Alcatel one touch idol 2 white. Memory and speed
Thanks to the release of mid-priced smartphones with good consumer properties, TCL Communications share ( trademark Alcatel One Touch) is growing rapidly in Russia. One of the flagships of this growth is the smartphone Alcatel Idol 2. We tested this model with a five-inch screen and pleasant appearance.
Sales of Alcatel smartphones in Russia in the first half of 2014 came very close to the indicators of such brands as Huawei, Fly and LG. This was largely due to the successful launch of the second generation Idol line on the market, which included the Idol 2 (5-inch screen), Idol 2S (with LTE support), Idol 2 mini (4.5-inch screen) and Idol 2 mini S (version with LTE). I had at my disposal the basic model of Alcatel Idol 2. We will talk about it further.
In technical terms, the device is typical average. There is a quad-core processor MTK6582M, 1.3 GHz, 1 GB random access memory, large 5-inch screen with IPS matrix, resolution 540x960 pixels, 8 megapixel camera. The device operates under Android control 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Well, the price of the issue is 7,990 rubles.
Dimensions. Contents of delivery
id="sub0">The first thing you notice is that the device looks great. Despite big screen, the phone is thin and relatively light. It measures 136.5 x 70 x 7.3 mm and weighs 128 grams. The gadget fits in your hand, although you still can’t reach the corners of the screen with a finger of one hand. You have to use your second hand.
The build quality is in no way inferior to flagship models from other manufacturers. During two weeks of testing, I did not notice any creaking or play. The positive aspects include the velvety plastic from which it is made. rear end apparatus.
If we talk about the convenience of carrying a smartphone in the pockets of tight clothes, then there are no problems here. Wear it wherever you want and with whatever you want.
The scope of delivery includes:
- Alcatel 6037Y Idol 2 phone
- Charger adapter USB devices
- Cable for synchronization with computer
- Stereo headset with 3.5 mm mini-jack connector
- Instructions
Design, construction
id="sub1">The smartphone looks great, it’s pleasant to hold in your hands, and a lot of people like it. This is largely due to the thinness of the case, as well as the finishing, which includes velvety plastic on the back and chrome inserts on the sides.
It is worth mentioning that the design of the smartphone is monolithic. The back cover and battery in this model are non-removable. Hence the feeling of reliability: there are no gaps between structural elements and no creaking or play of individual parts of the body. For assembly - five points out of five.
There are several body color options available for sale: brown, pink, gray and white. I had a white device at my disposal.
If we talk about the placement of different elements, then almost the entire front part of the device is occupied by a 5-inch diagonal touch display. Above it is a speaker for voice calls. Located to the left front-camera, on the right - all kinds of sensors: motion sensor, light sensor, G-sensor. In the upper transparent part of the case there are LEDs that light up during charging, an incoming SMS or a missed call. They shine with white light. The operation of the diodes can be configured in the menu.
Touch control buttons are located under the screen. There are three of them, like all Android devices of a similar level.
On the right side there is a button to turn on, turn off and lock the phone, as well as a volume key. The microSIM slot can be found on the left side. There is support for hot memory replacement. Nearby is a slot for memory cards. MicroSD cards are used here. On the bottom edge of Idol 2 there is a microUSB connector. It is universal because it comes with a charger and a sync cable. There are also speakers for playing external calls and audio files. The speakers are loud enough to ensure you don't miss an outgoing call. The playback quality of audio files is average. At high volumes the sound begins to creak slightly.
At the top end there is a hole for connecting a standard 3.5 mm headset.
An 8 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash is located on the back of the smartphone. You can also see the manufacturer's logo on the back.
Alcatel Idol 2 is assembled at the TCL Communications plant in China. By the way, I really liked the assembly.
