Alcatel 3L Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Alcatel 3L is an impressive entry-level smartphone that punches above its weight. With a sleek design and a compact form factor, it's perfect for those who value portability without sacrificing functionality. The 5.94-inch IPS LCD display offers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles. Powered by a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, the device delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. The standout feature is the dual-camera setup, boasting a 13MP main lens and a 5MP depth sensor, ensuring crisp and detailed photos. The 8MP front camera captures stunning selfies. The device also offers a fingerprint sensor for added security. The Alcatel 3L provides excellent value for its affordable price, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build Quality

The Alcatel 3L boasts a sleek and compact design that is pleasing to the eye. With dimensions of 151.1 x 69.7 x 8 mm and a weight of 145g, it is a lightweight device that feels comfortable to hold and operate. The device features a 5.94-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 82.2% provides an immersive viewing experience.

In terms of aesthetics, the Alcatel 3L is available in colors such as Anthracite Black and Metallic Blue, giving users options to suit their personal preferences. The device has a modern and minimalistic look, with rounded edges and a slim profile that adds to its overall appeal.

The materials used in the construction of the Alcatel 3L are of decent quality, with a combination of plastic and glass. The display is protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, which adds to the device's durability by providing resistance against scratches and minor impacts. The rear panel houses the fingerprint sensor, which is conveniently positioned for easy access.

The ergonomics of the Alcatel 3L are well thought out. The device feels comfortable to hold and operate with one hand, thanks to its compact design and lightweight construction. The placement of physical buttons, such as the volume rocker and power button, is intuitive and easily accessible.

When it comes to durability and construction, the Alcatel 3L is a reliable device. The build quality is solid, ensuring that it can withstand daily wear and tear. Additionally, the device's construction provides a good level of protection against accidental drops and bumps.

Overall, the Alcatel 3L impresses with its physical appearance, aesthetics, and ergonomic design. The use of quality materials and its durable construction contribute to its longevity. Whether it's for everyday use or occasional multimedia consumption, this device offers a comfortable and reliable user experience.

Display

The Alcatel 3L features a 5.94-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The screen size is decent, providing a comfortable viewing experience without being too bulky. Although the resolution may not be the highest, with a pixel density of approximately 289 ppi, it still delivers decent sharpness and clarity for everyday use.

In terms of LCD technology, the Alcatel 3L utilizes an IPS panel, which offers good color accuracy and wide viewing angles. This ensures that colors appear vibrant and consistent even when viewed from different angles. However, it's worth noting that the display lacks advanced features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and a wide color gamut, which would enhance the visual experience further.

The display of the Alcatel 3L also incorporates Asahi Dragontrail Glass for protection against scratches and minor impacts. While not as well-known as Gorilla Glass, Dragontrail Glass still provides effective protection for everyday use. Additionally, the display has an anti-reflective coating, which reduces glare and improves outdoor visibility, allowing for better readability even in bright sunlight.

Unfortunately, the Alcatel 3L does not offer features like an always-on display or a blue light filter. However, it does come with adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, ensuring optimal visibility and conserving battery life.

Overall, the Alcatel 3L's display offers a satisfactory visual experience with good color accuracy, decent sharpness, and wide viewing angles. While it may not have the highest resolution or advanced features, it still provides an enjoyable viewing experience for everyday use.

Performance

The Alcatel 3L is an entry-level smartphone that offers a decent performance for its price range. Powered by a Mediatek MT6739 chipset in Europe and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 chipset in other regions, it provides a satisfactory level of performance for everyday tasks. The quad-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 CPU in Europe and the quad-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A53 CPU in other regions ensure smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. While it may not be the most powerful processor on the market, it offers a good balance between performance and efficiency.

In terms of GPU benchmarks, the Alcatel 3L features a PowerVR GE8100 GPU in Europe and an Adreno 504 GPU in other regions. These GPUs deliver satisfactory graphics scores and provide a decent gaming experience for casual gamers. While it may struggle with more demanding games, it can handle most popular games without significant lag or performance issues.

The Alcatel 3L's performance is further enhanced by its system optimization and thermal management. The device runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo) and is optimized to deliver a smooth user experience. It efficiently manages system resources, ensuring that the device runs smoothly and without any noticeable lag. The thermal management keeps the device's temperature in check, preventing overheating during prolonged usage.

When it comes to benchmark tests, the Alcatel 3L performs reasonably well. While it may not achieve top scores in synthetic benchmarks, it offers a satisfactory level of performance for its price range. The processor efficiency and GPU efficiency contribute to its overall performance metrics.

Overall, the Alcatel 3L provides a solid performance for an entry-level smartphone. It may not be the most powerful device on the market, but it offers a smooth and lag-free user experience for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Its system optimization and thermal management ensure efficient performance and prevent overheating. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent performance, the Alcatel 3L could be a suitable choice.

