Alcatel OT908 Unveiled Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview

The Alcatel OT-908 is a smartphone that was introduced in February 2011 and was released in June of the same year. Although now discontinued, it remains a device of interest for those who wish to explore the evolution of smartphone technology in the early 2010s. It ran on the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and provided several features and capabilities that were considered standard at the time.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-908 comes with a compact form factor, featuring dimensions of 110 x 57.4 x 12.4 mm, making it easy to handle with one hand. Weighing just 120 grams, it is lightweight and portable. The device was available in three color options: Mystery pink, Bluish black, and Spicy red, catering to different user preferences. It used a Mini-SIM card and had a removable back cover for battery and SIM card access. Despite its plastic build, it was reasonably durable for everyday use.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors. The screen has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with an approximate pixel density of 143 ppi. The display size and resolution might seem modest by current standards, but it was acceptable for basic tasks such as calling, messaging, and occasional web browsing.

Hardware and Performance

Powering the Alcatel OT-908 is a 600 MHz processor, which was typical for low-end smartphones during that time period. The device had 150MB of internal storage, which was not much, but it could be expanded using the dedicated microSDHC slot, with a 2 GB card included in the package. The modest storage capacity meant that users had to manage their apps, photos, and media carefully. Although the device's RAM is unspecified, it is safe to assume it was quite limited, affecting multitasking and performance.

Operating System

The Alcatel OT-908 runs on the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system. This version of Android introduced features such as Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities and improvements in performance and user interface. While Froyo is now outdated, it allowed users to access basic Android functionalities and apps from the Play Store during the device's lifespan.

Camera

On the rear, the Alcatel OT-908 houses a 2-megapixel camera, which supports video recording. This camera was suitable for capturing casual photos and videos. However, it lacked a front-facing camera for selfies, which was common in devices from that era.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery. It offers up to 550 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time, which is fairly decent for a phone of its size and capacity. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to replace it easily when needed, extending the overall longevity of the device.

Connectivity and Network

The Alcatel OT-908 supports GSM and HSPA networks, with 2G bands including GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and 3G bands including HSDPA 900/2100. It provides a maximum speed of HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps. The phone comes with standard connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, and stereo FM radio with RDS. It also includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features

In terms of sensors, the Alcatel OT-908 comes with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enabled basic functionalities such as screen auto-rotation and improved user interaction. The device also has a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio connectivity and supports loudspeaker functionality for media playback and hands-free calls.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-908 is a representation of the transition phase in smartphone technology from feature phones to more advanced smart devices. While its specifications may seem basic today, it provided a cost-effective solution for users looking for smartphone capabilities in the early 2010s. It aimed to deliver essential features such as internet connectivity, app access, and multimedia functions within a compact and affordable package. While newer smartphones have far surpassed the capabilities of the OT-908, it remains a nostalgic piece of technology reflecting the rapid evolution of mobile devices.