Screen. Graphics capabilities
id="sub2">Alcatel Idol 2 does not use the most modern 5-inch screen. The main disadvantage of the display is its low resolution. Only 540x960. The matrix here is IPS, which boasts good color reproduction, colorful and contrasting images. To protect the display, high-quality carbon fiber glass is used, which reliably protects the screen from damage. During the two-week test, by the way, no scratches appeared on the screen.
The pixel density is low, which is why people with good eyesight can see the pixels clearly. This is why the font and pictures look imperfect. However, it is worth remembering that this is a budget version of the device and, by definition, one cannot expect excellent quality from it.
Among the advantages, I will note the excellent response to clicks and large viewing angles. In the sun, the screen fades a little, but the information remains legible and understandable.
Menu. Interface and navigation
id="sub3">Alcatel Idol 2 runs under operating room control Android systems 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. A custom Alcatel shell with redrawn icons and individual menu items is installed on top of the operating system. Looks a little childish.
Otherwise, we have good old Android. In standby mode, the user has access to several desktops. By default, one of them is completely empty, the other displays shortcuts for individual applications and widgets, the rest - calendar, bookmarks, music player. Each desktop can be customized.
From distinctive features Alcatel Idol 2 has pre-installed applications, including navigation and reference 2Gis, antivirus package, Evernote, Facebook, Twitter, OfficeSuite, Opera mini, Flipboard, LinkedIn, PicSay, Skype, WatsApp, Viber, Kinoofisha, Yandex.Taxi, barcode scanner and others.
In terms of the number of applications running on the smartphone out of the box, the device can be praised. All you need is already there. The rest can be downloaded from Google Play.
Multimedia capabilities
id="sub4">The application for playing music is called "Music" . Here you can view and listen to audio tracks. The following file formats are supported: MP3, AMR, AAC, AAC+, e-AAC+. There is sorting by artists, albums, genres, composers. The standard headset is included in the package.
The “Video” item displays videos made both by the device’s camera and downloaded from the Internet.
Camera. Photo and video capabilities
id="sub5">Alcatel Idol 2 has an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. The model offers a very concise menu with settings; a minimum of parameters is offered. Manual settings very little. At the same time, the device offers such popular modes as HDR and panorama shooting, and can also record video in a resolution of 1920x1088. The quality of the images is average, noise is clearly visible in low light, sometimes autofocus behaves strangely, and you have to focus again.
Videos are shot in Full HD format with a resolution of 1920x1088 pixels. The device has support for unconverted video, but the chipset does not handle 1080p well, the sound is often out of sync, or there is no sound at all. In terms of music formats, there is support for FLAC in addition to the usual MP3 and a number of others.
Memory and speed
id="sub6">A version of the smartphone with built-in memory of 8 GB or 16 GB is available in stores. This volume can be expanded using cards microSD memory.
The hardware is typical for most mid-priced smartphones. It has a MediaTek MT6582M chipset with quad-core processor 1.3 GHz. 1 GB is allocated for RAM.
You can watch HD videos on your smartphone without any glitches. However, if you run several “heavy applications” at the same time, the interfaces will begin to become dull. In general, the speed of the device leaves a very good impression.
Communication capabilities
id="sub7">The device operates in 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (900/2100 MHz) networks. IN basic version The smartphone does not support LTE. For these purposes, there is a version of Alcatel Idol 2S, which supports 4G.
Besides this, there is Bluetooth version 4.0 for file and voice transfer. There is Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. The device, of course, can be used as an access point or modem. In the settings, this item is listed as “Modem mode” (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for 802.11n mode). Eat Wi-Fi support Display. To transfer files, among other things, you can use the NFC module.
The smartphone has GPS navigator, A-GPS. “Cold” start - 5-6 minutes, “hot” - up to 15 seconds. To work with maps, the device has the following programs: “Maps” and “Navigator”. Personally, I had no problems with the navigator.
