Alcatel OneTouch Idol X - Specifications. Smartphone Alcatel One Touch Idol X: description, characteristics, reviews New Alcatel one touch idol x

All the delight of users about the appearance Alcatel One Touch IDOL X has already settled down, now we need new experiences. They are promptly provided by the Chinese company TCL, which produces devices under the Alcatel brand. In January 2014, it announced the release of a new flagship - Alcatel OneTouch IDOL X+, which received high marks at the exhibition in Los Angeles.

Since this model has not yet appeared in stores in Russia, it is difficult to say exactly what its packaging will be like. However, with a high degree of probability we can assume that it will not differ from the packaging of its older brothers: a white box on which the device is depicted and modest inscriptions.

The configuration will most likely not surprise you either. But in addition to the standard set, the manufacturers decided to offer a special Boom Band fitness bracelet, which is designed to track the owner’s physical activity and his sleep phases. All this (by transmitting data via Bluetooth) is analyzed using a special application on a smartphone. In addition, the bracelet will record the user's removal from the device and also report new notifications.

Externally Alcatel One Touch Idol X+, of course, is similar to its popular predecessor, but due to the fact that X+ has a more capacious battery, its thickness is slightly greater than that of X. The back cover is glossy, the ends are made of metal.

Time will tell what body colors will be presented on the Russian market, but we can already say that there should be more than 2 of them.

The device fits nicely in the hand, as its body has a streamlined shape and rounded corners. At the bottom there is a slot for micro-USB and 2 earpiece speakers, at the top there is a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack and a power button. This device supports 2 SIM cards, the slot for one of them is on the left, for the second - on the right, in the same place as the volume.

In general, when they saw the smartphone at the exhibition in Los Angeles, everyone noted the 100% similarity between the TCL Idol X+ and the Alcatel One Touch Idol X+. Its screen characteristics are the same – 5 inches, Full HD IPS. The display occupies almost the entire front panel of the smartphone, the thickness of the frames is only 1.3 mm. It also has an anti-scratch coating and is easy to remove fingerprints from.

Brightness, contrast and viewing angles (more than 170 degrees) are as good as any device with such a display.

Its Androidness (Android Jelly Bean 4.2) is visible throughout its interface. 5 desktops that scroll horizontally, just like the application menu; below – 4 main icons; on desktops - the necessary widgets that can be installed at your discretion.

It will be possible to evaluate how quickly applications work very soon, but disappointments can hardly be expected, since at the heart of the device is an 8-core MediaTek processor with a frequency of 2 GHz. And 2 GB of RAM promise good performance.

The 13 megapixel camera with an optical stabilizer is launched through the application menu; there is no separate button to turn it on. Its settings are the same as in Idol X, and the test shots showed how good it is.

You will probably be able to enjoy the process of taking photos and videos a little longer than when using the Alcatel One Touch Idol X, simply because the battery capacity of the new product is 2500 mAh, which is significantly larger than that of the previous model. True, this led to the weight and thickening of the device, but these few grams and centimeters are unlikely to be noticed by those who will truly admire the phone.

Surprisingly, the price of the Alcatel One Touch IDOL X+, whose review shows it shouldn't be low, is now around $330 in China. And this is only 12,000 rubles. And if everything really is as the manufacturers promise, then this model will sell like hotcakes!

The smartphone is an interesting solution from a design point of view, has not the most advanced characteristics and an excellent camera. However, it is difficult to talk briefly about this device, since the manufacturer found something to surprise its buyer. When I first saw the packaging of the Alcatel One Touch Idol Alpha 6032X, I couldn’t help but exclaim: “Well, wow!” When I picked up the device itself, the pleasant surprise was repeated. However, later my head started going, “Hey, wait a minute!” and “It can’t be!”, and these were by no means positive exclamations. We read about all this and something else in our review today.

The name of the smartphone is so big that I didn’t even dare to add anything of my own to the title of this article. Here there is “one touch”, and “idol”, and “alpha” and even the letter “X”, which, as is customary, means something special. In my opinion, there are too many pretentious words for one title. However, the manufacturer did not stop at one name. Let's start with the configuration, fortunately there is something to talk about and show too.

