Karbonn Alfa A18: Pros and Cons
Karbonn announced the launch of the Alfa A18 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch TFT display, Mediatek MT6582 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery. The 4 inch phone comes with a TFT display (480 x 800 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px, autofocus). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- Karbonn Alfa A18 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 Karbonn Alfa A18 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.
Karbonn Alfa A18 specifications
Brand | Karbonn |
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Name | Alfa A18 |
Model | A18 |
Release date | 2017 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 3.95 oz |
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Dimensions | 4.9 x 2.54 x 0.42 inch |
Colors | black, grey, white |
SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Karbonn Alfa A18 is about 3.95 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 v6.0 (Marshmallow) |
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SoC | Mediatek MT6582 |
CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
GPU | Mali-450 MP2 |
The Karbonn Alfa A18 comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. 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 | TFT |
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Screen size | 4 inch |
Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The 4 inch phone comes with TFT display. A thin-film transistor (TFT) features a thin-film transistor for each individual pixel. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 512 MB |
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Internal storage | 4 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Alfa A18 has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px, autofocus |
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Flash | LED |
Selfie camera | VGA |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Alfa A18 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 |
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Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
GPS | A-GPS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | yes |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Alfa A18 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. 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-Ion 1400 mAh |
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The Li-Ion 1400 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, light, proximity |
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Specials | 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 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 Karbonn 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
- TFT display
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no digital compass
- 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.