Alcatel OT355 Comprehensive Review & Pricing

Overview

The Alcatel OT-355 is a feature phone that was released in March 2011. It represents a class of phones that were prevalent before the widespread adoption of smartphones. Despite its limited capabilities compared to modern devices, it served as an essential communication tool for many during its time. With its compact design, QWERTY keyboard, and basic multimedia features, it caters to users who desired a simple, reliable phone primarily for calls and texts.

Design and Build Quality

The Alcatel OT-355 features a sturdy and compact design, measuring 103 x 58 x 12.1 mm and weighing a mere 80 grams. The lightweight build makes it an easy carry for daily activities. The device sports a classic candy bar design with a physical QWERTY keyboard, providing an efficient typing experience, particularly for SMS and emails. The phone is available in three appealing colors: Silver, Cherry Red, and Cyber Blue, allowing users to choose according to their preference. The use of durable materials in its construction ensures longevity and resistance to the wear and tear of daily use.

Display

Equipped with a 1.8-inch TFT display, the Alcatel OT-355 offers a modest viewing experience. With a screen resolution of 160 x 128 pixels and a density of approximately 114 ppi, the display is sufficient for basic tasks like reading texts and navigating the phone’s menu. The screen-to-body ratio is about 17.1%, emphasizing its compact size. Although it doesn't support high-definition visuals or vibrant colors, it is adequate for the phone’s intended purpose.

Performance

At the heart of the Alcatel OT-355 is a 52 MHz processor. As a feature phone, it doesn't require the powerful processing capabilities demanded by smartphones running complex applications. The device excels in performing simple tasks such as making calls, sending texts, and accessing basic settings with relative ease. The presence of a QWERTY keyboard aids in text-based communications, providing an edge over traditional numeric keypads in terms of speed and comfort.

Memory and Storage

The OT-355 comes with a limited internal memory capacity of 0.7MB. This is sufficient for saving a few contact details and call records, but not adequate for multimedia storage. To compensate, the device includes a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to expand the storage for additional data. While the phone’s memory capability might seem considerably low by current standards, it sufficed for its primary function as a communication device in its prime era.

Camera

Photography is not a strong suit of the Alcatel OT-355. It possesses a basic VGA camera with a resolution of 0.3MP. The camera is designed for casual snapshots rather than high-quality images. It does not support video recording, limiting its utility as a multimedia phone, but for users looking for a basic handset with a simple camera option, this model served the purpose.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery. Despite its small capacity, the battery life is quite commendable, due to the phone's minimal power requirements. Users could expect up to 450 hours of standby time and approximately 9 hours of talk time. Additionally, the device supports up to 17 hours of music playback, which is impressive for such a modest battery size, catering well to users who value longevity over high performance.

Network and Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Alcatel OT-355 is equipped with standard GSM technology supporting 2G bands (GSM 850 / 1900). It also supports GPRS class 10 but lacks EDGE. The focus here is purely on basic connectivity for communication purposes. The phone does not come with more advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth or WLAN, which reinforces its status as an essential feature phone. For audio entertainment, an FM radio with RDS is included, offering users the option to listen to music and news broadcasts on the go. Connectivity is limited to a miniUSB port, which is used solely for charging purposes.

Additional Features

Despite being a feature phone, the Alcatel OT-355 includes several interesting features that add to its utility. It offers basic messaging services like SMS, MMS, and Email. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser enables rudimentary internet access, though it's not designed for extensive web browsing. Additionally, the phone includes a few pre-installed games, adding a bit of entertainment value. The lack of Java support limits third-party application development, but this falls in line with its target market of consumers looking for basic functionalities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alcatel OT-355 is a testament to the era of feature phones, providing users with essential communication tools wrapped in a compact and durable design. It is a perfect choice for individuals who need a reliable and straightforward device for calling, texting, and occasional multimedia listening. While it may appear outdated by modern smartphone standards, its simplicity and efficient performance hold a nostalgic charm and represent a significant phase in mobile technology evolution.