Alcatel OT903 Comprehensive Review & Key Features

General Overview of Alcatel One Touch 903

Alcatel One Touch 903 is a budget-friendly, entry-level smartphone that was first announced and released in August 2012. Designed to cater to users seeking a simple smartphone experience, the device provides essential features and basic functionality. Despite being discontinued, it remains a point of interest for those exploring older technology or budget mobile options.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, ensuring decent connectivity options for both 2G and 3G bands. Its 2G compatibility includes GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, while the 3G support covers HSDPA 900 and 2100 MHz bands. Users can enjoy moderate speed with HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps, sufficient for basic internet browsing and communication tasks at the time of its release.

Device Design and Build

The Alcatel One Touch 903 features a compact and lightweight design, with dimensions of 110 x 57.6 x 12.5 mm and a weight of 114 g. Its portability makes it comfortable to carry and use with one hand. The device offers two SIM options: a Single SIM or Dual SIM, both using Mini-SIM format, enhancing its usability for individuals managing two phone numbers simultaneously.

Display Characteristics

A 2.8-inch TFT display with 256K colors serves as the focal point of the Alcatel OT-903. With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi, the screen provides basic clarity suitable for viewing messages, making calls, and other fundamental operations. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 38.3% reflects its compact design, making it functional rather than striking.

Hardware and Performance

Internally, the phone is equipped with a Mediatek MT6573 chipset built on a 65 nm manufacturing process, featuring a 650 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. This configuration supports fundamental smartphone usage but is quite limited by today's standards. Its performance caters well to users seeking essential functions without the pressure of handling resource-intensive applications.

Memory and Storage

The device is notably constrained in its memory capacity, offering only 150MB of internal storage. Recognizing this limitation, Alcatel included a microSDHC card slot for memory expansion, allowing users to maximize storage capabilities by adding more memory for applications, music, and photos. However, the lack of RAM specification indicates that multitasking should be approached cautiously.

Camera Capabilities

The Alcatel One Touch 903 features a single 2 MP main camera. While it supports video recording, the camera quality is straightforward and intended for casual photography rather than professional-grade images. The absence of a front-facing camera limits the device's appeal to users interested in video calls or selfies.

Audio and Sound Features

The phone includes a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm audio jack, allowing users to connect to headphones or external audio systems. These sound options were typical of the smartphones from that era, focusing on convenience and compatibility with a wide array of audio accessories.

Communications and Technological Features

Alcatel OT-903 features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP for wireless connectivity, GPS, and A-GPS for positioning, stereo FM with RDS for radio broadcasting, and microUSB 2.0 for wired connections. These features, though basic, ensure essential connectivity and utility.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device is equipped with an accelerometer and proximity sensor. Though limited compared to modern smartphones, these sensors enhance user interaction and provide fundamental functionalities, such as automatic rotation of the display and detection of nearby objects to conserve battery life while on a call.

Battery Life and Performance

A removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery powers the device, offering stand-by time of up to 300 hours on both 2G and 3G networks. Talk time is up to 11 hours on 2G and 6 hours 30 minutes on 3G, which meets the standard expectations for economic smartphones from that time.

Color Options and Pricing

The Alcatel OT-903 was available in multiple colors, including Black, Pure White, Fuschia, and Cherry Red, offering users some variety in personalizing their device. At its release, the pricing was competitive, approximately 50 EUR, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking affordability and basic smartphone functionality.

Conclusion

The Alcatel One Touch 903, despite its discontinuation, holds a legacy as a basic entry-level smartphone providing essential features. While its specifications are modest by today’s standards, for its time, it catered effectively to the needs of the budget-conscious consumer and those new to smartphone technology. Its compact design, combined with basic connectivity and adequate performance for simple tasks, made it a considerable choice for its targeted demographic.