Alcatel Fierce Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to Alcatel Fierce

The Alcatel Fierce, a smartphone released in October 2013, represents a snapshot of mobile technology from a decade ago. It was designed to serve as an entry-level smartphone, providing consumers with essential features at an affordable price. This article explores the various aspects of the Alcatel Fierce, including its design, specifications, performance, and overall impact during its time.

Design and Build

The Alcatel Fierce boasts a straightforward yet functional design. It measures 130.3 x 67 x 9 mm (5.13 x 2.64 x 0.35 in), making it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. Weighing in at 130 grams (4.59 ounces), it is lightweight without feeling insubstantial. The device's body is made of durable plastic, providing a solid feel despite the budget-friendly price. The available color options, Slate and Silver, give users a degree of personalization, although the options are limited compared to more contemporary devices.

Display Characteristics

Featuring a 4.5-inch TFT display, the Alcatel Fierce offers a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 63.9%. The screen resolution is 540 x 960 pixels, equating to a pixel density of around 245 pixels per inch (ppi). While this resolution is modest by today's standards, at the time of its release, it provided a decent visual experience for everyday tasks such as browsing, messaging, and viewing media. TFT technology, though not as vibrant as modern OLED displays, was a common choice for budget smartphones, offering acceptable color reproduction and brightness in typical lighting conditions.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Alcatel Fierce is powered by the MediaTek MT6589 chipset. This SoC (System on Chip) features a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, providing sufficient power for basic smartphone operations. The PowerVR SGX544 GPU supports graphics rendering for casual gaming and media playback. With 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, the device is limited in multitasking and storage capacity. However, it does include a microSDHC slot, allowing users to expand storage for media and apps.

Camera Features

The Alcatel Fierce is equipped with a 5MP rear camera, featuring autofocus and an LED flash. It supports video recording at 720p resolution at 30 frames per second. While this camera setup is modest, it suits basic photography needs. The front-facing VGA camera is designed for video calls but delivers grainy selfies by modern standards. This configuration highlights the phone's focus on essential features rather than high-end photography capabilities.

Battery and Connectivity

One of the key considerations in any smartphone is battery life. The Alcatel Fierce is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, providing up to 450 hours of standby time and up to 7 or 8 hours of talk time on 2G and 3G networks, respectively. This performance is satisfactory for a device in its category, offering a full day's use under moderate activity. Connectivity options include 3G HSPA technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS, and FM radio with RDS support, delivering a range of essential connectivity features except for newer technologies like NFC.

Operating System and Software

Out of the box, the Alcatel Fierce runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a version that was prevalent at the time of the device's release. Android 4.2 provides a user-friendly interface, support for a vast array of applications, and facilitates basic smartphone functionality. However, being an older version of Android, it lacks some of the security and feature advancements seen in later updates, potentially limiting the user experience as app requirements evolve.

Network and Communication

The Alcatel Fierce supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with 2G bands including GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G bands comprising HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100. It offers HSPA data speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps, which were considered standard for mid-range devices at the time. The inclusion of a micro-SIM card slot and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer enhances its connectivity options.

Miscellaneous Features

Additional features of the Alcatel Fierce include standard sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, enhancing user interaction for tasks such as adjusting orientation and dimming the display during calls. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories, while a loudspeaker provides basic sound output for calls and media.

Conclusion

In summary, the Alcatel Fierce is a budget-friendly device designed for users seeking a dependable smartphone for essential functions. With its modest hardware, basic camera capabilities, and connectivity options, it addresses the fundamental needs of everyday communication and media consumption. Though discontinued and surpassed by more advanced models, the Alcatel Fierce remains a noteworthy example of entry-level smartphones from the early 2010s, reflecting the technological landscape of its time.