Alcatel

Alcatel Idol 5s: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
Adreno 506
3 GB / 32 GB
5.2 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Alcatel announced the launch of the Idol 5s smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Idol 5s series was launched with Android OS v7.1 (Nougat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. This phone features a high resolution 1080 x 1920 px IPS display. The size of screen is 5.2 inch. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus). 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 Idol 5s 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.

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Alcatel Idol 5s specifications

BrandAlcatel
NameIdol 5s
ModelIDOL5S
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.22 oz
Dimensions5.85 x 2.79 x 0.29 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Alcatel Idol 5s is about 5.22 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 Idol 5s / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
CPUOcta-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 506

The Alcatel Idol 5s comes with Android OS v7.1 (Nougat) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Alcatel Idol 5s / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.2 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Alcatel Idol 5s / 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. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Idol 5s has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Idol 5s comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Idol 5s smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2620 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2620 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 Idol 5s isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDragontrail glass

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Idol 5s smartphone has an accelerometer. The Idol 5s phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment.

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

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • low-capacity battery
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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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