Duration of work
id="sub8">The smartphone has lithium-ion battery capacity 2000 mAh. Under testing conditions, with a number of calls of 10 - 15 minutes per day, Wi-FI always on, browsing the Internet via 3G for 1.5 hours, listening to an mp3 player through a headset for about 2 hours, the device worked for about a day. If you use the device more intensively, the operating time will decrease. The battery charges in 1.5 hours. These are standard indicators for an Android smartphone.
The smartphone offers a built-in power saving feature that will help extend battery life, especially when the device is long time is in standby mode. Activating this mode, according to my own feelings, does not particularly affect the operating time.
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 70 mm (millimeters) 7 cm (centimeters) 0.23 ft (feet) 2.76 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 136.5 mm (millimeters) 13.65 cm (centimeters) 0.45 ft (feet) 5.37 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units measurements. | 7.3 mm (millimeters) 0.73 cm (centimeters) 0.02 ft (feet) 0.29 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 128 g (grams) 0.28 lbs 4.52 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 69.75 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 4.24 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | White Brown Pink |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Plastic Metal |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | MediaTek MT6582 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A7 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 32 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv7 |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 512 kB (kilobytes) 0.5 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core performs program instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 4 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1300 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Graphics processing unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphic applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-400 MP2 |
| Number of cores GPU Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 2 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 500 MHz (megahertz) |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 1 GB (gigabytes) |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels means more high speeds data transmission. | Single channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 533 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | IPS |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5 in (inches) 127 mm (millimeters) 12.7 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.45 in (inches) 62.26 mm (millimeters) 6.23 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.36 in (inches) 110.69 mm (millimeters) 11.07 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. More a high resolution means sharper detail in the image. | 540 x 960 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. More high density Allows you to display information on the screen with clearer details. | 220 ppi (pixels per inch) 86 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 72.36% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Dragontrail glass Oleophobic (lipophobic) coating Full Lamination technology |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.
| Sensor model | OmniVision OV8850 |
| Sensor type | CMOS BSI 2 (backside illumination 2) |
| Sensor size | 3.63 x 2.75 mm (millimeters) 0.18 in (inches) |
| Pixel size | 1.111 µm (micrometers) 0.001111 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor | 9.51 |
| Svetlosila | f/2.4 |
| Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape. | LED |
| Image Resolution | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording speed (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the sensor used by the camera. | GalaxyCore GC2035 |
| Sensor type Information about the camera sensor type. Some of the most widely used types of sensors in mobile device cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, etc. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution. | 2.8 x 2.1 mm (millimeters) 0.14 in (inches) |
| Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are able to capture more light and therefore provide better low-light photography and wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size. | 1.75 µm (micrometers) 0.001750 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor specific device. | 12.36 |
| Svetlosila F-stop (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens's aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically the f-number is specified to correspond to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f/2.8 |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions. | 1600 x 1200 pixels 1.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 2000 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. Exist different types batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries most often used in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 15 h (hours) 900 min (minutes) 0.6 days |
| 2G latency 2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network. | 550 h (hours) 33000 min (minutes) 22.9 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 10 h (hours) 600 min (minutes) 0.4 days |
| 3G latency 3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network. | 600 h (hours) 36000 min (minutes) 25 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Fixed |
Accelerometer(or G-sensor) - sensor of the device’s position in space. As a main function, the accelerometer is used to automatically change the orientation of the image on the display (vertical or horizontal). Also, G-sensor is used as a pedometer, it can be controlled various functions device by turning or shaking.
Gyroscope- a sensor that measures rotation angles relative to a fixed coordinate system. Capable of measuring rotation angles in several planes simultaneously. A gyroscope together with an accelerometer allows you to accurately determine the position of the device in space. Devices that use only accelerometers have lower measurement accuracy, especially when moving quickly. Also, the capabilities of the gyroscope can be used in modern games for mobile devices.
Light sensor- a sensor that sets the optimal brightness and contrast values for this level illumination The presence of a sensor allows you to increase the battery life of the device.