Device kit

Idol Alpha's packaging is radically different from anything we've seen before. Usually, the manufacturer tries to save money on the box, trying to reduce its costs and, thereby, make the price of the device more attractive. Sasmung, for example, produces boxes for its devices from recycled materials. LG uses printing inks made from soy. Using the example of the latter, we see that here the manufacturer still has a chance to get into some fashionable rating of environmentally friendly companies. In the eyes of consumers, this is a definite plus. This is especially true for European countries, where the attitude towards ecology is of a slightly different order.

So, Idol Alpha crosses out all the principles outlined above and comes in a metal tube with appropriate markings. Down with savings and environmentally friendly production! But, you must admit, it looks cool! This “pipe” contains a special stand made of black velvet, in which the smartphone itself rests peacefully. The unpacking system is quite tricky, because all the components are hidden in a special compartment of this holder.

The device package consists of the following: microUSB cable, Charger, headset with call control button, 3.5 mm adapter! (more on this later) and a device for removing the SIM card.

The special clip for opening the SIM card tray is surprisingly reminiscent of the one from the iPhone. In general, the device itself clearly shows many similarities. It's clear where the designers drew inspiration from when developing the 6032X.

Design, materials and use

The appearance is even more impressive. The first thing that catches your eye is the transparent plastic inserts on the top and bottom. Smooth, pleasant to the touch, rounded plastic does not provide any additional functionality. This is just an external “decoration” that looks really cool. In addition, the inserts are illuminated by moonlight with any notification. This illumination looks especially impressive in the dark.

The logos of the system control keys are cut out on the bottom plastic. The first thing I did was try to click on them, but nothing happened. These are just symbols, and the touch keys themselves are located on a dark strip under the screen. The buttons are not marked in any way, so you have to press them somewhere here. There is no other way to express it. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not bother to somehow allocate touch areas for the keys. Subsequently, I repeatedly caught myself trying to press these labels printed on the plastic. It turns out that the lower part of the smartphone looks very decent, but the ergonomics are not fully thought out.

Along the entire contour of the device there is a metal edging, painted in the color of the body. Obviously, the manufacturer killed two birds with one stone: he brought the antenna to the external circuit, thereby saving on internal space, and made it one of the main features of the device’s appearance. This antenna implementation looks very good, but the idea is far from new. The style and performance are painfully familiar to us. If you haven't guessed it yet, everything will fall into place after a direct comparison of Idol Alpha and iPhone 5.

The screen is covered protective glass with oleophobic coating. Thanks to the special design, the body appears to be two-level: as if a small black smartphone is enclosed in a metal ring. An interesting solution from all points of view. Above the display there is a speaker grid, to the left of which there is a peephole front camera. To the right of the speaker there is a proximity sensor and a light sensor. The latter, by the way, works correctly, but with some delay: the change in the screen backlight returns to normal with the ambient light after about 5 seconds.

There are absolutely no elements on the top and bottom ends.

On the right side of the smartphone there are metal volume buttons and below is the power key. The button travel is clear and moderately soft.

The left side contains a tray for the operator’s card, which, by the way, is made of a slightly different material and this is noticeable against the background of the monochromatic edge of the phone. At the very bottom there is a microUSB port. And then I couldn’t believe my eyes. I twirled my smartphone again and it turned out to be true.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Alpha 6032X does not have a 3.5 mm hole for connecting headphones!

It was a shock for me. In my memory, it’s been about 5 years since almost everyone (even Sony a little later) abandoned their proprietary ports and began to build an audio output into their devices for connecting third-party headphones. And now, in 2014, when all devices have a certain gentlemanly set of options (own shell over the OS, microUSB input, USB-Host, 3.5 mm jack for connecting third-party headsets), Alcatel is releasing one of its best devices, which turns out to be missing one leg.

For the sake of at least some convenience, the company included an adapter from microUSB to a 3.5 mm jack in the kit. Thank you, of course, but this crutch is far from the same as the initially available ability to connect any headphones. The adapter can be forgotten, broken, lost, and so on. And buying a replacement is now relatively difficult, since even budget models have a standard audio output. No demand - no supply. Is it possible to order through Ebay.com and wait about a month for the parcel, involuntarily giving up listening to music on your phone for this period.

By the way, not a single flash drive could be connected to the smartphone, since he thought that an audio headset had been inserted into it.

