Alcatel Hero Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Alcatel Hero

Launched initially in 2013 and released in January 2014, the Alcatel Hero sought to make a notable impression in the mid-range smartphone market. Known for its expansive display and feature-rich package, it aimed to cater to users looking for an affordable device with sufficient capabilities for multimedia consumption and daily tasks.

Design and Display

The Alcatel Hero features a sleek design with dimensions of 158.5 x 80.6 x 8.5 mm, making it comfortable to hold despite its large screen. Weighing 177.6 grams, it balances between sturdy and lightweight. Users could choose between Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual standby) variants, adding a layer of customization based on their needs.

The device sports a 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering a vibrant and crisp viewing experience. The display accounts for approximately 77.7% screen-to-body ratio, which is impressive for a device from this era, ensuring more screen real estate for multimedia enjoyment. The screen is protected with an oleophobic coating to minimize fingerprint smudges, maintaining clarity and responsiveness.

Performance and Software

Powered by the Mediatek MT6589 chipset, the Hero employs a quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. This combination provides adequate performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and casual gaming. The inclusion of 2GB of RAM supports smooth multitasking, making the device resilient in handling multiple apps simultaneously.

The device runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), which was competitive at the time of its release. While the software might seem outdated today, it was sufficient for its initial target audience, offering a user-friendly interface and broad support for applications available in the Google Play Store.

Storage Options

The Alcatel Hero came with two internal storage options: 8GB for the single SIM model and 16GB for the dual SIM model. Additionally, it supported microSDHC cards, allowing users to expand storage capacity to accommodate more applications, photos, and videos. This expandability was a significant advantage, especially for users with extensive media libraries.

Camera Capabilities

The device features a 13 MP autofocus main camera equipped with an LED flash, capable of taking detailed and vibrant photos. The camera offers a variety of modes, including panoramic shots, and can record 1080p videos at 30fps with stereo sound. For selfies and video calls, the 2 MP front camera provides adequate quality and can record videos in 720p resolution.

Connectivity Features

The Alcatel Hero supports GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring reliable connectivity on 2G and 3G bands. The device achieves speeds of up to 42.2/11.5 Mbps over HSPA networks. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band support, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA for media streaming and sharing. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP ensures seamless wireless audio connections and data exchange between devices.

The phone offers GPS with GLONASS for precise navigation and location tracking, although it lacks NFC capabilities. The presence of Stereo FM radio with RDS and microUSB 2.0 port add to the list of available connectivity and entertainment features.

Audio and Sensors

Audio quality is crucial for a comprehensive multimedia experience, and the Hero does not disappoint with its loudspeaker and 3.5mm headphone jack options. The audio tests revealed a decent noise level of -77.7dB and crosstalk of -75.6dB, indicating clear audio performance for calls and media playback.

Regarding sensors, the device includes an accelerometer, with optional gyro and proximity sensors, contributing to improved usability and interactive experiences.

Battery Life and Performance

One of the standout features of the Alcatel Hero is its non-removable Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery, providing ample power for a full day's use. The manufacturer claims a standby time of up to 600 hours on 2G and 400 hours on 3G networks, with talk time reaching up to 20 hours on 2G and 18 hours on 3G. These figures highlight the device as a reliable companion for users on the go, reducing the need for frequent charging.

Market Context and Conclusion

At launch, the Alcatel Hero was positioned in the mid-range market segment, appealing to users seeking a large display and robust functionality at an affordable price. Priced around 370 EUR, it offered a competitive package with a significant screen size and sufficient performance capabilities.

Though the device has since been discontinued, it remains a noteworthy entry in Alcatel's product history. Its combination of features laid a foundation for subsequent innovations, capturing the interest of a segment of users that prioritized screen size and multimedia capabilities.