5 Best Alcatel Phones: From Starter to Flagship Smartphones (2020)
Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? Check out the best Alcatel phones…
Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Alcatel isn’t really a popular choice. Gone were the days when the brand was among the top players in the market.
That was before smartphones came.
Now the competition among the tech giants, especially in the US, is getting tighter. But Alcatel isn’t totally left out, especially in recent years.
The company is slowly making its comeback. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more smartphones from Alcatel, ranging from their starter phones to their recent flagship, the 5 series, which could be the cheapest flagship phones available today.
Recent Alcatel Android phones are now equipped with Google Assistant and newer features. They are dedicated to releasing capable, accessible smartphones for the budget-conscious.
So if you’re planning to get a new phone this new year, you can consider getting the newer models from Alcatel. This is especially true if you want to spend less on a new device. Read on…
Related: Best Budget Android Tablets
The Best Alcatel Phones
| Best Overall | Alcatel 5V |
| Cheapest | Alcatel 1 (2019) |
| Best Value | Alcatel 3X |
| Highly Recommended | Alcatel 5 |
| Runner Up | Alcatel 1X |
5 Best Alcatel Phones in 2020
2019 was a bountiful year for Alcatel. We’ve seen releases from their Alcatel 1, 3 and 5 series.
So while we wait for their upcoming releases in 2020, here are some of the best Alcatel phones that you should consider if you’re planning to get a new phone this new year.
Without further ado, here they are…
1. Alcatel 5V
The Alcatel 5V is labeled as the brand’s flagship phone. And for a flagship phone, it’s really cheap. It’s the company’s attempt at moving forward from starters and mid-range phones to higher-end flagships.
This flagship phone is elegant-looking, with a compact curved unibody, glassy finish, and 2.5D Dragontrail glass. Compared with the Alcatel 5 and other Alcatel phones, it has a wider view (with 88% screen-to-body ratio). It boasts an HD+ FullView 19.9 display.
It has decent camera features too. Thanks to its SmartCam Duo and pro AI scene photography. It’s also packed with a large battery, so you can enjoy using it up to 18 hours in 3G.
Features
- 6.2-inch HD+ FullView 19:9 display
- 88% screen-to-body ratio
- SmartCam Duo (2MP and 12MP cameras)
- AI scene photography and Google Lens
- Android 8.1 OS (Oreo)
- MT6762, Octa-Core processor
- 4000mAh battery capacity
While it’s not yet on Amazon, you can check the Alcatel 5V on the brand’s website.
2. Alcatel 5
This is another affordable flagship from Alcatel. However, compared with its sibling, the 5V, it’s on the lower end. It runs on Android N OS and is equipped with a smaller, but still great, battery capacity of 3000mAh.
Like the 5V, Alcatel 5 has an elegant design. It has a smooth, curved unibody and a bezel-less display, sporting 18:9 aspect ration. It’s easy on the hands, as it only measures 5.7 inches, making it one of the smallest flagship phones you can find.
Its greatest strength, however, is its camera features, especially for taking selfies. Thanks to its 120° super wide-angle selfie feature and SmartSelfie Duo cameras.
Features
- 5.7-inch FullView 18:9 display
- SmartSelfie Duo (5MP and 13MP cameras)
- 120° super wide-angle selfie
- MTK6750, Octa-core processor
- 3000mAh battery
- Android N OS
This flagship phone is also not available in Amazon (yet). So if you’re interested to purchase it, you can head straight to Alcatel’s website.
3. Alcatel 3X
Alcatel 3X is among the latest offering from the brand. It boasts a sizable Super Full View display. You can expansive visuals in a larger screen with its 85% screen-to-body ratio and 6.52-inch size.
However, it’s most known for introducing the triple camera feature, which includes the following: 5MP depth camera, 8MP wide-angle camera, and 16MP AI scene detection camera. This makes it great for capturing close-up profiles to lush landscapes. With its AI photography, the camera automatically adjusts for 21 different subjects.
It’s also packed with a large battery (4000mAh) and impressive performance, with large RAM and ROM, and Octa-Core processor.
Features
- 6.52-inch HD+ Super Full View Display
- Triple cameras and AI photography
- 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM
- Also available in 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM
- Google Assistant and Google Lens support
- 2.5D dual-sided glass
- MT6763V/V Octa-Core processor
All these at an affordable price. Check out this sleek Jewelry Rose design in Amazon.
4. Alcatel 1X
If you’re looking for a starter phone, consider getting Alcatel 1X. It has a compact design and features an easy-grip feature. Thanks to its pebble-painted finish. It’s scratch, fingerprint, and slip-resistant. Easy on the hands.
For its price, it looks pretty sleek and elegant, featuring a contoured profile, minimalistic lens ring, and 2.5D glass. Although it’s compact, it offers a maximized viewing experience with its 83% screen-to-body ratio.
Like the other Alcatel phones, it has decent photography features. This phone features a dual-camera and post-shot refocusing capacity for blur effect and for capturing depth.
Features
- Dual camera (13MP/16MP + 2MP)
- 5.5-inch Fullview 18:9 HD+ display
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- MT6739ww, Quad-Core processor
- 3000mAh battery capacity
- Pebble-painted finish
With such features, Alcatel means serious business. Give this starter phone a try. It’s available on Amazon.
5. Alcatel 1 (2019)
Alcatel 1 is a starter phone in the true sense of the word. It may not offer that much, but for those who are looking for a simple phone that covers all the basics, then this is worth getting. It’s lightweight and compact and feels easy on the hands.
Its camera features are not as great as the other Alcatel phones featured here. But it’s super cheap, so it’s kind of expected. However, its strength is in its social media sharing feature. With Social Mode, you can easily share photos and others on social media with ease. There’s also Instant Collage and Photo Booth features.
Features
- 5.0-inch FullView 18:9 display
- MT6739, Quad-Core processor
- 5MP + 2MP cameras
- 8 GB + microSDXC storage
- 2000 mAh battery capacity
So if you’re looking for a very affordable basic phone with cool features to boot this 2020, take note of Alcatel 1.
FAQs
Who manufactures Alcatel phones?
Alcatel phones are manufactured and owned by the Finnish tech company Nokia. It’s now under license by TCL Corporation.
Are Alcatel phones any good?
Yes, they are of good value. They’re not the best phones out there. But considering their affordable price, they’re quite decent and able.
Can Alcatel phones be unlocked?
Yes, they can be unlocked using codes. Or you can have it unlocked by the carrier.
Wrapping Up
Alcatel smartphones have improved a lot since the company’s earlier attempts at competing in the smartphone market. For now, the company’s focus is on providing consumers with a cheap alternative while still maintaining decent functionality and features.
This was a productive year for the Alcatel. So if you’re looking something of value at a cheap price, be it a mid-range or a flagship phone, the phones featured here are great alternatives to the more popular choices.
Let’s see what Alcatel will bring to the market in the coming months and years. Will they continue to stick to their budget-conscious formula, compete with touchscreen flip phones that are currently in the market, or will they step up their game and make a huge comeback?
We’ll find out…someday, hopefully soon.
Which of these Alcatel phones do you like best? Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below.
