Alcatel 5 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 5 is an intriguing smartphone that offers a great combination of features and affordability. With its sleek design and compact size, it fits comfortably in your hand. The 5.7-inch IPS LCD display provides vibrant visuals, while the 18:9 aspect ratio enhances the viewing experience. Powered by the Mediatek MT6750 chipset and octa-core processor, it delivers smooth performance for your everyday tasks. The dual selfie cameras, consisting of a 13 MP and 5 MP sensor, capture stunning selfies with depth and clarity. The rear 12 MP camera produces impressive photos as well. The Alcatel 5 also features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for enhanced security. With a price around 230 EUR, this budget-friendly device is definitely worth considering.

Design and Build Quality

The Alcatel 5 boasts a sleek and modern physical appearance, with an emphasis on aesthetics and a premium feel. It features a slim and lightweight design, measuring at 152.3 x 71.1 x 8.4 mm and weighing just 144 g. The device is available in Metallic Gold and Metallic Black color options, adding to its sophisticated appeal.

In terms of construction, the Alcatel 5 utilizes high-quality materials that contribute to its overall durability. The device is crafted with a combination of metal and glass, giving it a premium look and feel. The use of glass on the front and back adds a touch of elegance, while the metal frame enhances its sturdiness.

Ergonomics and comfort are also taken into consideration with the Alcatel 5. The slim profile and rounded edges make it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The placement of buttons and ports is well-thought-out, ensuring easy access and smooth operation.

While the Alcatel 5's design is visually appealing, it may not be as durable as some higher-end devices. The glass exterior is prone to fingerprints and smudges, requiring regular cleaning. Additionally, the device lacks any official IP rating for water or dust resistance, so caution must be exercised to protect it from potential damage.

Overall, the Alcatel 5 offers an attractive design and build that combines aesthetics, comfort, and durability. Its slim and lightweight form factor, combined with the use of premium materials, contributes to its overall appeal. However, users should be mindful of its glass exterior and take necessary precautions to maintain its pristine appearance.

Display

The Alcatel 5 features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The screen size provides a decent viewing experience, allowing for comfortable multimedia consumption and browsing. The LCD technology used in the display ensures good color accuracy and vibrancy, although it may not match the quality of OLED displays found in higher-end smartphones.

In terms of brightness levels, the Alcatel 5's display is adequate for indoor use, but it may struggle a bit in direct sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the screen is generally smooth and responsive, providing a satisfactory user experience. Unfortunately, the display does not come with any specific display protection like Gorilla Glass, which may make it more susceptible to scratches and damage.

The pixel density of the Alcatel 5's display is around 282 pixels per inch, which is decent for everyday usage and offers reasonably sharp text and images. It does not support a high refresh rate or HDR, so the display may not provide the same level of visual fluidity or dynamic range as some higher-end devices. Similarly, it may not have a wide color gamut or exceptional viewing angles, but it should still be sufficient for most users' needs.

The Alcatel 5 does not have a notch design, but it does have noticeable bezels surrounding the display, which may affect the overall screen-to-body ratio. It does not offer an always-on display feature, but it does come with a blue light filter and adaptive brightness, which can help reduce eye strain and improve visibility in different lighting conditions. In terms of screen calibration, the device does not provide extensive customization options, but the colors and overall display quality are generally satisfactory.

Overall, the Alcatel 5's display offers a decent viewing experience with its adequate screen size, resolution, and color accuracy. While it may not have all the advanced features found in high-end smartphones, it provides a satisfactory display for everyday use at its affordable price point.

Performance

The Alcatel 5 is powered by a Mediatek MT6750 chipset, which includes an octa-core CPU consisting of four 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and four 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This combination provides a decent level of performance for everyday tasks and basic multitasking. However, when it comes to intensive tasks such as gaming or running resource-heavy applications, the Alcatel 5 may struggle to keep up with more demanding smartphones on the market.

In terms of GPU performance, the Alcatel 5 is equipped with a Mali-T860MP2 GPU. While this GPU is capable of handling casual gaming and basic graphics-intensive tasks, it may not deliver the same level of gaming experience as smartphones with more powerful GPUs. Graphics scores from benchmark tests may not be as high as those of competing devices, which could result in slightly lower frame rates and less smooth gameplay in demanding games.

When it comes to CPU benchmarks, the Alcatel 5 may not achieve top-tier scores compared to flagship devices. However, it is important to note that the Alcatel 5 is not positioned as a high-end smartphone but rather as an affordable option. Its processor performance is optimized for everyday use, ensuring smooth user experience and lag-free performance for most regular tasks such as web browsing, social media, and multimedia consumption.

The Alcatel 5 also benefits from system optimization and thermal management, which helps maintain consistent performance and prevents overheating during extended usage or intensive tasks. This ensures that the device can handle prolonged multitasking and maintain stable performance without significant performance degradation.

In terms of benchmark tests, the Alcatel 5 may not achieve top scores in synthetic benchmarks compared to more powerful devices. However, it is important to consider that synthetic benchmarks do not always reflect real-world performance accurately. The Alcatel 5's focus is on providing an affordable smartphone with a smooth user experience rather than chasing high benchmark scores.

Overall, the Alcatel 5 offers decent performance for its price range. It may not be suitable for heavy gaming or demanding tasks, but it performs well for everyday use and basic multitasking. The device's processor efficiency and system optimization contribute to a smooth user experience, ensuring apps load quickly and navigation is responsive. While it may not deliver top-tier performance in benchmark tests, it offers a good balance between affordability and performance for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone.

Software and User Interface

The Alcatel 5 runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat operating system, which may disappoint some users who were expecting a more recent version. However, it is worth noting that Alcatel has added its own customization to the interface. This means that users will get a slightly different experience compared to stock Android.

