Explore Every Angle of Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD Specs Prices & More

Introduction to Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD

The Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD is a smartphone that made its debut in 2013. It was part of the renowned Alcatel One Touch series, known for balancing affordability with decent performance. This device, though discontinued now, was well-received during its time, offering a substantial feature set for a mid-range smartphone. The phone was released under Alcatel's mission to provide cost-effective alternatives to high-end smartphones without compromising too much on functionality or quality.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD reflects a sleek and simple approach, measuring 144 x 75 x 8.5 mm and weighing 135 grams. It was available in multiple colors including Pure White, Black, Flash Red, and Flash Yellow, offering some customization for style-conscious buyers. The device featured a 5.0-inch screen set in an 8.5 mm thick body with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 63.8%, which was quite ergonomic and comfortable for one-handed use.

Display

The One Touch Scribe HD is equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. This resolution translates to a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi, providing vibrant visuals and sharp text. Protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, the screen is more resistant to scratches and everyday wear, giving users peace of mind regarding screen durability.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD is powered by the Mediatek MT6589 chipset, coupled with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. This combination was typical for mid-tier devices of that era and provided sufficient power for basic multitasking and handling standard applications and games.

The phone comes with 1GB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which can feel limited. However, the inclusion of a dedicated microSDHC slot allows users to expand the storage, accommodating more apps, photos, and files.

Running on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the phone offers a user-friendly interface with access to numerous applications via the Google Play Store. While Jelly Bean is now an outdated version of Android, it offered a stable performance environment during its prime.

Camera Capabilities

Alcatel equipped the One Touch Scribe HD with an 8 MP rear camera, featuring autofocus and an LED flash. This camera setup enables users to capture decent photographs and videos, suitable for everyday photography needs. Although it does not compete with modern smartphone cameras, it was adequate for social media sharing and basic photography at the time.

On the front, the device features a basic camera suitable for video calls. The camera functionality is bolstered by the inclusion of basic shooting modes available on the Android platform.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a Li-Ion 2500 mAh removable battery, a standout feature given the increasing trend towards non-removable batteries. This allows users to easily replace the battery if necessary, extending the device's longevity. The phone's battery offers up to 9 hours of talk time on a 2G network and up to 5 hours on a 3G network, ensuring users remain connected throughout the day without frequent recharges.

Connectivity

The connectivity options in the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD include GSM and HSPA technology, providing a range of compatibility with global networks. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities, enabling wireless connectivity for internet access and file sharing.

Additionally, the device includes Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless communication with peripherals, as well as GPS for location-based services. While NFC is not present, the phone does feature a stereo FM radio with RDS and a standard microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

User Experience and Feature Set

In terms of user experience, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD offered a straightforward interface with Android Jelly Bean’s well-received features and capabilities. Users benefited from the familiar layout and app ecosystem of Android, although the phone's hardware limitations meant that high-performance apps and games would pose challenges.

The phone includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, supporting a variety of applications and enhancing interaction with the device. Its reliability and consistency made it a suitable choice for users seeking practicality over cutting-edge features.

Market Position and Legacy

With a launch price of about 220 EUR, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD was positioned as a mid-range device, providing robust functionality at an accessible price point. While it couldn't match the innovative features of high-end models, it served as an effective and efficient choice for many consumers, particularly those who valued affordability and simplicity.

Even though it has been discontinued, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD remains a testament to Alcatel's ability to deliver competitive mobile solutions. The device's simplicity, coupled with its versatile capabilities, showcased the balance essential for mid-tier smartphones during its era.