U.S. – Phone maker Alcatel released two budget-range smartphones on September that are worth checking out. The Idol 4 and Idol 4S are handsets that offer the performance of a high-end Android phone for an affordable price.
The main feature of the devices is “The Boom Key.” It is a button that is on the side of the phone, and users can customize to take instant pictures, create picture collages, start and share a video stream, or display live weather animations on the launch screen.
Notably, the Idols are the world’s first smartphones to come with virtual reality goggles on its package. Users will need to activate the “VR-in-a-box” and explore pre-loaded 360 degrees videos, immersive photos, and VR games.
Both devices come with a metal frame and tempered glass on the front and back. They have dual speakers and microphones everywhere – on the rear, front, bottom and top – so it sounds loud and clear even if it is facing down on a surface.
Idol 4 and Idol 4S specs
The 4S has a 5.5-inch screen that has a QHD 1440 x 2560 resolution. It has an AMOLED display with 16 million colors. Also, it features outdoor readability, a technology that makes the screen clearer under the Sun.
The Idol 4 is the smallest version. It is a 5.2-inches phone with an FHD 1080 x 1920 resolution screen. It features an IPS LTPS display with 16 million colors. Both phones have a Live UI interface and run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Idol 4 sports 15GB of onboard memory, and it can be expanded up to 512GB with microSD and 3GB RAM. it has a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor with the Adreno 405 GPU. Lastly, it features a 2610mAH battery with 14 hours of talk time.
Idol 4S’ 32GB native memory can be increased up to 512GB with microSD, and it has 3GB RAM. It has a Snapdragon 652 chip and an Adreno 510 GPU. Finally, it runs on a 3000 mAh battery that provides 13 hours of talk time with one charge.
Idol 4 and Idol 4S camera
The Idol 4 rocks a 13mp rear camera with touch focus, phase detection autofocus, 6P lens and dual-tone led flash. An 8 mp camera sits on the front of the smartphone.
It can record 1080p videos at 30 frames per second, and can playback videos with the same resolution up to 60 fps.
The Idol 4S has a 16Mp camera with the same features the Idol 4 camera has plus instant shot, slow motion, and manual modes. It has an 8mp front camera with LED flash.
The Idol 4S Camcorder records video with 2K resolution at 30 fps, 1080p at 60fps, or 720p at 120 fps. Also, It can play and stream live 1080 videos at 60 fps and 720p recordings at 120 fps.
Idol 4 and Idol 4S price and availability
The unlocked Idol 4S is available at Alcatel’s digital store. It costs $399 and comes with VR goggles, JBL headphones, and an Incipo phone case.
The Idol 4 is only available for U.S. Cricket carrier customers. On the company’s digital store, it has a $149.99 price tag. The carrier sells the phone along with the VR goggles. Both models come in black metallic black.
Source: Alcatel
