Alcatel Pixi 4 4 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) is a budget-friendly smartphone that attempts to offer essential smartphone features in a compact and affordable package. Released in Q3 of 2016, it was positioned as an entry-level phone designed for those looking for basic functionality without breaking the bank. Despite its modest specifications, it provides sufficient features for users seeking a straightforward mobile experience.

Design and Build

The Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) features a compact design with dimensions of 121.3 x 64.4 x 9.7 mm, making it easy to handle with one hand. The weight details are unspecified, but it’s generally regarded as lightweight. The phone supports a micro-SIM card and, in terms of aesthetics, is available in colors like Black and Orange, appealing to those who prefer simple, vibrant designs. Its plastic construction is typical for budget devices, balancing robustness with cost-effectiveness.

Display

Sporting a 4.0-inch TFT display, the Pixi 4 (4) offers a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi, providing a basic display quality suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing and messaging. While it may not compete with higher-end devices in terms of clarity and color reproduction, the display is functional for its price range.

Performance

Under the hood, the Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) is powered by a Mediatek MT6580M chipset with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This setup, coupled with a Mali-400MP2 GPU, offers adequate performance for fundamental smartphone operations. It’s not designed for heavy multitasking or gaming but is sufficient for basic apps, social media, and light browsing. The device originally shipped with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), providing a relatively smooth user interface within the limitations of its hardware.

Storage and Memory

The device comes with two storage configurations: 4GB with 512MB RAM and 8GB with 1GB RAM. For users requiring additional storage, a dedicated microSDHC slot is available, allowing expansion and making it versatile for storing more data or apps, which is crucial given its limited internal storage capacity.

Camera

The Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) is equipped with a single main camera, available in either a 2 MP or 5 MP variant, and complements it with an LED flash. It supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, which is quite remarkable for an entry-level handset. For selfies, it provides a VGA or 2 MP front camera option. While the camera experience might not compete with higher-end devices, it offers basic functionality for casual photography needs.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, the Pixi 4 (4) delivers a reasonable battery performance for its class. It promises up to 520 hours of standby time on 2G and up to 500 hours on 3G networks. For talk time, users can expect around 10 hours on 2G and about 7 hours and 20 minutes on 3G, which is sufficient for a day’s worth of light to moderate use.

Connectivity and Features

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technologies with speeds up to 21.1/5.76 Mbps. For connectivity, it features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct support, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS for positioning, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It lacks NFC capabilities but includes an FM radio. Additionally, a 3.5mm jack is present for audio connectivity.

Sensors

In terms of sensors, the Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) includes an accelerometer, which supports basic motion-based activities and functionalities in various apps.

Miscellaneous

The model numbers for this device include 4034X, 4034G, 4034F, 4034D, 4034A, and 4034E. The price at launch was approximately 60 EUR, positioning it squarely in the budget segment, which is its primary audience.

Conclusion

The Alcatel Pixi 4 (4) is a solid choice for users looking for a very affordable smartphone option that still covers the basics of mobile functionality. Its simple design, basic camera, and reasonable battery life make it suitable for first-time smartphone users or those requiring a secondary phone for basic use. While it does not offer high-end performance or features, it remains an accessible option for many users globally.