Alcatel OT206 Features Pricing Pros & Cons Explored

Overview of Alcatel OT-206

The Alcatel OT-206, announced in 2009 and released in April 2010, was a feature phone that targeted users who sought basic communication functionality in an economical and straightforward mobile device. The device was discontinued after serving its market segment effectively.

Design and Build Quality

With dimensions of 106 x 46 x 14.5 mm and weighing just 60 grams, the Alcatel OT-206 was a compact and lightweight phone. Its plastic body and Mini-SIM slot provided durability for day-to-day use. Despite the simplicity of its design, the phone was available in a variety of attractive colors such as Grey, Deep Red, Orange, and Apple Green, which added a touch of personalization for users.

Display

The Alcatel OT-206 featured a 1.5-inch CSTN display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels. This size translated to a modest screen-to-body ratio of approximately 14.9%, with a pixel density of 121 ppi. The display was capable of showing 65K colors, which was more than adequate for displaying basic visuals and user interface elements.

Camera Capabilities

The phone was equipped with a single VGA camera, which offered basic imaging capabilities. Given its primary focus on communication, the device did not include advanced camera features such as video recording or a front-facing camera, aligning with its role as a straightforward and economical mobile device.

Network and Connectivity

The OT-206 supported GSM networks, specifically on the 900/1800 bands. However, it lacked GPRS and EDGE capabilities, meaning it did not offer data services over these networks. The device did not support Bluetooth or WLAN, and the miniUSB port was designated for charging purposes only. Despite these limitations, it included an FM radio feature with RDS, which allowed users to enjoy listening to music and news on the go.

Memory and Storage

The phone had limited internal storage, accommodating up to 100 entries in its phonebook. For call management, it maintained records for the last 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls. It did not offer support for external memory expansion via card slots, which was typical for basic feature phones of its time.

Battery Life

Powering the Alcatel OT-206 was a removable 650 mAh Li-Ion battery. The battery offered remarkable standby and talk times, with up to 400 hours on standby and up to 7 hours of talk time. This was an appealing feature for users requiring long battery life from their phones.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone included a loudspeaker for audio output but lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which was a common feature in many phones at that time. While advanced multimedia capabilities were absent, the availability of FM radio allowed users access to music and entertainment.

Additional Features

The Alcatel OT-206 supported basic SMS functionality but did not include an internet browser or support for mobile games, besides the two preloaded ones. It was not equipped with sensors or Java support, consistent with its role as a simplistic mobile communication device.

Price and Market Position

With a price around 30 EUR, the Alcatel OT-206 was positioned as an affordable option for consumers in need of reliable voice calling and messaging capabilities without the sophistication of modern smartphones. Its appeal lay in its simplicity and reliability, catering to a demographic that valued these attributes.