Proximity sensor- a sensor that detects when the device is close to your face during a call, turns off the backlight and locks the screen, preventing accidental clicks. The presence of a sensor allows you to increase the battery life of the device.
Geomagnetic sensor- a sensor for determining the direction of the world in which the device is directed. Tracks the orientation of the device in space relative to the magnetic poles of the Earth. The information received from the sensor is used in mapping programs for terrain orientation.
Atmospheric pressure sensor- sensor for precise measurement of atmospheric pressure. It is part of the GPS system, allows you to determine altitude above sea level and speed up location determination.
Touch ID- fingerprint identification sensor.
Accelerometer / Light / Proximity
Satellite navigation:
GPS(Global Positioning System - global system positioning) - satellite system navigation, providing measurement of distance, time, speed and determining the location of objects anywhere on Earth. The system is developed, implemented and operated by the US Department of Defense. The basic principle of using the system is to determine location by measuring distances to an object from points with known coordinates - satellites. The distance is calculated by the delay time of signal propagation from sending it by the satellite to receiving it by the antenna of the GPS receiver.
GLONASS(Global Navigation Satellite System) - Soviet and Russian satellite navigation system, developed by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense. The measurement principle is similar to the American system GPS navigation. GLONASS is designed for operational navigation and timing support for land, sea, air and space-based users. The main difference from the GPS system is that GLONASS satellites in their orbital motion do not have resonance (synchrony) with the rotation of the Earth, which provides them with greater stability.
Photos in the interior
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Contents of delivery:
- Telephone
- Charger with USB cable
- Headset
- Instructions
Positioning
The Idol line was a kind of breakthrough for Alcatel - interesting design, good functionality, reasonable price. The appearance of the Mini version with a low price made these devices even more popular, they entered the mass segment. In fact, we can say that Alcatel has created an excellent offer in terms of price/quality ratio, materials and appearance– these models are strikingly different from what we see from most Chinese manufacturers. And at the same time the cost is at the same level.
In 2014, there were no major changes in the design; the entire line received an update to the filling, but at the same time retained the design, which still looks just as fresh. In my opinion, Alcatel devices can be recommended as youthful, bright solutions - they will be chosen by those who prioritize not only functionality, but also the way the device looks. This is a rare case when the form complements the content very well. I like the latest line of devices from Alcatel, they are quite pleasant in everyday life, but at the same time they lack the stars from heaven. A sort of pragmatic choice is a phone that you can use for several years, and then change it to another. Actually, that says it all.
Design, dimensions, control elements
Lined up Idol Mini 2 includes several models; for reasons of simplicity, we can combine them into one review, since, by and large, they are the same in the eyes of the consumer. Let's list all the modifications:
- Idol Mini 2 6016X – one SIM card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, microSD, UMTS 900/2100
- Idol Mini 2 6016D – two SIM cards, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, UMTS 900/2100
- Idol Mini 2 6016A – one SIM card, 512 MB RAM, 4GB built-in, microSD, UMTS 900/2100
- Idol Mini 2 6016E – two SIM cards, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, UMTS 850/1900/2100
- Idol Mini 2 S 6036A – one SIM card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, LTE Bands 1,2,4,7,17, no NFC
- Idol Mini 2 S 6036X – one SIM card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, LTE Bands 1,3,7,8,20,28, no NFC
- Idol Mini 2 S 6036Y – one SIM card, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, LTE Bands 1,3,7,8,20, NFC available
The review is written based on version 6036Y, this is the best configuration of this device. All versions use a chipset from Qualcomm. In Russia, version 6036Y is sold by the Beeline operator and is partially branded by it (screensavers in the menu and the like).
Externally, we see a typical Alcatel - this means a nice plastic case, monoblock design. The manufacturer offers the model in different colors, but as a rule, you can find a dark silver device in retail.