From here the conclusion arises that OTG mode is not supported.

And this, by the way, is one of the main advantages of the entire Android system. In general, the developers have done something clever here.

Since we are talking about the shortcomings of the device, it is worth mentioning that the main speaker is located on back cover. If the Idol Alpha 6032X is lying on a flat surface with the screen facing up, the sound is noticeably muffled. If you hold the device in your hand, the sound is muffled. If the smartphone is in your bag or in the front pocket of your trousers, then forget about any audibility of the ringtone or other notification. Of course, the arrangement of the components of any device in the case that the designers have drawn is a very complex engineering task. And any user should understand this. Probably, someday the day will come when manufacturing companies will try their best to meet their consumers halfway and put the convenience and experience of using their products at the forefront. We all already know an example of a company where such an ideology rules everything.

The transparent insert with control button emblems has a recess for the first microphone. The second is located on the back, not far from the rear camera eye and LED flash.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Alpha 6032X is a very thin (7.5 mm), light (117 g) and ergonomic smartphone. Using the device is a pleasure. All controls are in convenient places and you don’t need to grab the phone to reach any button. In a trouser or jeans pocket it is almost invisible.

Along with excellent appearance, interesting colors (two options are available: dark blue and beige), proven ergonomics - Idol Alpha 6032X really makes a very positive impression.

Yes, there are shortcomings, but there is no ideal, especially for a price of 13,990 rubles.

At the end of this section, I propose to compare the dimensions of the Idol Alpha 6032X with its closest competitors.

Display

The display reproduces colors perfectly thanks to the base used IPS matrix. With a diagonal of 4.7 inches and a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, viewing angles remain maximum. I propose to compare the color rendition of the smartphone with the iPhone 5 (the one on top) in the photographs below.

If there are no issues with the image display display, then with regards to sensitivity, everything is not so simple. Up to 10 simultaneous touches are supported, that is, a full-fledged Multitouch. During use, it turned out that the screen sensor does not always respond to touches. This is especially noticeable when surfing the Internet, when you need to click on some small link. For example, the hero of our previous review, LG G Flex, has a display with very good sensitivity: at times it is not even clear whether you touched the surface or not, but the smartphone has already reacted. You shouldn't expect such sensitivity from the Idol Alpha 6032X, and this can be attributed to its disadvantages.

In addition, the corners of the picture display are not beveled, despite the fact that the phone itself has a rather rounded shape. Again, let's return to the iOS interface, where there are no right angles - everything adheres to the general concept. The example below shows what we are talking about. And although most users will not notice this, there are still bores like me who will pay attention to this.

Specifications and productivity

• MediaTek MT6589 processor (4 cores) with a frequency of 1.2 GHz
• PowerVR SGX 544MP video chip
• RAM 1 GB
• 16 GB data storage memory (12.64 GB actually available)
• display 4.7" IPS screen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels
• camera 13.1 megapixels (main) with LED flash, 1.3 megapixels (front)
• Sensors: proximity sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic compass
• supported music formats WAV, MP3, MP2, AMR, MIDI, Vorbis, APE, AAC, AAC+, FLAC, WMA
• FM radio
• battery 2,000 mAh
• operating room Android system Jelly Bean 4.2.2

Networks and connections:

• quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900), UMTS 900/2100 (6032X)
• HSPA: DC-HSPA+
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Wi-Fi direct, Wi-Fi Display, DLNABluetooth 4.0
• GPS with A-GPS technology
• Micro USB 2.0
• microSIM standard

As you can see, the smartphone is equipped with a processor from MediaTek, which provides sufficient performance for most tasks.

However, the proprietary shell sometimes has twitches and barely noticeable stutters.

There is no 100% smoothness of any interface animation here. It's difficult to say why this happens. Perhaps the proprietary shell is not well optimized, or perhaps the processor’s performance leaves much to be desired.

For clarity, here are the test results in the AnTuTu program:

However, the smartphone easily coped with FullHD video playback. Most modern games are also supported, but, of course, at medium graphics settings.

A 13.1 megapixel matrix is ​​used as the main module for photographs. The output photos have a resolution of 4224×3168 pixels. Of course, there is autofocus, which quickly grasps the subject and almost never misses.

