Alcatel OT891 Soul Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Alcatel OT-891 Soul

The Alcatel OT-891 Soul, announced in February 2011 and released in the third quarter of the same year, is a smartphone that showcases the technology of its time. Discontinued now, it was a device that catered to the basic smartphone needs of users. With its compact design and essential functionalities, it offered users a window into the world of smartphones in the early 2010s. The following sections provide a detailed look at the specifications and features that defined the Alcatel OT-891 Soul.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-891 Soul boasts a lightweight design, weighing only 100 grams. It has a slim profile with dimensions of 105 x 58 x 12.6 mm, making it easy to carry in a pocket or small bag. The device features a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen that supports 256K colors, providing a basic visual experience suitable for its time. Although the screen-to-body ratio is about 39.9%, the design focused on durability and portability, essential for frequent handling.

Display

The display on the Alcatel OT-891 Soul measures 2.8 inches with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, and a 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. The resistive touchscreen technology allowed users to navigate the Android 2.1 (Eclair) operating system, although it required a bit more pressure compared to today’s capacitive touchscreens. Despite the limitations in resolution, the display was adequate for basic tasks like browsing the web, reading texts, and handling simple applications.

Performance and Operating System

Under the hood, the Alcatel OT-891 Soul is powered by a Mediatek MT6516 chipset, incorporating a 420 MHz processor. While considered modest by today’s standards, it provided enough processing power for the essential functions of the Android 2.1 operating system. The device's performance sufficed for basic smartphone operations, including making calls, sending messages, and running light applications.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 150 MB of internal storage and includes a dedicated microSDHC card slot for expandable storage, providing flexibility for users to store additional data such as photos, music, and other files. The storage solution was typical of entry-level smartphones of the era, making it manageable for users with moderate usage needs.

Camera Capabilities

The Alcatel OT-891 Soul features a single 2 MP main camera, capable of capturing simple images and videos. While it does not come with advanced features found in modern cameras, it served well for casual photography, capturing moments with reasonable clarity under good lighting conditions. There is no front-facing camera, reflecting the device’s focus during a time when selfies were not as prevalent.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, the Alcatel OT-891 Soul offered utility and convenience. It delivered up to 200 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time, supporting daily communication requirements efficiently. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to easily replace it, providing increased longevity for the device.

Connectivity and Network

Network

The Alcatel OT-891 Soul supported GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 2100 bands, offering connectivity through 2G and 3G networks. Although these are not as fast or reliable as modern 4G and 5G networks, they were standard during the time of its release.

Additional Connectivity Features

The device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS for wireless connectivity and navigation services. It also features a stereo FM radio with RDS and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging, catering to the user’s basic connectivity and multimedia needs.

Additional Features

The Alcatel OT-891 Soul is equipped with sensors such as an accelerometer and a compass, aiding in various applications that required motion detection and direction. The device runs on a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser and supports HTML, allowing users to browse the internet with limited capabilities in comparison to modern smartphones.

Sound and Multimedia

This smartphone provides a satisfactory sound experience with a loudspeaker for media playback and a 3.5mm audio jack, enabling users to connect earphones or headphones. Its multimedia capabilities were basic yet functional for listening to music, watching videos, or making calls.

Conclusion

In summary, the Alcatel OT-891 Soul was a device that catered to entry-level smartphone users in 2011. Its specifications, such as a modest camera, expandable storage, and essential connectivity features, reflected the tech landscape of its time. While it may not stand up to current smartphones in terms of power and functionality, it remains a notable piece of tech history, illustrating the progress in mobile technology over the years.