Technical characteristics of the smartphone Alcatel Idol 2. Photos in the interior

At the end of 2014, sales of the entry-level smartphone Alcatel Idol Mini 2 began, and in two versions at once. These devices are notable for their low cost and good technical characteristics compared to competitors. It is their characteristics and capabilities that will be considered in the article offered to your attention.

Smartphone hardware

The central processor - graphics adapter 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, and the graphics adapter cannot boast of this, then it will not be possible to fully reveal the entire computing potential of the former. A similar situation occurs if the CPU is inferior in its capabilities to a video card, but only exactly the opposite. Therefore, chip makers strive to fit commensurate elements into one processor. This is what the Alcatel Idol Mini 2 can boast of, and each of its modifications. In a less productive version, this smartphone is equipped with an MCM8210 chip from Kualcom. It consists of 2 cores of the A7 energy efficient architecture. Each of them in the peak load mode rises to 1.2 GHz. Its capabilities are complemented by the video accelerator "Adreno 302". 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. These are all 6014X models. There is a more efficient modification - 6016X. The difference between the two lies in the type of integrated CPU. The latter has already installed MCM8212 with 4 similar cores and exactly the same frequency at maximum loads. Today it does not give a tangible increase in productivity. But in some cases, 4 cores ensure smooth operation of the device. Therefore, it is preferable to buy exactly 6016X. At a comparable cost ($ 165 for the 6014X and $ 190 for the 6016X, respectively), it offers a higher level of performance.

Display and cameras

The diagonal of the working area of \u200b\u200bthe 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 shades and its surface is capable of handling up to five touches at a time. A rather interesting situation has developed regarding the quality of the displayed image. The cheaper model is better than the 6016X in this regard. This is indicated by reviews on various information portals. The Alcatel Idol Mini 2 in 6014X is based on the IPS technology, while the 6016X uses the outdated TFT. Therefore, from the standpoint of picture quality, it is more preferable to buy a 2-core modification of this smartphone. But when examining the technical characteristics of the cameras, everything falls into place. they are identical - 0.3 megapixels and are great for making video calls. In turn, the 6016X is equipped with a matrix of 8 megapixels versus 5 megapixels in the 6014X. Otherwise, these are identical devices - there is autofocus, software image stabilization and a flash based on LED technology.

Memory

The situation is not so simple for this smart phone model with the amount of installed memory. The Alcatel Idol 2 Mini 6016X is equipped with 1GB of RAM, and the storage capacity is 4GB. In turn, the 6014X has reduced the amount of RAM by 2 times, and its volume is 0.5 GB, and the internal memory is all the same 4 GB. Both in the first and in the second case, MicroSD flash cards with a maximum volume 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.

Body and ergonomics

One should not expect anything other than plastic. And here Alcatel Idol 2 Mini pleasantly surprises. Photos indicate the presence of metal inserts around the perimeter. And this is true - all the edges of the device are made of metal. But the back cover and the front panel are made of ordinary plastic. Therefore, you cannot do without a cover and a protective sticker. Otherwise, this is a fairly standard entry-level device. The on / off button, along with the volume rockers, is brought to the right edge, and there are touch buttons under the screen. 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 specifying its characteristics will be incomplete. The battery capacity is 1700 mA / h for both device modifications. This allows the 2-core version of the device to work on a single charge with an average level of use for 3-5 days. But the more productive version 6016X will be able to last 2-3 days at the same load level.

OS and more

The operating system in this group of devices is "Android", and one of its most recent versions is 4.3. Considering that sales of Alcatel Idol Mini 2 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

Alcatel Idol 2 Mini has an almost perfect set of interfaces. A review of its technical specifications points to the following:

• Wi-Fi is the main way to exchange information with the global web. The maximum speed of 100 Mbps allows you to transmit and receive absolutely any amount of data.
• "Bluetooth" is an ideal solution for those cases when you need to exchange small files with another smart phone, and there are no other options for transferring information.
• Mobile networks 2Zh and 3Zh. In the first case, it is possible to transfer information only in small volumes. A speed of 500 Mbps or less imposes certain restrictions. But in the second case, as with "Wi-Fi", you can send and receive any amount of data. The only limitation is the state of your mobile account. If there is no material on it, the data transfer will be stopped by the operator automatically.
• There is also a ZHPS sensor, which allows you to navigate the terrain without any problems.
• Wired interfaces "MicroUSB" and "3.5 mm audio jack" allow, respectively, to exchange data with a PC and output a sound signal to external acoustics. The first one is also used to charge the battery.