There are very few additional shooting scenarios: there is support for HDR, the ability to create a horizontal panorama, sports mode and night photography. For the front camera, the developers have added special settings that are suitable for selfie lovers - this is, first of all, automatic skin retouching and the creation of collages. In my opinion this is the right approach, when the manufacturer does not load the camera interface with many different add-ons. Almost no one uses all this anyway. Those who need additional functionality can always download third-party photo applications from Google Play.

Let's take a look at some sample photos.

It is obvious that the Alcatel One Touch Idol Alpha 6032X camera is one of the most strengths apparatus. Detailing, color rendition - everything is at a very decent level. Sometimes your smartphone gets the exposure wrong, so it’s always worth taking a few shots. In such cases, the HDR mode can also come to the rescue, but in order not to blur the picture, you need to hold the device with iron hands for quite a long time - about 3 seconds.

For some reason, the manufacturer did not provide the ability to go directly to the footage from the camera interface. But we have all been accustomed to such functionality for a long time, since the days of 1.3 Mpixel modules.

As for video shooting, the smartphone is capable of shooting video in a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second.

During video recording, the tracking focus is clearly visible, which instantly refocuses on any desired object. The output file format is the good old 3GP (codecs H.263, MPEG4, H.264 depending on the quality preset in the settings). What to say when you can see everything with your own eyes.

Sound and video

As mentioned earlier, the speaker in the Idol Alpha 6032X is located on the back cover of the device. The sound through the speaker is quite quiet and, if we compare the volume with the iPhone 5, the latter sounds about twice as loud as a smartphone from Alcatel. On a noisy street or in the subway, it is impossible to hear a call from the device. Even the pre-installed relatively shrill notification tones do not save the situation.

The quality of music playback through headphones leaves an extremely positive impression.

We are talking about using third-party headphones. The entire sound spectrum, including bass, is clearly audible. For those who do not have enough standard sound, there is an equalizer with a lot of pre-installed add-ons, as well as many other effects, among other things. The Idol Alpha 6032X is also perfect as a music player because it supports many popular audio formats: WAV, MP3, MP2, AMR, MIDI, Vorbis, APE, AAC, AAC+, FLAC, WMA. If it were possible to connect your own headphones without any adapters, that would be very good.

The included headset does not pull out low frequencies at all, although it allows you to control playback and calls. For an undemanding user, it is quite suitable as the main headphones.

There is one more unpleasant feature. For some reason, the player stretches out all the song covers and, accordingly, it looks sloppy.

There is also an FM radio that operates via a headset that acts as an antenna. You can listen to the radio without headphones, but in this case no one guarantees the stability of the signal.

Video playback does not raise any questions, except perhaps that the player itself is very ascetic: there is not even the ability to view information about the file.

Input method

In the phone settings, you can configure input methods in detail using several preset keyboards to choose from. A learning mode and two ways of typing words are available: for fast typers and for those who prefer accuracy.

According to the manufacturer, Idol Alpha 6032X can last 24 hours on a single charge in music player mode. A non-removable battery with a capacity of 2,000 mAh allows the device to remain afloat for one daylight active use. The smartphone can last a day and a half without connecting to a power source only under a fairly moderate load (20 minutes of calls per day, 10 pictures per camera, an hour of Internet surfing via Wi-Fi). It looks like a standard for an Android smartphone.

Bottom line

Yes, Alcatel decided to save money on the processor and not install a top-end chip from Qualcomm. Still, the price of 13,990 rubles per device in federal networks dictates its own rules. However, the smartphone is not positioned as a top-end device. The buyer has the right to count on the image component, a pleasant screen and good camera- and all this, believe me, is already a lot. Yes, there are certain inconveniences: you can’t just connect any headphones and there is no support for OTG mode. Before purchasing, you should definitely consider these points.

Is it possible to consider Alcatel Idol Alpha 6032X as a purchase?

Yes, if not needed high performance, a second SIM card and a passion for a fashion device, but the iPhone for one reason or another is not suitable.

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Main camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.

Additional camera

Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.

A stylish smartphone with impressive technical characteristics is the Idol X. Initially (in 2013) it was positioned as a mid-range solution price range. But now, 2 years after the start of sales, this device can safely be classified as a budget device. It is its capabilities and technical parameters that will be described and discussed in detail in the proposed material.

