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Alcatel Idol 3 55 Comprehensive Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2015, June
Camera
13MP
Battery
2910mAh
Processor
Snapdragon 615
Screen
5.5"
Storage
16GB/32GB , microSDXC
Ram
2GB RAM
Operating System
Android 5.0.2, up to 6.0.1

Network and Connectivity

The Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5) is equipped with GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring robust connectivity. It supports 2G, 3G, and 4G bands that are essential for global usage, including GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100. The LTE Cat4 offers download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, making internet browsing and streaming efficient.

Launch and Availability

Announced in March 2015 and released in June of the same year, the Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5) is now discontinued. Despite this, it left a significant mark on the smartphone market due to its price-to-features ratio.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 152.7 x 75.1 x 7.4 mm and a weight of 141 g, the Idol 3 (5.5) is slim and lightweight, making it comfortable for one-handed use. It comes in single and dual SIM variants and features Micro-SIM slots. The design is sleek and contemporary, available in black, silver, and gold colors.

Display

The phone boasts a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, covering approximately 72.7% of the body. This screen offers a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, delivering vivid and crisp visuals at 401 ppi density. This makes it ideal for media consumption, with ample color accuracy and viewing angles.

Platform and Performance

Powered by Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, the Idol 3 (5.5) is upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. It uses the Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset with an octa-core CPU structure - four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and four at 1.0 GHz. This setup provides a balanced performance, suitable for multitasking and general usage without significant lag.

The Adreno 405 GPU supplements the CPU for graphic performance, allowing for smooth gaming experiences on mid-range settings.

Memory

The device offers 2GB RAM, facilitating smooth operation and app handling. It comes in two internal storage variants - 16GB and 32GB, with a dedicated microSDXC slot on the single SIM model for expandable storage, up to 256GB. This provides ample space for applications, media, and files.

Camera

Main Camera

The 13 MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture is equipped with a 1/3.1" sensor and 1.12µm pixel size, capturing bright and sharp images. It features an LED flash, panorama, and HDR, improving photo quality under varying light conditions. Video recording is available at 1080p@30fps.

Selfie Camera

An 8 MP front camera supports full HD video at 1080p@30fps, perfect for selfies and video calls, thanks to its decent color reproduction and sharpness.

Audio and Sound

The phone features stereo speakers for premium sound quality, enhancing media consumption with clear and loud audio. The presence of a 3.5mm jack ensures compatibility with most headphones and external audio devices.

Communication

For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and a hotspot. Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP enables easy pairing with other devices, and NFC for contactless data sharing. The microUSB 2.0 with OTG support also facilitates easy data transfer.

Additional Features

Incorporated sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, catering to diverse functionalities. These sensors enhance user interaction by adapting to various apps and features effectively.

Battery Life

The non-removable Li-Ion 2910 mAh battery provides substantial power, with talk time up to 13 hours on both 2G and 3G networks. This battery performance ensures reliability throughout the day for general use, although heavy users might need to recharge before the day ends.

Pricing and Model Variants

Originally, the Idol 3 (5.5) was priced around 250 EUR, competing aggressively in the mid-range market. Available model numbers include 6045Y, 6045K, 6045O, and 6045I, catering to different markets and user needs.

Conclusion

The Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5) remains a notable model for its ergonomic design, vibrant display, and balanced performance. Although discontinued, its legacy continues among users appreciating its cost-effective approach. Despite newer models in the market, the Idol 3 (5.5) is a remarkable device in terms of features offered at its price point.

Key Features of Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5)

  • Network: Supports GSM / HSPA / LTE with diverse 2G, 3G, and 4G bands for expansive connectivity.
  • Display: 5.5 inches IPS LCD with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution providing sharp and vibrant visuals.
  • Platform: Powered by Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 with an octa-core processor for efficient performance.
  • Memory: Available options with 16GB and 32GB internal storage, both with 2GB RAM, and a microSDXC card slot (single-SIM model).
  • Main Camera: 13 MP with f/2.0 aperture, featuring LED flash, panorama, and HDR capabilities.
  • Selfie Camera: 8 MP front-facing camera capable of recording at 1080p@30fps.
  • Sound: Equipped with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack for enhanced audio experience.
  • Comms: Includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, FM radio with RDS, and microUSB 2.0 with OTG support.
  • Sensors: Features essential sensors like accelerometer, proximity, and compass.
  • Battery: Non-removable Li-Ion 2910 mAh battery offering talk time of up to 13 hours on 3G.
  • Design & Build: Lightweight at 141 g, available in Black, Silver, and Gold color options.

Disadvantages of Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5)

  • Discontinued status makes it difficult to find in the market.
  • Non-removable battery limits the ability to replace the battery easily.
  • Only supports microUSB 2.0, which is outdated compared to newer USB standards.
  • Lacks any advanced sensors like fingerprint or gyroscope.
  • Limited RAM (2GB) can lead to slower performance with modern apps and multitasking.
  • Snapdragon 615 chipset is considered outdated by current standards.
  • The initial Android version (5.0.2, upgradable to 6.0.1) is very old and may not support newer apps and features.
  • The internal storage limits (16GB/32GB) can be restrictive for users without microSD expansion, especially in dual-SIM model.
  • LTE Cat4 support is relatively slow for current 4G standards.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2015, March. Released 2015, June
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 152.7 x 75.1 x 7.4 mm (6.01 x 2.96 x 0.29 in)
Weight 141 g (4.97 oz)
SIM Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 405
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM model
Internal 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM (DS)
Main Camera
Single 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Features LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 8 MP
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth 4.1, A2DP
Positioning GPS
NFC Yes
Radio FM radio, RDS
USB microUSB 2.0, OTG
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 2910 mAh, non-removable
Talk time Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G)
Misc
Colors Black, Sliver, Gold
Models 6045Y, 6045K, 6045O, 6045I
Price About 250 EUR

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