feature phone, the Alcatel Crystal runs on a basic operating system that allows for SMS and MMS messaging. Its browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML which offers very limited web access. Additionally, users can enjoy simple Java-based games and applications, considering it supports Java MIDP 2.0.

Conclusion

The Alcatel Crystal was a practical product for its time, primarily focused on delivering essential mobile functionalities. In particular, its design, camera capabilities, and battery performance met the needs of users looking for simplicity and reliability. Despite the discontinuation and limitations in terms of modern features, it remains a notable example of early 21st-century mobile technology.