Alcatel Idol 5s: Pros and Cons
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
- Alcatel Idol 5s specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
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.
Alcatel Idol 5s specifications
Brand | Alcatel |
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Name | Idol 5s |
Model | IDOL5S |
Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 5.22 oz |
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Dimensions | 5.85 x 2.79 x 0.29 inch |
Colors | black |
SIM type | Nano 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).
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v7.1 (Nougat) |
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SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 |
CPU | Octa-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Adreno 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.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | IPS |
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Screen size | 5.2 inch |
Resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
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.
Memory, storage
RAM | 3 GB |
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Internal storage | 32 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
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.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus |
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Flash | Dual LED |
Selfie camera | 8 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 bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth | v4.2, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | yes |
USB | USB Type-C |
Headphone | 3.5 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
Type | Li-Po 2620 mAh, non-removable |
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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
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity |
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Specials | Dragontrail 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
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.