Equipment

This “smart” phone has typical equipment (as for a device from this manufacturer). There is nothing unusual about her. It includes the following accessories and components:

• The smartphone itself battery for 2000 mAh.
• Charger.
• Wired stereo headset entry level.
• Interface cord.
• Brief instruction manual (it also contains a warranty card at the end, on which, when purchasing a device, the seller must put his stamp and fill it out completely).

The list above clearly lacks a cover. The body of the device is almost entirely made of plastic, it is not difficult to damage it, but it will be quite problematic for the owner of this gadget to do without this accessory. Although the front panel of the smartphone is protected by impact-resistant Dragontrail glass, in order to prevent various types of damage, it is recommended to glue a special protective film to the front panel of the device. It is also not included in the package, and this accessory will have to be purchased at an additional cost. Also, owners of the single-SIM version of this phone will have to purchase an external flash drive. The phone has only 8 GB of internal memory, and this is clearly not enough for comfortable work today.

Gadget design and its features

Most of the front panel of the gadget is occupied by a touch screen. Its diagonal is impressive even by today's standards - 5 inches. The frame width on the left and right is only 2.4 mm. Not every mid-level smartphone currently can boast of such a characteristic. The length of its case is 141 mm, width - 68 mm, and the thickness is “fantastic” 6.9 mm. Its weight is very small - 130 grams. For a device with such dimensions and characteristics, these are truly phenomenal indicators. Above the screen there is a front camera window, there is an earpiece and several sensors. Under the display there are backlit controls. It consists of three standard buttons. On the bottom side of the smartphone there are harmoniously located: a hole for a spoken microphone, a socket USB port. On the right are buttons that control the volume. If Idol X does not turn on after briefly pressing the lock button (located on the top edge of the smartphone), then you need to press it for 5-15 seconds and wait until the device turns on. Here, on the top edge of the device, there is an audio port (3.5 mm). It is used to output sound signal to a wired speaker system. These can be either speakers or headphones with a microphone. On the back cover, in addition to the manufacturer’s logo, there is also an “eye” for the main camera with LED backlight and a loud speaker.

Computational basis

Alcatel One Touch Idol X is based on one of the most productive 4-core chips from MediaTek - MT6589T. It consists of four computing modules based on an architecture code-named “Cortex-A7”. The maximum frequency of each of its computing modules can reach 1.5 GHz, and no other CPU from this manufacturer can boast exactly the same values ​​or higher. At the time of the release of this gadget, this semiconductor crystal made it possible to solve any problem. But now, 2 years later, he will no longer be able to cope with the latest generation of the most demanding toys. And here the problem is not in the CPU itself, but in the fact that software has appeared designed to run on 64-bit platforms, but this processor can only perform 32-bit calculations. All other tasks on this computing platform are performed without problems (watching videos, simple games, reading books, listening to audio, and so on).

Device video card

As graphics accelerator used in this device PowerVR SGX544MP. At the time of the start of sales, this video accelerator allowed solving all problems without exception. But now more demanding games of the latest generation have appeared that will simply run on it. But at the same time, this graphical solution still allows you to solve most everyday problems. This includes browsing the Internet, reading books, playing videos (including movies), and even mid-level toys - all this is possible with the Alcatel One Touch Idol X with such a graphics card.

Display

The Alcatel One Touch Idol X phone has a 5-inch display. Its resolution is equal to what is impressive today - 1920 x 1080. It is based on a matrix made using IPS technology (hence the impeccable color rendition). Well, with the help of OGS technology, the picture on the screen is not distorted even at angles that are very close to 180 degrees. Even now, two years later, not every mid-range gadget, let alone entry-level devices, can boast a display with similar characteristics. In addition to everything else, the screen in this device is protected by Dragontrail glass (an analogue of which is applied to the surface (with its help, fingerprints do not remain on the front panel of the phone).

Cameras

The main camera of the Alcatel One Touch Idol X also has impressive parameters. The photos taken with its help are truly High Quality. It has a 13 megapixel sensor, which is also produced by Sony, a leading manufacturer of “sensitive” elements for phones and cameras. A similar sensor is used in the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Sony Xperia Z. The developers did not forget to equip this gadget with an autofocus system and LED backlight. This camera can record video in 1080p format (with an image refresh rate of 30 frames per second). The front camera has a more modest sensor - only 2 megapixels. But this will be quite enough for selfies or making video calls using the same Skype, for example.

