Alcatel Pop 3 5 Comprehensive Review Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview

The Alcatel Pop 3 (5) is a smartphone that was released in the fourth quarter of 2015. Known for its affordability and basic functionality, it was designed to cater to users seeking essential smartphone experiences without breaking the bank. Although it has been discontinued, it remains a reference point for budget smartphones of its era, boasting simple yet functional features that catered to a wide range of users.

Design and Build

The Alcatel Pop 3 (5) has a straightforward and minimalistic design. The phone’s dimensions are 141 x 71.5 x 9.9 mm, providing a compact and manageable size that fits comfortably in the hand. Despite its plastic build, it has a robust feel with a weight of 167 g. The device is offered in three colors: Black, Silver, and Gold, allowing users a selection based on personal preference. It supports both Single SIM (Micro-SIM) and Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) options, adding flexibility for users who require separate lines for different purposes.

Display

The Pop 3 (5) is equipped with a 5.0-inch TFT display. It has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 68.3%, offering a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels with a pixel density of around 196 ppi. While the screen's resolution and clarity are not on par with high-end smartphones, it provides adequate visual performance for basic tasks such as web browsing, social media interaction, and media consumption.

Camera

For photography enthusiasts, the Alcatel Pop 3 (5) offers a primary camera with either 5 MP or 8 MP options, featuring autofocus, LED flash, HDR, and panorama capabilities. The camera is capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps, which is decent for capturing everyday moments. On the front, users can choose between a 5 MP or 2 MP selfie camera – sufficient for video calls and casual selfies, but lacking the quality seen in more advanced smartphone cameras.

Performance

Under the hood, the device is powered by a quad-core CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz or 1.1 GHz, paired with 1GB of RAM. While this configuration is quite modest by modern standards, it is suitable for performing essential smartphone tasks such as calling, texting, and light app usage. The Alcatel Pop 3 (5) runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, providing users with a user-friendly interface and access to Google's wide range of apps.

Storage

Storage on the Pop 3 (5) is limited to 8GB, which can quickly fill up with apps, photos, and videos. However, it includes a dedicated microSDXC card slot for expandable storage, allowing users to increase the capacity and store more media and applications as needed.

Battery Life

The smartphone is equipped with a removable Li-Ion battery rated at either 2000 mAh or 1800 mAh. While the battery capacity is on the lower side, it is generally sufficient for a full day of moderate use, thanks to the device's less demanding hardware and smaller screen size compared to modern smartphones.

Connectivity

The Alcatel Pop 3 (5) supports a range of connectivity features including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with support for Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot capabilities. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP provides wireless connectivity for peripherals and other Bluetooth devices. The device includes GPS for location services. However, it does not support NFC and radio, which may limit its appeal to users who rely on these features. It also includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Network and Data

The device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. This includes 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900), 3G bands (HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100), and 4G LTE bands (1, 3, 7, 8, 20) providing wide-ranging coverage and data speeds up to HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps.

Sensors and Features

The phone's sensor suite is minimal, consisting mainly of an accelerometer. This limits its functionality in terms of motion tracking and more advanced applications that rely on additional sensors like gyroscopes or magnetometers.

Conclusion

Overall, the Alcatel Pop 3 (5) offers a functional yet basic experience suitable for those needing a cost-effective entry into the smartphone world. It delivers essential features with acceptable performance for basic tasks. Users looking for a smartphone for basic day-to-day functionality, such as sending messages, browsing the internet, and occasional media use, might find this device sufficient for their needs back in the day. However, in today's market, this phone is best suited as a backup device or for users who have minimal requirements from their smartphone.