Alcatel Flash The Full Rundown on Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction

The Alcatel Flash, released in September 2014, is an intriguing piece of technology from the early 2010s. Despite being discontinued now, it had several features that were quite appealing during its time. In this article, we will explore the specifications and features of the Alcatel Flash in detail.

Network and Connectivity

The Alcatel Flash was equipped with GSM and HSPA technology, supporting 2G and 3G bands. The 2G bands include GSM 900/1800/1900, while the 3G bands include HSDPA 900/2100. This enabled users to enjoy decent internet speeds through HSPA connections, which were quite common at the time. In terms of wireless connectivity, the device featured Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and could also serve as a hotspot, making it versatile for internet sharing. Bluetooth 4.0 allowed for convenient local connectivity, although it lacked NFC capabilities.

Design and Build

The Alcatel Flash featured a sleek design with dimensions of 152.1 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm, making it relatively comfortable to hold despite its large screen size. The phone had a Micro-SIM slot, allowing for standard cellular connectivity. However, specific details about its weight remain undisclosed, which might slightly impact the assessment of its portability.

Display

The device boasted a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi. The screen's 72% screen-to-body ratio offered a reasonably immersive viewing experience, suitable for media consumption and everyday use.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 4.4 KitKat, the Alcatel Flash was powered by a Mediatek MT6592M chipset built on a 28 nm process. It featured an octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-450MP4 GPU, providing adequate performance for the time. This combination ensured smooth operation for basic tasks and light multithreading, though its limitations would be more apparent with intensive applications.

Memory and Storage

The device came with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which, while modest by today's standards, was acceptable for its release period in 2014. Additionally, it supported microSDHC cards, allowing users to expand storage to accommodate more apps, media, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera on the Alcatel Flash was a 13 MP autofocus sensor complemented by features such as an LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes. It could record videos at 1080p@30fps, meeting standard expectations for multimedia capture at the time. The 5 MP selfie camera, while basic, provided adequate functionality for video calls and casual photography.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio output, the phone included a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who preferred wired earphones. The device also included FM radio, adding to its multimedia capabilities, allowing users to enjoy live radio broadcasts.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Alcatel Flash was equipped with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, enabling various applications and additional functionalities. However, it lacked more advanced sensors such as a fingerprint scanner or gyroscope, which became more common in mid-range and flagship devices in later years.

Battery Life

A 3200 mAh removable Li-Ion battery powered the Alcatel Flash, providing substantial battery life for uninterrupted usage throughout a typical day. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to replace it easily, which is a feature increasingly absent in modern smartphones.

Conclusion

Although the Alcatel Flash is discontinued and its features may seem outdated today, at its time of release, it was competitive in the market with reasonable performance, design, and capabilities. Its mix of multimedia features, connectivity options, and basic specifications made it an accessible choice for users looking for a practical, no-frills smartphone experience in the mid-2010s.