One advantage of this customization is the inclusion of some pre-installed apps that are specifically tailored to the Alcatel 5. While this may be seen as bloatware by some, it does offer some added functionality out of the box. These apps include features such as a wireless FM radio, which eliminates the need for wired headphones to listen to radio stations.

The user interface of the Alcatel 5 is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. It features a clean and simple design, making it easy to navigate and find the desired settings or apps. The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor on the rear of the device adds an extra layer of convenience and security, allowing users to quickly unlock their phone with a simple touch.

Overall, while the Alcatel 5 may not have the latest version of Android, it still offers a user-friendly interface and some useful pre-installed apps. The customization by Alcatel adds a unique touch to the device and enhances the overall user experience. However, it would have been preferable to see a more up-to-date operating system on a device of this caliber.

Camera

The Alcatel 5 smartphone boasts a 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 1/2.9" sensor size. This combination allows for capturing detailed and sharp images with good dynamic range. The camera also features dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama mode, offering versatility in capturing different scenarios. In daylight photography, the Alcatel 5 produces images with natural colors and satisfactory sharpness. It performs well in both indoor and outdoor photography, thanks to its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities. For night photography, the Alcatel 5 offers a night mode that enhances low-light performance, resulting in better image quality in dimly lit environments. The device also includes a 13-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel depth sensor, allowing for portrait mode and depth-of-field effects.

When it comes to video recording, the Alcatel 5 supports 1080p video recording at 30fps. Although it does not offer 4K video recording, the device does provide video stabilization for smoother footage. Slow-motion video and time-lapse options are also available, adding creativity to your videos. The Alcatel 5 supports various video formats, ensuring compatibility with different platforms and devices. Overall, the camera capabilities of the Alcatel 5 offer a satisfactory experience for everyday photography and videography needs.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Alcatel 5 offers a range of connectivity options that cater to the needs of modern smartphone users. It supports network compatibility with GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring reliable connectivity and fast data speeds. This means that users can enjoy seamless internet browsing, video streaming, and downloading of apps and files. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two different phone numbers or switch between carriers effortlessly.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Alcatel 5 comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards, which ensures fast and stable wireless internet connections. Users can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots or their home networks to enjoy online activities without using up their mobile data. Bluetooth 4.2 is also available, enabling users to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.

For easy and convenient file transfer and charging, the Alcatel 5 features a USB Type-C 2.0 port. This allows for faster data transfer speeds and a reversible connector, making it more user-friendly. Additionally, the device supports NFC technology, which enables contactless payments and easy pairing with other NFC-enabled devices.

In terms of navigation, the Alcatel 5 is equipped with GPS and GLONASS, providing accurate location tracking and navigation assistance. Users can rely on these features for turn-by-turn directions and finding their way in unfamiliar places. Overall, the Alcatel 5 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, ensuring that users can stay connected and enjoy seamless communication and internet access.

Additional Features

The Alcatel 5 comes with a range of additional features that enhance its functionality and user experience. Firstly, it offers dual SIM card slots, allowing users to easily switch between two different phone numbers or data plans. This is particularly useful for those who travel frequently or want to separate work and personal contacts. The device also includes an accelerometer and gyroscope, enabling advanced motion sensing capabilities for gaming and augmented reality applications. Additionally, it is equipped with a range of other sensors, such as a proximity sensor and compass, which further enhance its functionality. In terms of storage, the Alcatel 5 offers expandable storage through a microSD card slot, allowing users to easily increase the device's storage capacity to accommodate more apps, photos, and videos. However, it is important to note that the Alcatel 5 does not offer any water resistance or wireless charging capabilities.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Alcatel 5 is a budget-friendly smartphone that competes with other devices in the market. When comparing it to related gadgets, one notable competitor is the Moto G6. Both phones offer similar specifications and features at a relatively affordable price point. However, the Alcatel 5 falls short in certain areas.

In terms of design, the Alcatel 5 features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, which is on par with other devices in its price range. However, its resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and pixel density of 282 ppi is lower compared to the Moto G6's Full HD+ display.

Performance-wise, the Alcatel 5 is equipped with a MediaTek MT6750 chipset and an octa-core processor. While it provides decent performance for everyday tasks, it lags behind the Moto G6's Snapdragon 450 chipset, which offers better performance and power efficiency.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Alcatel 5 boasts a 12MP rear camera and a dual 13MP + 5MP front camera setup. It offers features like dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama. However, the Moto G6 surpasses it with a more advanced camera system, including a 12MP + 5MP dual rear camera setup and an 8MP front camera with a wider aperture for better low-light photography.

When it comes to software, the Alcatel 5 runs on Android 7.1 Nougat, which is disappointing considering that Android 9 Pie is already available. On the other hand, the Moto G6 comes with Android 8.0 Oreo, with an update to Android 9 Pie.

In terms of pricing, the Alcatel 5 is priced around 230 EUR, making it a budget-friendly option. However, the Moto G6 offers better value for money with its slightly higher price tag but superior specifications and performance.

Overall, while the Alcatel 5 offers decent features and performance for its price, it falls short when compared to competitors like the Moto G6. Its lower resolution display, slower processor, outdated software, and slightly inferior camera system hamper its overall appeal in the budget smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alcatel 5 offers an affordable option for those seeking a budget smartphone with some flagship features. Its sleek design and 18:9 display ratio provide an immersive viewing experience. The dual front cameras with wide-angle capabilities ensure impressive selfies. However, the device falls short in terms of performance, lacking the power to handle intensive tasks smoothly. Additionally, the outdated Android 7.1 (Nougat) operating system is a drawback. While the Alcatel 5 may not compete with higher-end devices, it offers decent value for its price range. Potential buyers looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a focus on camera capabilities may find the Alcatel 5 to be a suitable choice.