Software and User Interface

The Alcatel 3L runs on the Android 8.1 (Oreo) operating system. This version of Android provides a familiar and user-friendly interface for a seamless user experience. The device features some customization options that allow users to personalize their home screen, wallpapers, and icons. With the pre-installed apps, the Alcatel 3L offers a range of essential functionalities right out of the box. However, it is worth noting that some users may find certain pre-installed apps as bloatware, which could potentially occupy storage space and impact performance. Nonetheless, the device offers a smooth and responsive performance thanks to its MediaTek MT6739 (Europe) or Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (global) chipset and quad-core CPU. The Alcatel 3L also comes with 2GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and app switching. It has 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSD card. The device's user-friendly interface, combined with its efficient software and hardware configuration, contributes to a pleasant and hassle-free user experience.

Camera

The Alcatel 3L boasts a dual-camera setup with a 13 MP primary camera and a 5 MP depth sensor. With its f/2.0 aperture and 1.12µm pixel size, this camera is capable of capturing detailed images with good sharpness and clarity. It performs well in daylight photography, delivering natural colors and decent dynamic range. The camera also features LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode, allowing users to capture a wide range of scenes and perspectives.

In terms of low-light performance, the Alcatel 3L's camera does a decent job with its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities. It also offers a night mode, which helps enhance image quality and reduce noise in low-light conditions. However, due to the limited aperture size, the camera may struggle in extremely low-light situations.

The Alcatel 3L's camera also includes several useful features such as portrait mode, AI scene recognition, and HDR mode. These features help users capture stunning portraits with bokeh effects, recognize and optimize settings for different scenes, and expand the dynamic range in high-contrast situations.

When it comes to video recording, the Alcatel 3L can shoot videos in 1080p resolution at 30fps. While it lacks 4K video recording capability, it still offers video stabilization for smoother footage. Additionally, users can enjoy capturing slow-motion videos, time-lapse videos, and a variety of video formats.

Overall, the camera of the Alcatel 3L delivers satisfactory image quality in various lighting conditions and offers a range of features to enhance the photography experience.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Alcatel 3L offers a range of connectivity options to keep users connected on the go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, allowing for fast data speeds and seamless browsing. With Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct, users can easily connect to wireless networks and enjoy high-speed internet access. The device also features Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE, enabling easy pairing with other Bluetooth-enabled devices for file sharing or audio streaming. NFC is available on some versions of the device, offering convenient contactless payment options for supported transactions. The Alcatel 3L comes with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and it supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two different phone numbers on a single device. For navigation, the device supports GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO, ensuring accurate location tracking. Additionally, the Alcatel 3L has a mobile hotspot feature, enabling users to share their internet connection with other devices. Overall, the Alcatel 3L offers a good range of connectivity features, making it a versatile device for staying connected on the go.

Additional Features

The Alcatel 3L comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality. Firstly, it offers expandable storage through a microSD card slot, allowing users to easily increase their storage space for photos, videos, and apps. This is particularly useful for those who require extra storage for their files. Additionally, the device supports dual SIM functionality, enabling users to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience. This is especially beneficial for individuals who need to separate personal and work contacts or for those who frequently travel and need to use different network providers. The Alcatel 3L also includes a variety of sensors, such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which enhance its usability and enable features like automatic screen rotation and gesture-based interactions. These advanced sensors provide a seamless user experience and enhance the overall functionality of the device.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Alcatel 3L is an entry-level smartphone that competes with other budget-friendly devices in the market. When comparing it to related gadgets, such as the Samsung Galaxy A10e and the Moto E6, the Alcatel 3L holds its ground with its impressive features and affordability.

In terms of specifications, the Alcatel 3L offers a 5.94-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels. While this may not be as high as the Full HD displays found on some competitors, it still delivers decent visuals for everyday use. The device is powered by a MediaTek MT6739 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processor, depending on the region, and is equipped with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card.

One of the standout features of the Alcatel 3L is its dual-camera setup, consisting of a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP depth sensor. This combination allows for good quality photos with depth effects, HDR, and panorama capabilities. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A10e and Moto E6 offer single rear cameras, which may not provide the same level of versatility and image quality.

In terms of battery life, the Alcatel 3L is equipped with a 3500mAh battery, which should provide enough power to last through a day of moderate usage. This is on par with its competitors, ensuring that users can stay connected without constantly needing to recharge.

Price-wise, the Alcatel 3L sits at a competitive price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. While it may not have the same brand recognition as Samsung or Motorola, it offers similar features and performance at a more affordable price.

Overall, the Alcatel 3L holds its own in the budget smartphone market by offering a good balance of features, performance, and affordability. Its dual-camera setup and expandable storage give it an edge over some of its competitors, making it a compelling option for those looking for a budget-friendly device without compromising on essential features.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alcatel 3L is an entry-level smartphone that offers decent features at an affordable price. Its 48 MP camera provides good image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The device has a sleek design and a compact size, making it comfortable to hold and use. The battery life is impressive, ensuring that users can go through the day without worrying about frequent charging. However, the phone's performance may be lacking for more demanding tasks, and the limited internal storage may require the use of a microSD card. Overall, the Alcatel 3L is a suitable choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize camera quality and battery life over high-end performance.