The only thing that causes criticism is the lack. Therefore, it will not work to control the TV or transfer data with it. But this is an insignificant remark, since this device belongs to budget smartphones and one should not expect a full set of communications from it.

Idol 2 6037Y. This is a universal device designed for a wide audience of users.

There are no special frills in the design of this model, everything is in its place: three navigation buttons under the screen, a front camera and sensors in the upper part of the front panel.

The body of the smartphone is plastic, 136.50mm long, 70mm wide, and 7.3mm thick. The weight of the device is 128g. The side edges have metallic rims. The volume controls and the lock / unlock button are located on the side surfaces. The upper edge of the case has a jack for connecting a stereo headset via a 3.5 "mini-jack" port.

Performance and software

The operating system preinstalled by the manufacturer is Android version 4.2 on top of which Alcatel's own graphical shell is installed. The device uses a four-core Media Tec processor operating at 1300MHz. The device has 8GB of permanent memory, 1GB of memory for operational processes. Main memory expandable via micro SD up to 32GB.

The smartphone has a variety of communication modules:

• Bluetooth 4.0;
• Wi-Fi 802.11n;
• USB 2.0.

It can work in GSM networks (there is a CDMA modification) and supports 3G, GPRS, WAP and other popular Internet access channels.

On a smartphone, you can watch videos with a FullHD resolution of 1920X1088, but the graphics processor clearly “digests” this format with difficulty and sometimes the image loses synchronization with the sound track. In Alcatel Idol 2 6037Y, the A-GPS module has a so-called hot start for 15 seconds.

Screen

The lack of HD support does not spoil the overall impression too much, because the screen, in principle, is quite solid, with a diagonal of 5 'inches. Its matrix is \u200b\u200bcapable of reproducing up to 16.78 million colors. The pixel density per square inch of the sensor area is 220ppi. The sensor supports multitouch. The color rendition is good, the viewing angles are large. In sunny weather, thanks to a special polarizing layer, the image practically does not change its shades, even deep blacks are preserved thanks to this property of the screen.

Camera

The main camera of the smartphone is 8 megapixel, equipped with a LED flash for shooting in low light conditions. The camera has autofocus but can also "find" focus from the owner's prompt. The camera located on the front panel has a 2MP matrix resolution, which is even more than enough for selfies and video calls in the Skype application.

Battery

The lithium-ion battery pack has one major advantage - it is removable. This means that if the capacity of the standard (2000mAh) battery seems too small to someone, then you can always take an additional battery with you on a long trip. The time to fully charge a discharged battery is quite long - an hour and a half.

Conclusion

With a screen with HD resolution, this smartphone could, in principle, qualify for the level of the initial top-end device and compete with analogues from and. Alcatel Idol 2 6037Y whose review is not an exhaustive description of all the possibilities, this is a smartphone that is worth the amount declared by the manufacturer, and is in demand along with the industry.

Accelerometer (or G-sensor) - sensor of the device's position in space. As a primary function, the accelerometer is used to automatically change the orientation of the display image (vertical or horizontal). Also, the G-sensor is used as a pedometer, it can be controlled by various functions of the device by turning or shaking.
Gyroscope - a sensor that measures the angles of rotation relative to a fixed coordinate system. Able to measure angles of rotation in several planes at the same time. The gyroscope together with the accelerometer allows you to accurately determine the position of the device in space. In devices that use only accelerometers, the measurement accuracy is lower, especially when moving quickly. Also, the capabilities of the gyroscope can be used in modern games for mobile devices.
Light sensor - a sensor, thanks to which the optimal values \u200b\u200bof brightness and contrast are established for a given light level. The presence of the sensor allows to increase the operating time of the device from the battery.
Proximity sensor - a sensor that detects when the device is close to the face during a call, turns off the backlight and locks the screen, preventing accidental presses. The presence of the sensor allows to increase the operating time of the device from the battery.
Geomagnetic sensor - a sensor for determining the side of the world to which the device is directed. Tracks the orientation of the device in space relative to the earth's magnetic poles. The information received from the sensor is used in cartographic programs for orientation on the ground.
Atmospheric pressure sensor - sensor for accurate measurement of atmospheric pressure. Part of the GPS system, it allows you to determine the height above sea level and speed up the location.
Touch ID - fingerprint identification sensor.

