Alcatel Flash Plus 2 Full Review Specs and Pricing Unveiled

Design and Build

The Alcatel Flash Plus 2 boasts a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 152.6 x 76.4 x 8.2 mm and a weight of 157g. Its design incorporates a dual SIM feature, using micro-SIMs in a dual standby configuration. This allows users the convenience of managing two lines simultaneously, ideal for separating work and personal communication. The device is available in two elegant colors: Venus Gold and Luna Silver, offering an aesthetic appeal suitable for different tastes. The build quality, although featuring a primarily plastic body, feels sturdy and comfortable in hand, suggesting a balance between durability and sleek design.

Display

The Flash Plus 2 is equipped with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 71.5%, the display provides vibrant colors and sharp visuals, enhancing the user experience whether for video playback, browsing, or gaming. The pixel density of ~401 PPI ensures that images and text are rendered crisply, making it a standout feature for a device at this price point. The large display is ideal for multimedia consumption, and the IPS technology ensures good viewing angles and accurate color reproduction.

Performance

Under the hood, the Alcatel Flash Plus 2 houses a Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 chipset, paired with an octa-core CPU comprising four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and another four clocked at 1.0 GHz. The Mali-T860MP2 GPU efficiently handles graphics processing, providing adequate performance for most everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Available in two variants, one with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, and another with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the device allows users to choose according to their storage needs. Additionally, the presence of a dedicated microSDXC card slot enables storage expansion, offering flexibility for storing more apps, photos, and media.

Camera

The camera system on the Alcatel Flash Plus 2 is designed to meet basic photography needs for capturing memorable moments. The main camera features a 13 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, providing decent photo quality in well-lit environments. It supports features such as phase detection autofocus (PDAF), dual-LED dual-tone flash, and panorama mode. Video recording is available at 1080p resolution at both 60fps and 30fps, catering to simple video content creation. The selfie camera, offering a 5 MP sensor along with an LED flash, is adequate for video calls and social media selfies, although it might struggle in low-light conditions.

Battery and Charging

Powered by a 3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, the Flash Plus 2 is designed to provide a full day of use on a single charge. The device supports 10W wired charging, ensuring that charging times remain reasonable. According to company specifications, the phone can remain on standby for up to 528 hours on a 2G network and up to 405 hours on a 3G network, with talk time extending up to 16 hours on 2G and 15 hours on 3G. Additionally, users can enjoy up to 54 hours of music playback, making the device suitable for media enthusiasts.

Network and Connectivity

Supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, the Alcatel Flash Plus 2 ensures reliable connectivity across various networks. It operates on common frequency bands, namely GSM 850/900/1800/1900 for 2G, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 for 3G, and multiple bands for 4G LTE, ensuring wide compatibility with global networks. The connectivity suite includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP, GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Additionally, it features stereo FM radio with RDS, useful for users who enjoy broadcast content. However, NFC is not supported, which might limit some modern contactless functionalities.

Sound and Multimedia

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker for clear audio output and a 3.5mm headphone jack, accommodating users who prefer wired audio solutions. With acceptable sound quality, the Flash Plus 2 covers basic audio needs for phone calls and entertainment. Furthermore, the user can enjoy multimedia content for extended periods, thanks to the display and audio quality that together enhance video streaming and music listening experiences.

Operating System and Software

The Alcatel Flash Plus 2 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, an iteration of Google's mobile operating system known for its user-friendly interface and a variety of features. While this version may not include the most recent software updates or security patches, it still provides a stable performance environment for most applications and services. Users have access to the Google Play Store, allowing them to download and install a vast array of applications to customize their experience as per their requirements.

Additional Features

Apart from its core specifications, the Flash Plus 2 includes several sensors and features to enhance user interactions. These include a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for improved security and convenience, and an array of sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass. These inclusions enable functionalities like motion tracking, precise navigation, and screen orientation adjustment, contributing to a richer user experience.

Conclusion

Though the Alcatel Flash Plus 2 is now discontinued, it offered a compelling package at its launch in May 2016, balancing cost with functionality. It catered well to budget-conscious users seeking a reliable device for daily tasks, communication, and multimedia consumption. Despite not featuring the latest hardware or software capabilities, it stands out for its design, decent performance, and practicality, ensuring that it could satisfy basic mobile usage needs effectively at its price point.