Memory

Now let's look at the Alcatel One Touch Idol X from the perspective of the memory subsystem. The amount of RAM in different modifications of this gadget is always the same and equals 2 GB. At the same time, system processes occupy about 700 MB. The remaining 1300 MB can be used by the smartphone owner to run application software. The capacity of the built-in storage in the 2-SIM version of this device is 16 GB. In this case, the installation slot external storage absent. But the single-SIM version of this device is equipped with only 8 GB of disk space, but in this case, instead of a slot for a second SIM card, there is a slot for installing a 32 GB flash card. If for some reason the specified capacity of the integrated drive is not enough, then you can use “cloud” information storage services, for example, Yandex disk.

Smartphone autonomy

The Alcatel One Touch Idol X is equipped with a rather modest battery, by today's standards. Its characteristics are really not impressive: 2000 mAh based on lithium-ion manufacturing technology. According to the manufacturer, the specified capacity in standby mode should be enough for 320 hours per day. cellular networks second generation and 240 hours in 3G mode. In reality, with such a battery and similar technical characteristics, you can count on maximum savings for 2 days battery life. If you use this device to the maximum, then the battery will have to be charged every evening. However, there is no guarantee that he will be able to finish the work until the evening. As a result, it is imperative to purchase an additional one that can be used when the main battery charge level is low. In this case, your phone will definitely not let you down. But in this case, you will have to carry an external battery with you and also monitor its charge level.

Communications

The communication set of this smartphone includes the following interfaces:

• Wi-Fi is the main way to exchange information with the World Wide Web.
• Mobile networks of GSM and 3G standards. They allow you to make calls and exchange SMS. You can also use them to connect to the Internet. In the latter case, it will even be possible to make video calls.
• The GPS sensor allows you to determine the location of the device with a high degree of accuracy. Also, A-GPS technology can sometimes be used for these purposes.
• Bluetooth is great for when you need to use wireless headset or exchange data with a similar mobile device.
• Wired acoustic system Can be connected to a smartphone using an audio port (3.5mm).
• Micro USB allows you to charge the battery or synchronize the device with a PC.

Software

The Alcatel One Touch Idol X smartphone, as expected, operates under the most popular operating system for various mobile devices - Android. Its version is 4.2. Of course, this is far from the latest system software today, but its presence is quite enough to run most applications. The only thing that will not work on this 32-bit version of the operating system is the latest 64-bit application programs of the latest generation. The proprietary shell of this mobile gadget manufacturer is installed on top of the operating system. Its interface is quite reminiscent of a similar MIUI shell from Xiaomi. Except standard applications(calendar, calculator, organizer, etc.), the installed software includes clients of international social networks (for example, Facebook) and a set of mini-utilities from Google (Gmail+, Chrome, and so on). The user will have to install everything else from the content store (“Play Market”).

Current price

Although 2 years have passed since the start of sales, the price has remained virtually unchanged for the Alcatel One Touch Idol X. Reviews highlight its rather high cost. The smartphone itself has long been discontinued and can now only be purchased from stock. Well, regional dealers bought the device at a fairly high price, below which they now cannot lower its market value. It is currently priced at $375. Its starting price was $500. On the one hand, the device has fallen in price by $125, on the other hand, now for the same money you can buy an Xperia M4 from Sony or Mi4 from Xiaomi. Any of these devices is technically an order of magnitude better than the Idol X. As a result, this smartphone no longer looks like such a good buy compared to its analogues, which can offer their owner much more for the same money.

Both the name and content of Alcatel's two-generation flagships - One Touch Idol X and One Touch Idol X+ - differ minimally. Processor (now 8-core flagship processor Mediatek MT6592), battery capacity (500 mAh more), body coating (now glossy plastic) - that's all the innovations for the year. On the other hand, the price of new flagship Alcatel is more affordable than updating the flagship lines of Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC, etc. Like Lenovo Vibe Z, One Touch Idol X+ competes not so much with its peers, but with the flagships of the second half of last year - LG G2, Nexus 5 and Sony Xperia Z1 with Snapdragon 800. In this review, we will again think about whether it’s worth buying something else , if there are such tasty, beautiful and affordable flagships, in particular those produced by LG. But the One Touch Idol X+ is in many ways similar to its predecessor; in the review we will look only at those characteristics that have undergone changes: the practicality of the case, autonomy and performance. And at the same time, let’s check how much better the screen has become.

