Mobile World Congress may bring with it the feeling that we’ll see foldable phones to take on Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, but it will also offer options for budgets first, and Alcatel has a few.
Not sure if the next phone you buy will carry a big price tag, especially in a world where smartphones can hit as high as the $3,000 mark? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and you’ll have choices.
One of the world’s leaders in budget handsets is showing a few new options over at Mobile World Congress this year, as Alcatel announces three phones that will likely make their way to Australia, and a tablet as well.
Alcatel’s owner, TCL, made the announcement in Spain overnight, talking up two similar models that might be closer to mid-range and one in the properly budget sector, but all with big screens that take up most of the front.
In a world where bezels are taking a backseat, Alcatel’s offerings are going with the flow regardless of the amount you choose to spend.
You’ll find a 5.5 inch Full View display in the upcoming Alcatel 1S, an entry-level option providing Android 9 32GB storage, a 13 megapixel and 2 megapixel camera combo on the back, fingerprint sensor, and a chip from a brand we’ve not yet seen in Australia, Spreadtrum, which may help to bring the cost down.
What that price is, we’re not sure, but Alcatel is calling its Alcatel 1S “accessibly-priced” suggesting something low-ish.
It’s certainly not saying the same about the two phones it announced in the Alcatel 3 and Alcatel 3L, phones that are very similar. Both offer a 5.9 inch HD+ screen, a combination of 13 and 5 megapixel cameras, and a 3500mAh battery.
Where they appear to be different, however, is that the Alcatel 3 has more storage, more memory, and Android 9.0, while the Alcatel 3L will offer less storage, less memory, and Android 8.1 to start with, though an upgrade to Android 9.0 will come later.
“While we’re entering an exciting era of innovation in the smartphone market with the introduction of 5G connectivity and new concepts thanks to flexible displays, we cannot lose sight of consumers who are just looking for great technology at an affordable price,” said TCL’s Peter Lee.
TCL and Alcatel will also offer a tablet in the Alcatel 3T 10, a 10 inch tablet offering Android 9.0 and a 4080mAh battery, plus a bit of voice recognition to control the tablet without it being directly in front of you. There is also reportedly an “Audio Station” accessory to give a little bit more sound and volume control out of the Alcatel 3T 10, complete with a microSD card reader to play music on the speaker through the card.
As for pricing on all of this, like most things related to Mobile World Congress, don’t expect an answer, with Alcatel’s local arm saying that availability info will be confirmed closer to launch. Our guess is expect it anywhere between May and August, but we’ll let you know if and when that changes.
