Alcatel

Alcatel 1S: Pros and Cons

Android OS v9.0 (Pie)
Unisoc SC9863A
PowerVR GE8322
3 GB / 32 GB
5.5 inch (720 x 1440 px)
13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Alcatel announced the launch of the 1S smartphone in 2019. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Unisoc SC9863A SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The 1S series was launched with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid The 1S has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Alcatel 1S smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Alcatel 1S / 1

Alcatel 1S specifications

BrandAlcatel
Name1S
Model1S
Release date2019

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.15 oz
Dimensions5.82 x 2.78 x 0.34 inch
Colorsblue
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Alcatel 1S is about 5.15 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

Alcatel 1S / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v9.0 (Pie)
SoCUnisoc SC9863A
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55, Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55
GPUPowerVR GE8322
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 101210

The Alcatel 1S comes with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. PowerVR GPUs have a reputation for being power-efficient and delivering strong performance. We use AnTuTu app to measure general processing performance. AnTuTu Benchmark is the most popular benchmark app for Android phones.

Alcatel 1S / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution720 x 1440 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Alcatel 1S / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The 1S has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Alcatel 1S / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 + 2 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

Multiple cameras or depth sensors can help the smartphone. They can make its portrait mode effects more appealing. The 1S does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Alcatel 1S / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Alcatel 1S supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The 1S smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3060 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3060 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of 1S isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDragontrail glass, Dual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The 1S phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Alcatel phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • weak performance
  • limited-size screen
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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