Alcatel OTE227 InDepth Review with Specs Prices & More

Introduction to the Alcatel OT-E227

The Alcatel OT-E227 was a feature phone launched in February 2007, tailored for those who sought a basic mobile phone for essential tasks. During its time, it was an emblem of simplicity and utility, catering to users who were primarily interested in calling and texting services without the additional complexities of smartphones. As mobile technology was burgeoning, such devices occupied a niche market segment where practicality overshadowed advanced features.

Design and Build

The design of the Alcatel OT-E227 is compact and user-friendly, featuring a small body with dimensions of 87 x 45 x 21 mm and a weight of 70 grams. The phone can easily fit into a pocket, making it highly portable. The build quality was robust for its time, designed to withstand the daily wear and tear, common for devices meant for extensive outdoor use. The phone utilized a Mini-SIM card format, which was standard at the time.

Display Features

The phone comes equipped with a 1.5-inch TFT display, offering 65K colors. The screen's resolution stands at 128 x 128 pixels, making it suitable for basic navigation and reading text. Given its ~18.5% screen-to-body ratio, the display was not designed for media consumption but was adequate for its primary purpose of communication.

Network and Communications

The Alcatel OT-E227 operates on GSM technology, covering the 900/1800 bands, which were widespread in many regions during its release. The absence of GPRS and EDGE indicates its limitations to voice calls and SMS text messaging, without capabilities for mobile data or internet browsing. This aligns with its positioning as a no-frills communication device.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, providing up to 325 hours of standby time and up to 10 hours of talk time. This considerable battery life, by modern standards, highlights its efficiency despite the small battery capacity. It reflects the low power consumption of feature phones due to their limited functionalities compared to smartphones.

Memory and Phonebook

The phone does not have a slot for external memory cards but compensates with the inclusion of a basic phonebook capable of storing up to 250 entries. Its call log functionality supports tracking the last 10 dialed, received, and missed calls, helping users manage their communications effectively without any complex storage requirements.

Sound and Alerts

The sound system in the Alcatel OT-E227 is basic but sufficient for its purposes. It does not include a loudspeaker, but it offers vibration alerts and supports polyphonic ringtones with up to 16 tones. The lack of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack limits personalized audio experiences, aligning with its fundamental design ethos.

Additional Features and Software

As a feature phone, the Alcatel OT-E227 lacks many modern smartphone functions but covers essentials. Messaging is limited to SMS, with no built-in browser or advanced communication apps. The phone comes with two pre-installed games, providing minimal entertainment options. The absence of Java support indicates no ability to expand functionality with third-party applications. It's worth noting that the phone does not house any sensors or a camera, emphasizing its core functionality focus.

Connectivity

The phone does not support WLAN, Bluetooth, or any positioning technology such as GPS. It offers no radio features, and the USB connection is proprietary, which was common in many phones released during this period. This limits peripheral accessory compatibility and external connectivity, undeniably marking it as an entry-level mobile device.

Launch and Availability

Announced in February 2007, the Alcatel OT-E227 was later discontinued, in line with the technological advancements that have since revolutionized the mobile industry. Upon its release, it was available in light brown color, catering to users who preferred simplistic aesthetics combined with practical use.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-E227 stands as a testament to an era focused on fundamental communication needs. Its minimalistic feature set contrasts sharply with the modern smartphone, yet offers insight into user priorities before mobile phones became integrated multifunctional devices. While it lacks many features current users take for granted, it remains a quintessential example of early mobile technology, valued for its purposefulness and straightforward application.