Alcatel announces two budget smartphones with high-end features

Alcatel today added two budget-friendly new phones to its OneTouch family of devices. The two handsets – a 4.7-inch device and 5.5-inch – both fall under the Idol 3 moniker and share a number of features.

The 4.7-inch Idol 3 features a 720p screen, 1.2Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 400-series processor, 1GB of RAM, 2000 mAh battery and a 13 megapixel camera. The dual-SIM version of the phone has 16GB of non-expandable storage, whereas the single SIM model has 8GB of expandable storage.

Conversely, the 5.5-inch Idol 3 boats a 1080p screen, 1.6Ghz 615 octo-core processor, 2910mAh battery, 2GB of RAM and the same 13 megapixel rear-shooter. The dual-SIM version of the phone has 32GB of non-expandable storage, and the single-SIM variant has 16GB of expandable storage.

Both devices are 4G-enabled, run Android Lollipop and feature an almost symmetrical design, meaning the they're just as usable "upside down" as when they are the "right way up". Alcatel has included speakers and microphones on either end of the device, with the goal of making this a seamless experience. The manufacturer also claims that the "Technicolor Colour Enhance Technology" featured in the Idol's 3 display enables crystal-clear outdoor readability, "even under bright sunlight".

The 4.7-inch Idol 3 will retail for USD$200 (approximately AUD$256) and the 5.5-inch will retail for USD$250 (approximately AUD$320). Both handsets are slated for an Australia release, but pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed. It is expected that local release information will be confirmed before the end of the month.