Hands on: Alcatel Idol 3 – Is this the best value smartphone yet?

"We will take on the big brands. We will offer products that match features of any other on the market but at a third of the price."

Alcatel Regional Managing Director Sam Skontos wasn't afraid to let fighting words fly during a launch event held by the budget smartphone manufacturer in the heart of Sydney's CBD. A PowerPoint slide comparing the specs of the iPhone 6 to company's latest flagship, the Idol 3, drove home the point: Alcatel is ready to tussle.

On paper, the Idol 3 matches if not beats the iPhone 6 in almost every hardware category, including speaker, camera and screen. The key difference is that the iPhone 6 starts at AUD$999, while the Idol 3 will be available for less than AUD$300 when it hits Australian shores around the middle of this year.