Phone size – 129.5x63.5x8.5 mm, weight – 116 grams. Compact, fits well in the hand. Front panel single-color (depending on the color of the case, for example, in the white version it is also white). The front side of this device is difficult to distinguish from other models; it starts playing if you turn it over - the body has a slight bend, pleasant plastic, which is resistant to abrasion. On the back surface you can see a large speaker, at the top there is an LED flash, as well as an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus.
On the left side there is a slot for a SIM card, as well as for microSD memory cards, on the right there is a paired volume key and an on/off button. The 3.5 mm connector is placed on the top end, but the microUSB is on the bottom. At the ends you can also see microphone holes, there are two of them.
Above the screen there is a light indicator, a front camera, and also an LED; it can be configured to work when there are missed calls or events. In general, the build quality is not in question, but the back panel crackles when pressed hard. Some people may not like this - this does not affect the reliability of the device in any way, but the design is such that it creaks. Inaccuracy in the design of the device, which gives such an effect. In real life, you won't pay attention to this and are unlikely to squeeze your phone like that.
Display
The device has a 4.5-inch IPS matrix with a resolution of 540x960 pixels (245 ppi). Multi-touch supports up to 5 touches, brightness adjustment in automatic mode works well. The brightness reserve is excellent, and the model turned out to be pleasant in terms of how the screen works - good colors, excellent angles review, no complaints. You may find the default fonts a little lacy, but you can always change them to larger ones. The screen fades in the sun, but remains readable.
Battery
The device has a battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh (in versions without LTE – 1700 mAh). According to the manufacturer, it is capable of providing up to 400 hours of standby time and up to 13 hours of talk time in 3G. In practice, the device with quiet use - 20 minutes of calls a day, a couple of dozen SMS, an hour of listening to music and a little mobile internet– lives about 2 full days. At the same time, we can say that with very active use it can survive until the evening of the first day, but this is an uncharacteristic use of such a device for the target audience. Such smartphones are bought mainly for calls, SMS, mail and the like. That is, this is not a machine for constantly being online; there is not enough screen diagonal for comfort. Full battery charging time is about 2 hours.
Memory, memory card, performance
The phone has 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, of which 5.3 GB is available to the user for programs and their data. Memory cards up to 32 GB are supported.
Chipset in this model Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8226, 4 cores with a frequency of up to 1.1 GHz. Graphics coprocessor – Adreno 305. In my opinion, the performance is quite excellent, there are no complaints, for lovers of virtual parrots I will provide data from benchmarks.
Communication capabilities
The phone works in cellular networks 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/900/2100 MHz), as well as LTE (for Idol 2 Mini S). Available Bluetooth version 4.0 for file and voice transfer. Present wireless connection Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. The devices, of course, can be used as an access point (Wi-Fi Hotspot) or modem. USB 2.0 (High-Speed) is used for file transfer and data synchronization. There is not much demand Wi-Fi function Display when you can transfer the signal from your phone to another device via Wi-Fi. Traditionally, there is a Wi-Fi Direct function. There is also a remote Wi-Fi display option.
The device in question also has NFC, it can be used to read tags, there is trial version Triger Pro program, which allows you to configure various events using NFC. The tags themselves are not included in the kit, but they can be purchased from any manufacturer, for example, Samsung.
Camera
An ordinary 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, not enough stars in the sky, gives acceptable image quality in bright light, but in the dark the result is noticeably worse. The photographic part is not strong point Alcatel phones However, look at the examples below. Video recording is supported in 1080p resolution, up to 30 frames per second.
Software features – Android 4.3
In Idol 2 Mini, just like in its predecessor, Alcatel uses its own software shell, which can be perceived ambiguously by many, since people often prefer “bare” Android and are quite satisfied with its capabilities.
Many functions have been heavily redesigned; Alcatel has added a number of programs that can be downloaded for free anyway, but the fact that they are pre-installed makes the device more interesting for inexperienced users.
Without unlocking the device, you can view the weather forecast for the current day. Let's scroll the screen to the right, there will be a calendar and a to-do list for the current day (entering to-dos or viewing another day will not work). You can also view the status bar; it is also available when the screen is locked, if there is no security key or digital code.