Both the name and content of Alcatel's two-generation flagships - One Touch Idol X and One Touch Idol X+ - differ minimally. The processor (now an 8-core flagship Mediatek MT6592 processor), battery capacity (500 mAh more), body coating (now glossy plastic) - that's all the innovations for the year. On the other hand, the price for the new Alcatel flagship is more affordable than for updates to the flagship lines of Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC, etc. Like Lenovo Vibe Z, One Touch Idol X+ competes not so much with its peers, but with the flagships of the second half of last year - LG G2, Nexus 5 and Sony Xperia Z1 with Snapdragon 800. In this review, we will again think about whether it’s worth buying something else, if there are such tasty, beautiful and affordable flagships, in particular those produced by LG. But the One Touch Idol X+ is in many ways similar to its predecessor; in the review we will look only at those characteristics that have undergone changes: the practicality of the case, autonomy and performance. And at the same time, let’s check how much better the screen has become.

Specifications

Since Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ is the company’s flagship, it has the corresponding “filling”: a 5-inch FullHD display with an IPS matrix and without an air gap. To maintain a device with such a high-resolution display, a minimum of 2 GB of RAM is required - and they are there. Unlike the Lenovo Vibe Z, which is in the same price category, the model is equipped with a processor not made by Qualcomm, but by Mediatek. Fresh, eight-core MTK6592. If last year's quad-core MTK6589T managed FullHD devices somehow and in terms of graphics was much inferior to other top solutions of its time, then the MTK6592 can easily handle “serious” games. The main camera in the device is 13 megapixel. The front one, in accordance with the latest trends, did not become 5-megapixel. But it’s still not bad for video calls and selfies. If my memory serves me correctly, then compared to the previous flagship model it began to work noticeably faster. The battery capacity has increased by 500 mAh. But the OS version, alas, has not changed - the same Android 4.2.1, when it is already mid-2014, looks like an omission. But unlike Lenovo Vibe Z and other devices in this price category, Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ exists in versions for one and two SIM cards.

Frame

Replacing the practical matte plastic of the case with a glossy and impractical one in theory can scare off many rational buyers. But the glossy body of the One Touch Idol X+ with small stripes made a good impression on me. In my opinion, this is a nicer solution than the identical and slightly dull SoftTouch. True, during the weeks of the model’s life in the hands and pockets of various representatives of the gg editorial staff, the gloss managed to get badly scratched. That's how it ended.

The location of the Android control keys, volume and screen lock has not changed compared to the previous model. What has changed is the thickness. Just 1 mm. This was enough to use a larger capacity battery. But it did not affect the comfortable position of the model in the hand. The smartphone fits nicely in the hand and looks stylish, especially when viewed from the rear. The beautiful shimmer of the case, the branded inscription, the neat manicure are a sight to behold.

The battery is non-removable, and the connectors for a memory card and SIM or two SIMs in the dual-SIM version are hidden at the ends.

Perhaps nothing more new can be said about the device’s body. But it is worth mentioning the package, which, in addition to charging and a USB cable, includes a very decent headset.

Screen

Compared to its predecessor, the smartphone has a brighter display that holds up well under the sun. But he is also haunted by the well-known scourge of “smart” technologies. The automatic brightness backlight does not work well in the sun - you have to manually turn it up to full power.

Color rendering is at a standard average-mediocre level: the color gamut is cold, the coverage is somewhat shifted towards the blue region, ΔE exceeds 20, but the screen is bright and overall pleasant to look at. And the 3rd generation Gorilla glass protects it from scratches.

In the smartphone settings there is an item that allows you to adjust the color temperature and color saturation. It won’t be perfect, but that’s something very few smartphone screens can boast of.

