Alcatel Idol 3 47 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

General Overview

The Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) was announced in March 2015 and released in June 2015. While it has been discontinued, this smartphone remains noteworthy for its blend of functionality and design at an affordable price point. During its release, the Idol 3 (4.7) was aimed at providing quality features without the premium cost typically associated with high-end devices. It was announced alongside its larger sibling, the Idol 3 (5.5), but the 4.7-inch version catered to those who preferred more compact devices.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 134.6 x 65.9 x 7.6 mm and a weight of 110 grams, the Idol 3 (4.7) sports a sleek and lightweight design, making it easy to handle and use with one hand. The device features a plastic body that is available in black, silver, and gold colors, exuding a premium look despite its budget-friendly nature. The use of plastic, while not as luxurious as metal or glass, contributes to the overall lightweight feel of the phone.

Display

The Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) features a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 312 ppi. This ensures clear and vibrant visuals, catering well to users who enjoy media consumption and browsing. The slim bezels contribute to a screen-to-body ratio of about 68.7%, maximizing the viewing area in a compact package. The display technology used allows for wide viewing angles, ensuring visibility from different orientations.

Performance

Under the hood, the Idol 3 (4.7) is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 306 GPU. This combination was suitable for moderate multitasking and gaming at the time of its release. The device originally came with Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop) but is upgradable to Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), offering users improvements in performance and battery management.

Memory and Storage

The smartphone comes with 1.5GB RAM, which, although modest, pairs adequately with its processor to handle everyday tasks. In terms of storage, the Idol 3 (4.7) is available in two internal storage options: 8GB and 16GB. Additionally, the single-SIM model supports microSD expansion, allowing users to augment their storage capacity with a dedicated slot. This flexibility ensures users can store more apps, photos, and music without constraint.

Camera

The Idol 3 (4.7) is equipped with a 13 MP rear camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture. The camera comes with LED flash, panorama, and HDR modes, facilitating quality photography in various lighting conditions. It can also capture 1080p videos at 30fps. On the front, the device boasts a 5 MP camera, also capable of recording 1080p videos, suitable for selfies and video calls. These camera features were considered robust for a mid-range phone at the time.

Battery Life

Powered by a 2000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, the Idol 3 (4.7) was designed for efficiency. The battery life, while not groundbreaking, was sufficient to last a full day with moderate use, thanks to the energy-efficient Snapdragon 410 processor and the reasonably sized display. Users could manage their daily communications, entertainment, and basic productivity without frequent charges.

Connectivity

The device incorporates comprehensive connectivity options. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, ensuring reliable network coverage and fast internet speeds, with LTE Cat4 providing up to 150/50 Mbps. It features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities for seamless internet access. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP is included for convenient file sharing and connection to wireless accessories.

Additional Features

Additional features of the Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) include NFC support, enabling wireless transactions and data exchange with compatible devices. The smartphone also has GPS for navigation and location-based services, an FM radio with RDS for entertainment on the go, and a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support for connecting peripherals. The dual stereo speakers and 3.5mm audio jack provide ample audio capabilities for media playback. Sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing user interaction and functionality.

Conclusion

The Alcatel Idol 3 (4.7) represents a harmonious balance between design, performance, and affordability. Its compact form factor, combined with competent hardware and the capability to upgrade to Android Marshmallow, makes it a sensible choice for users valuing practicality over high-end specifications. Though it’s now discontinued, the Idol 3 (4.7) set a benchmark for budget smartphones with its thoughtful blend of features tailored to mid-range users’ needs.