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Alcatel Idol 5S A Comprehensive Guide to Features Pricing Pros & Cons

Release Date
2017, September
Camera
12MP
Battery
2850mAh
Battery Type
10W
Processor
Helio P20
Screen
5.2"
Storage
32GB , microSDXC
Ram
3GB RAM
Operating System
Android 7.1

Alcatel Idol 5s Overview and Specifications

The Alcatel Idol 5s was announced and released in September 2017, providing a competitive option in the mid-range smartphone market at the time. It offers a balance of performance and design aesthetics aimed at delivering a pleasant user experience.

Design and Build

The device boasts dimensions of 148.6 x 72 x 7.5 mm and weighs 147 grams, making it a fairly lightweight and slim device that feels comfortable in hand. Its design is modern and appealing with oleophobic coating protection on the display which adds a layer of resistance to fingerprints and smudges. The Idol 5s is available in a sleek Dark Gray color, enhancing its premium look.

Display

The phone features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 424 ppi. This ensures vibrant colors and sharp details, making it suitable for media consumption and daily usage. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 69.7%, providing a good balance of screen real estate with manageable device size.

Performance and Platform

The Idol 5s is powered by the Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset, which is built on 16 nm technology. The device runs on an octa-core CPU with a configuration of 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.65 GHz Cortex-A53, alongside a Mali-T880MP2 GPU. This setup provides adequate performance for multitasking and running general applications smoothly. The device operates on Android 7.1 (Nougat), offering familiar software features and functionalities.

Memory and Storage

With 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, the Idol 5s delivers sufficient memory for running apps and storing files. Additionally, it supports microSDXC, allowing for expansion of storage through a dedicated card slot, which is immensely useful for users needing extra space for multimedia content.

Camera Capabilities

The Alcatel Idol 5s is equipped with a 12 MP main camera, featuring an aperture of f/2.0, PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus), and dual-LED dual-tone flash. This setup is capable of capturing decent images with enhanced lighting and clarity. The camera supports HDR and panorama modes and records video at 1080p@30fps. On the front, there is an 8 MP selfie camera with an aperture of f/2.0, aimed at delivering considerable image quality for video calls and self-portraits.

Sound and Multimedia

The device comes with stereo speakers providing a fuller and more immersive sound experience. Moreover, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, preserving compatibility with a wide array of audio accessories.

Connectivity

The Idol 5s supports a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band and Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE, and positioning via GPS. Despite the absence of NFC, the smartphone includes an FM radio with RDS and retains a USB Type-C 2.0 port, which supports OTG (On-The-Go) functionality.

Battery Life

Fueled by a non-removable Li-Ion 2850 mAh battery, the Idol 5s ensures decent battery life, with standby time rated up to 500 hours on both 2G and 3G networks and talk time up to 18 hours. Charging is facilitated by a 10W powered adapter, enabling efficient power replenishment.

Additional Features

On the rear, a fingerprint sensor provides enhanced security and quick access to the device. The Idol 5s is equipped with an array of sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, boosting its interaction and functional handling capabilities.

Price and Affordability

The Alcatel Idol 5s was priced at approximately 140 EUR upon its release, positioning it as a cost-effective solution for users seeking functionality, decent performance, and elegance without a substantial financial outlay.

Conclusion

In summary, the Alcatel Idol 5s delivers an appreciable balance between features, design, and cost. With its competent hardware, sufficient storage options, and stylish aesthetics, it presents itself as a capable contender in the mid-tier smartphone category. Despite its limitations, such as lack of NFC and older Android version, it remains a valuable option for consumers prioritizing affordability and reliable performance.

Main Features of Alcatel Idol 5s

  • Network technology supports GSM / HSPA / LTE.
  • Lightweight design with a weight of 147 g (5.19 oz).
  • Compact dimensions: 148.6 x 72 x 7.5 mm.
  • 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.
  • Screen protection with Oleophobic coating.
  • Powered by Android 7.1 (Nougat) OS.
  • Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset with an Octa-core CPU.
  • 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM, expandable via microSDXC.
  • 12 MP main camera with Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama.
  • 8 MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture.
  • Stereo speakers and 3.5mm audio jack.
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.
  • Comes with USB Type-C 2.0 and OTG support.
  • Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and multiple sensors like accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.
  • 2850 mAh battery with up to 18 hours of talk time and 500 hours of standby time.
  • Affordable price point at approximately 140 EUR.

Disadvantages of Alcatel Idol 5s

  • No NFC support for contactless payments.
  • Non-removable battery makes it challenging to replace.
  • Limited RAM and internal storage (3GB RAM, 32GB storage) compared to more recent devices.
  • Older chipset (Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20) which might affect performance with newer applications.
  • No support for fast charging, only 10W wired charging available.
  • Launched with Android 7.1 (Nougat), which is outdated, and may lack support for new apps and security updates.
  • Average camera performance by current standards, with only 12 MP main camera and 8 MP front camera.
  • Screen-to-body ratio (~69.7%) may appear less immersive than newer models with higher ratios.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28
Speed HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2017, September
Status Available. Released 2017, September
Body
Dimensions 148.6 x 72 x 7.5 mm (5.85 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)
Weight 147 g (5.19 oz)
SIM Nano-SIM
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Protection Oleophobic coating
Platform
OS Android 7.1 (Nougat)
Chipset Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.65 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-T880MP2
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal 32GB 3GB RAM
Main Camera
Single 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.4µm
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS
NFC No
Radio FM radio with RDS
USB USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features
Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 2850 mAh, non-removable
Charging 10W wired
Stand-by Up to 500 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G)
Misc
Colors Dark Gray
Models 6060X
Price About 140 EUR

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