Autonomy

If the previous Idol X worked for a day with its 2000 mAh battery, then in the new model with a 2500 mAh battery this figure has not changed for the better. If you actively use your smartphone’s camera, like games (even not very energy-intensive ones), listen to music for a couple of hours a day and use instant messengers, be prepared for the fact that the device will ask for a power outlet more often than once a day. If you play demanding games and watch videos for several hours, then a couple of times a day. If we compare it with LG G2, Nexus 5, Sony Xperia Z1, then the comparison will clearly not be in favor of Alcatel. If with Lenovo Vibe Z or Huawei Ascend P7, then you get approximately the same result.

Performance

If FullHD smartphones on the MTK6589T processor still had certain performance problems, especially in games (they manifested themselves most strongly in the Fly IQ453 Quad Luminor FHD, and the Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ suffered less from them), then the MTK6592, in principle, suffers from the same Asphalt 8, Real Racing 3 and Temple Run 2 at maximum image quality settings without any problems. However, the benchmark results are inferior to those of Snapdragon 800 models that cost the same money. If we compare the smoothness of the interface, then the advantage will also not be on the side of Idol X+, although this model cannot be accused of being slow. Its interface just moves a little less quickly than in the LG G2 and even more so in the Nexus 5.

Interface

If you read the review of Alcatel One Touch Idol X, then, in principle, you have a good idea of ​​what the proprietary interface of Alcatel smartphones looks like. Neither the design, nor the functions, nor the interesting widget of the main desktop have changed much. Key difference latest version What happened was that a separate application menu appeared in the smartphone. This came as such a surprise to me that I didn’t even immediately find the corresponding icon in the menu. Another interesting feature is that the screen in lock mode displays who the message was received from, for example.

Camera

The main camera of Idol X+ has become faster to focus and shoot, showing better results in the dark and in poor lighting. It still cannot compare with the leaders of this and last year, but it is still significantly better than the “hospital average.” In addition, it began to shoot faster (although it cannot keep up with the flagships of the market). The main interface of the camera looks like this.

Nowadays popular filters are available after shooting.

Well, here’s an example of photographs (in original resolution, as usual, you can see it on Torbe in a separate gallery).

Competitors

The price of 5-5.5 thousand hryvnia, taking into account the characteristics of the model and how pleasant it is to use it, at first glance seems quite fair. But the LG G2 and Nexus 5 cost a little less money. Of course, LG frankly went crazy with the cost of its previous flagship and is unlikely to make good money on it. But mostly geeks know about Nexus 5 and that’s all. But in general, such a price battle only makes things better for buyers. If for the same money you can buy a more serious LG G2 or Nexus 5 in terms of reliability, performance, autonomy and photographic functions, if you prefer “naked” Android, then settle for less (which is essentially what all new models in this price category are : Alcatel One Touch Idol X+, Huawei Ascend P7, Lenovo Vibe Z) makes no sense. In such a situation, other manufacturers have to either hope for customer love at first sight, or ignorance (“oh, but there are not 4 cores, but 8, so it’s cooler!”), or a miracle, or the need for two SIM- maps (though in this case, last year’s star HTC One Dual SIM looms on the horizon). Or reduce prices to the level when a person begins to think about saving money. The Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ smartphone is good in itself, but it’s hard for it to compete with such strong competitors. It can be considered as an alternative if you have some stupid prejudices before the LG brand. But then it’s worth buying the Sony Xperia Z1, the only drawback of which is the whitish screen, but its advantages are everything else: the camera, autonomy, smooth interface, and a case protected from dust and moisture.

Bottom line

Flagship smartphones from the second half of last year, thanks to the lower prices, are still a more interesting purchase than any of the newly arrived smartphones in the same price category - about 5.5 thousand UAH. Compared to them, the beautiful, convenient and nimble Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ may be of interest only to those who want to buy a rare smartphone “not like everyone else” or a high-quality device with support for two SIM cards. Otherwise, unfortunately, it is completely inferior to the LG G2, Nexus 5 and Sony Xperia Z1, just like its peers.

3 reasons to buy Alcatel One Touch Idol X+:

• compact and neat body that fits perfectly in the hand;
• the device is “not like everyone else’s”;
• support for two SIM cards;

3 reasons not to buy Alcatel One Touch Idol X+:

• poor autonomy;
• strong competitors (for the same money you can buy an LG G2 or Nexus 5 with a Snapdragon 800 and a better camera);
• impractical body.