The fundamental difference between Alcatel's approach and other shells is that they decided to abandon a separate menu for all applications. On the main screen there is a weather widget and several icons. This is the starting point. We scroll the screens to the left, and there will be widgets that you install. Let's go to the right, and these will be program icons, also some programs have already been put into folders, this was done by the manufacturer. You get used to such an organization instantly; it is somewhat logical and definitely has a right to life.
The settings menu now has its own settings, for example, a super saving mode for the battery. The menu itself has also been redesigned in white colors, which is quite nice. In our video, I talk about most of the applications that are in the device, and I don’t want to repeat what has changed compared to previous models.
Next, I could dwell on each program and describe it, but I don’t see much point in this. This is a smartphone, and this software is usually known, or I touched on it in the video. So see the screenshots below.
Another part that I want to describe separately is the multimedia capabilities. The device has support for unconverted video; the chipset plays 1080p perfectly, unlike its predecessor. In terms of music formats, there is support for FLAC, in addition to the usual MP3 and a number of others.
Impression
The sound quality is excellent; your interlocutor can hear you well in all conditions. The call is loud and clearly audible. The vibration alert is quite weak, closer to average, you can skip it.
The cost of the LTE version of this device in Beeline is 7,990 rubles, the difference is NFC support, as well as 8 GB of internal memory and memory card support. In the version without LTE the price is lower – 6,990 rubles. In my opinion, the target audience would be interested in a device without LTE; after all, this technology requires active use of the network, and with a small screen by today’s standards, this is not so convenient. Let me put it differently, you will be able to surf the Internet, there are no problems with this - but it is unlikely to be for long hours, rather take a look required pages from time to time, chat in in social networks, use Whatsapp. For this purpose, the device is very comfortable, but you shouldn’t assume that it will allow you to stay online all the time - the screen size plays a role, and there is no way to get around this limitation.
The device turned out to be very pleasant, just like the first Idol Mini, this good smartphone for calls, balanced, there is nothing superfluous in it. I would like to better camera, but this weakness Almost all models in this price segment. As an alternative, you can consider last year's Idol Mini, which, given the new price, looks very interesting - it can be found for 5,000 rubles. In large retail chains its cost is 5,990 rubles, which makes it not so interesting compared to the second version.
At the end of 2014, sales of the entry-level smartphone Alcatel Idol Mini 2 began, in two versions at once. These devices are distinguished by their low cost and good technical characteristics compared to their competitors. It is their characteristics and capabilities that will be discussed in this article.
Smartphone hardware
The central processor-graphics adapter combination plays a decisive role in the performance of a smart phone. It is important to understand one nuance here. If the processor is high-performance, but the graphics adapter cannot boast of this, then it will not be possible to fully unleash the full computing potential of the former. A similar situation occurs if the CPU is inferior in capabilities to the video card, but just the opposite. Therefore, chip manufacturers strive to put comparable elements into one processor. This is exactly what Alcatel Idol Mini 2, and each of its modifications, can boast of. In a less productive version, this smartphone is equipped with the MCM8210 chip from Qualcom. It consists of 2 cores of the energy-efficient A7 architecture. Each of them rises to 1.2 GHz in peak load mode. Its capabilities are complemented by the Adreno 302 video accelerator. In reality, this bundle is enough to solve most tasks: from reading books and surfing the web to watching movies and quite demanding toys. The only exception is the most demanding games of the latest generation, which are too tough for him. This is all model 6014X. There is a more productive modification - 6016X. The difference between them is the type of integrated central processor. The latter already has MCM8212 installed with 4 similar cores and exactly the same frequency at maximum loads. This does not provide a noticeable increase in productivity today. But in some cases, 4 cores ensure smooth operation of the device. Therefore, it is preferable to buy the 6016X. At a comparable cost ($165 for the 6014X and $190 for the 6016X, respectively), it provides higher level productivity.
