Alcatel OneTouch Idol 2: Pros and Cons
Alcatel announced the launch of the OneTouch Idol 2 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6582 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. The OneTouch Idol 2 series was launched with Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. This phone features a high resolution 540 x 960 px IPS display. The size of screen is 5 inch. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.
Table of Contents
- Alcatel OneTouch Idol 2 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 OneTouch Idol 2 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 OneTouch Idol 2 specifications
| Brand | Alcatel |
|---|---|
| Name | OneTouch Idol 2 |
| Model | OT-6037 |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.52 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.35 x 2.76 x 0.29 inch |
| Colors | chocolate, hot pink, slate, white |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Alcatel OneTouch Idol 2 is about 4.52 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Mediatek MT6582 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 |
The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 2 comes with Android OS v4.2 (Jelly Bean) 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. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 1 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 8 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The OneTouch Idol 2 has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The OneTouch Idol 2 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | yes |
| FM radio | no |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The OneTouch Idol 2 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 OneTouch Idol 2 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The OneTouch Idol 2 smartphone has an accelerometer. 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
- Dual SIM support
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
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.