Introduction to the Alcatel OT-890

The Alcatel OT-890 is a smartphone that was announced in February 2011 and released in May of the same year. Despite being discontinued, it remains a notable device for many due to its unique features at the time, particularly catering to entry-level smartphone users. Priced around 80 EUR, it offered basic functionalities suited for first-time smartphone users, providing them access to essential mobile capabilities without the hefty price tag.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-890 features a compact design with dimensions of 110 x 58 x 12.6 mm and a weight of 100.7 grams, making it a lightweight option compared to many other smartphones. The device comes with a Mini-SIM slot, reflecting the common technology of the era. Its body is designed with a focus on simplicity and practicality, suitable for those looking for easy handling and portability.

In terms of aesthetics, the OT-890 was available in three colors: Steel Grey, Fuchsia, and Electric Orange. This variety allowed users to express their personal style while choosing a model that best matched their taste.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, offering 256K colors. Although the screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 38.1%, it was quite standard for early smartphones of this size. With a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a density of ~143 ppi, the display offered a basic visual experience, suitable for simple tasks such as browsing and app interaction.

Performance

Powered by the Mediatek MT6516 chipset and a 420 MHz CPU, the Alcatel OT-890 was not designed for heavy tasks but catered well to basic smartphone functionalities. The device originally ran on Android 2.1 Eclair, providing access to various apps and Android features available at that time.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage capacity of the OT-890 is 150MB, which was adequate for storing basic apps, contacts, and necessary files. However, understanding the need for expanded storage options, Alcatel included a dedicated microSDHC slot, with 2 GB storage initially provided, allowing users to increase the storage capacity as needed.

Camera

For photography and video, the Alcatel OT-890 comes with a single 2 MP main camera. Although it does not feature a selfie camera, the main camera was capable of capturing basic images and videos, providing functionalities that were satisfactory for users at that time.

Sound and Connectivity

The device includes basic sound features such as a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy music and calls conveniently. Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for internet access, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless communication, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It also supported GPS and A-GPS for navigation, along with a stereo FM radio with RDS, catering to users who enjoy listening to traditional radio broadcasts.

Sensors and Features

In terms of sensors, the Alcatel OT-890 includes an accelerometer and a compass. The browser technology supported includes WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, providing users with the basic capability of browsing the internet effectively at that time.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. It offers a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours, which was reasonable for an entry-level smartphone of its era. Additionally, it could provide up to 17 hours of music play, appealing to music enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-890 represented a basic but functional choice for early smartphone adopters. With its affordable price and essential features, it served as a gateway to the smartphone world for many users. While it may not keep up with modern smartphone standards, it reflects an important step in the evolution of mobile phones, providing an accessible option for those seeking straightforward and practical mobile technology.