Alcatel OT991 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Alcatel OT-991

The Alcatel OT-991, released in 2012, marked an era where smartphones were starting to become more accessible to the mass market. Despite being an entry-level smartphone, it came equipped with a range of features that provided solid functionality for users looking for basic smartphone capabilities.

Design and Build

The design of the Alcatel OT-991 is straightforward yet functional. The device measures 122 x 68 x 10.8 mm and weighs 131.3 grams, making it compact enough to fit comfortably in the hand or pocket. Its simple design is complemented by a plastic body, with options for colors in black and white. The device uses a Mini-SIM card, which was common in that era for smartphones.

Display

The Alcatel OT-991 features a 4.0-inch TFT display. This screen size was considered standard for entry-level smartphones at the time, with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 57.4%. With a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels and a pixel density of roughly 144 ppi, the display provided basic clarity and color reproduction suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing the web or viewing photos and videos.

Hardware and Performance

Powering the Alcatel OT-991 is the Mediatek MT6573 chipset paired with an 800 MHz Cortex-A9 processor and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. While not designed for heavy multitasking or demanding applications, this configuration was adequate for basic smartphone operations including social media, casual gaming, and internet browsing. The device included 150MB of internal storage, supplemented by a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand storage for additional apps and media files.

Operating System

The smartphone runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which, at the time of release, was a widely used version of Android. It provided access to the Android Market (now Google Play Store) and supported a myriad of apps compatible with the OS version.

Camera

Equipped with a 3.15 MP main camera, the Alcatel OT-991 includes an LED flash option, enhancing its ability to take photos in various lighting conditions. Although basic by today’s standards, the camera sufficed for capturing everyday moments. Video recording is supported, although it shouldn’t be expected to perform at high resolutions. A front-facing camera is present, strategically positioning this smartphone as a tool for early video calling and selfies.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which delivered respectable standby and talk time for the period. Up to 400 hours of standby time and up to 10 hours of talk time on 3G made the OT-991 suitable for users who required consistent daily performance without frequent recharges.

Connectivity

The Alcatel OT-991 supported GSM and HSPA network technologies, with the ability to connect to both 2G and 3G bands. Moreover, connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with a hotspot feature, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, and microUSB 2.0, providing various means for data transfer and connectivity. For navigation, it supported GPS and A-GPS, enhancing its usability as a travel companion.

Additional Features

The smartphone came with stereo FM radio with RDS, a popular feature at the time for entertainment and news on-the-go. The 3.5mm headphone jack remained a crucial feature for audio connectivity, valuable for media consumption. Sensors included an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, optimizing the device for various interactive applications.

Price and Conclusion

Initially priced around 130 EUR, the Alcatel OT-991 was positioned as an affordable entry-level smartphone suitable for budget-conscious consumers seeking essential smartphone capabilities without premium costs. While modern devices have significantly advanced beyond this model, the OT-991 provided a valuable stepping stone for users transitioning from feature phones to smartphones.