Display and cameras
Diagonal workspace screen in any modification of this smartphone is an acceptable 4.5 inches. Display resolution 960 x 540 pixels. The screen is capable of displaying about 16 million colors and its surface is capable of processing up to five touches simultaneously. A rather interesting situation has arisen regarding the quality of the output image. The cheaper model is better in this regard than the 6016X. This is talked about in various information portals reviews. Alcatel Idol Mini 2 in the 6014X version is based on a matrix with IPS technology, while the 6016X uses an outdated TFT. Therefore, from the standpoint of picture quality, it is more preferable to buy the 2-core modification of this smartphone. But upon inspection technical characteristics cameras all fall into place. they are identical - 0.3 megapixels and are great for making video calls. In turn, the 6016X is equipped with an 8 MP matrix versus 5 MP for the 6014X. Otherwise, these are identical devices - there is autofocus, software system image stabilization and flash based on LED technology.
Memory
The situation with this smart phone model is not so simple with the number installed memory. Alcatel Idol 2 Mini 6016X is equipped with 1 GB of RAM, and the built-in storage capacity is 4 GB. In turn, in the 6014X the amount of RAM is reduced by 2 times, and its volume is 0.5 GB, and inner memory is still the same 4 GB. In both the first and second cases, MicroSD flash cards with a maximum capacity of 32 GB are supported. All this is quite enough for normal and comfortable work on this device. But it’s still better to buy a 6016X with a lot of RAM installed.
Housing and ergonomics
You can't expect anything other than plastic. And here Alcatel Idol 2 Mini pleasantly surprises. Photos indicate the presence of metal inserts around the entire perimeter. And this is true - all the ribs of the device are made of metal. And here back cover and the front panel is made of ordinary plastic. Therefore, without a cover and protective sticker not enough. Otherwise it's quite standard device entry level. The on and off button along with the volume rockers is located on the right edge, and under the screen there are touch buttons. This allows you to operate your smartphone with only one hand.
and autonomy
Now about the battery that comes with the Alcatel Idol 2 Mini. A review without indicating its characteristics will not be entirely complete. The battery capacity is 1700 mAh for both modifications of the device. This allows the 2-core version of the device to operate on a single charge with an average level of use for 3-5 days. But the more productive version 6016X can last 2-3 days at a similar load level.
OS and more
As operating system This group of devices includes Android, and one of its most recent versions is 4.3. Considering that Alcatel Idol Mini 2 sales started at the end of 2014, it is quite possible that updates will appear in the foreseeable future. Otherwise, a standard set of applications is installed on this device: utilities from Google, international social services and generally accepted programs (calculator, calendar, etc.).
Communications
The Alcatel Idol 2 Mini has an almost perfect set of interfaces. A review of its technical specifications indicates the following:
- Wi-Fi is the main way to exchange information with the global web. The maximum speed of 100 Mbit/s allows you to transmit and receive absolutely any amount of data.
- Bluetooth is the ideal solution for those cases when you need to exchange small files with another smart phone, and there are no other options for transmitting information nearby.
- Mobile networks 2Zh and 3Zh. In the first case, information transfer is possible only in small amounts. Speeds of 500 Mbps or less impose certain restrictions. But in the second case, as with Wi-Fi, you can transfer and receive any amount of data. The only limitation is the status of your mobile account. If there are no material resources on it, data transmission will be stopped automatically by the operator.
- There is also a ZhPS sensor, which allows you to navigate around the area without any problems.
- Wired interfaces “MicroUSB” and “3.5 mm audio jack” allow, respectively, to exchange data with a PC and output sound signal to external acoustics. The first one is also used to charge the battery.
The only thing that causes criticism is the lack of. Therefore, you won’t be able to control the TV or transfer data using it. But this is an insignificant remark, since this device belongs to budget smartphones and one cannot expect a complete set of communications from it.