Alcatel OT983 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-983 bears a modest design typical of early 2010s smartphones. With dimensions of 114.5 x 61 x 12.5 mm and a weight of 136 grams, the device is compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and fit comfortably in one hand. The chassis is constructed from durable plastic, offering a sturdy build without adding unnecessary heft. The device is available in two color variants: Black and Cherry red, giving users a choice to select a style that suits their preferences. The front of the device features a 3.5-inch display, surrounded by noticeable bezels that were standard for devices during that period. The back houses a modest 3.15 MP camera, highlighting its focus on practicality over high-end features.

Display

Featuring a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, the Alcatel OT-983 offers approximately 165 pixels per inch, providing a basic visual experience. While not high-definition, the screen is sufficient for everyday tasks such as browsing, reading texts, and light gaming. The screen-to-body ratio of around 52.2% is low by modern standards, but it was a common characteristic of smartphones from this era. The display supports 256K colors, providing decent color reproduction for images and videos, albeit lacking the vibrancy of more advanced LCD or AMOLED displays.

Performance and Hardware

The Alcatel OT-983 is powered by a 1.0 GHz CPU coupled with a Broadcom BCM 21552G chipset. This combination provides enough processing power for basic smartphone functionalities, including calling, texting, browsing, and running simple applications. With 512MB of RAM, the device is not equipped for heavy multitasking or running resource-intensive applications. The Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system allows users access to a wide range of apps from the Google Play Store, albeit limited to versions compatible with this older Android version. Internal storage is limited to 512MB; however, users can expand storage up to 32GB using a microSDHC card, which is essential for those who wish to store more multimedia content.

Camera

The Alcatel OT-983 features a single rear camera with a 3.15 MP sensor. This basic camera setup is capable of capturing standard-quality images, suitable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The camera supports video recording at 480p at 15 frames per second, which provides basic video capturing capabilities but lacks the sharpness and fluidity of modern standards. The absence of features like autofocus or a front-facing camera highlights the device's focus on delivering simple and straightforward photography tools.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery, the Alcatel OT-983 offers relatively good battery life for its category. Users can expect up to 500 hours of standby time, 20 hours of talk time on 2G networks, 6 hours on 3G networks, and up to 30 hours of music playback. While the battery capacity may seem modest by modern standards, it is sufficient for sustaining the limited processing and display power of the phone across a typical day for basic use. The removable nature of the battery also allows users to carry a spare if extended usage is required.

Connectivity and Network

The Alcatel OT-983 supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, providing basic connectivity for voice and data services. It supports 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100), with data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSPA. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless internet access, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP for pairing with other devices, GPS for navigation services, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging. Additionally, it comes with a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing access to traditional radio broadcasts.

Additional Features

The Alcatel OT-983 comes with a set of basic sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which support basic app functionalities like screen rotation, call management, and navigation applications. The presence of a 3.5mm audio jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio headsets, while the integrated loudspeaker delivers adequate audio output for calls and media playback. Absent features include NFC and advanced biometrics, which were not commonplace in entry-level smartphones during its release period.

Conclusion

Overall, the Alcatel OT-983 is a smartphone that caters to users seeking essential mobile functionalities at an affordable price point. Its simple design, adequate performance for basic tasks, and sufficient battery life make it suitable for first-time smartphone users or those requiring a reliable secondary mobile device. While modern users may find its features outdated, it serves as a reminder of the progressive evolution in mobile technology and its increasing accessibility over the past decade. With a starting price of approximately 50 EUR at launch, it represents good value for money within its segment, albeit with inevitable limitations by today's technological standards.