Accelerometer / Illumination / Approximation

Satellite navigation:

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite navigation system that measures distance, time, speed and determines the location of objects anywhere on Earth. The system is designed, implemented and operated by the US Department of Defense. The main principle of using the system is to determine the location by measuring the distance to the object from points with known coordinates - satellites. The distance is calculated by the time delay of the signal propagation from its sending by the satellite to being received by the GPS receiver antenna.
GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) - Soviet and Russian satellite navigation system, developed by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense. The measuring principle is similar to the American GPS navigation system. GLONASS is intended for operational navigation and time support of land, sea, air and space-based users. The main difference from the GPS system is that the GLONASS satellites in their orbital motion do not have resonance (synchronization) with the Earth's rotation, which provides them with greater stability.

Thanks to the release of mid-range smartphones with good consumer properties, the share of TCL Communications (trademark Alcatel One Touch) in Russia is growing rapidly. One of the flagships of such growth is the Alcatel Idol 2 smartphone. We tested this model with a five-inch screen and a pleasant appearance.

Sales of Alcatel smartphones in Russia in the first half of 2014 came 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 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). The basic model Alcatel Idol 2 turned out to be at my disposal. We will talk about it further.

In technical terms, the device is a typical average. There is a quad-core MTK6582M processor, 1.3 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, a large 5-inch screen with an IPS-matrix, a resolution of 540x960 pixels, an 8 megapixel camera. The device runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Well, the issue price is 7,990 rubles.

Dimensions. Contents of delivery

The first thing you notice is that the phone looks great. Despite the large 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 one hand. I have to use my 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 backlash. On the positive side, I can refer to the velvety plastic from which the back of the device is made.

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 what you want.

The delivery set includes:

• Alcatel 6037Y Idol 2 phone
• USB charger adapter
• Computer sync cable
• Stereo headset with 3.5mm mini-jack
• Instructions

Design, construction

The smartphone looks great, it is pleasant to hold it in your hands, many people like it. This is largely due to the thinness of the case, as well as the finish, which includes velvety plastic on the back and chrome insert 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 the structural elements and any creak or backlash of individual parts of the case. For the assembly - five points out of five.

Several color options are available for sale: brown, pink, gray and white. I had a device in white 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 touchscreen display with a diagonal of 5 inches. Above it is a speaker for voice calls. To the left is the front camera, to the right - all kinds of sensors and sensors: motion sensor, light sensor, G-sensor. In the upper transparent part of the case, there are LEDs that light up when charging, receiving an incoming SMS or a missed call. They shine with white light. The diode operation 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 power button, a power off and a phone lock, as well as a volume rocker. The microSIM slot can be found on the left side. There is support for hot swapping memory. Nearby is a memory card slot. It uses microSD cards. On the bottom of the Idol 2 there is a microUSB connector. It is versatile as it connects to a charger and sync cable. There are also speakers for playing external calls and audio files. The speakers have a sufficient volume so that you do not miss an outgoing call. Audio playback quality is average. At high volume, the sound starts to creak slightly.

The top end has 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. Also on the back you can see the manufacturer's logo.

The Alcatel Idol 2 is assembled at TCL Communications' China plant. By the way, I liked the assembly very much.

Screen. Graphics capabilities

The 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 can boast of good color rendering, colorful and contrasting images. High quality carbon fiber glass is used to protect the display, which reliably protects the screen from damage. For two weeks of the test, no scratches appeared on the screen, by the way.

The pixel density is low, for this reason people with good eyesight can clearly see the pixels. That is why the font and pictures look imperfect. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that this is a budget version of the device and we cannot expect excellent quality from it by definition.

On the plus side, I note an excellent response to pressing and large viewing angles. The screen fades slightly in the sun, but the information remains legible and understandable.

Menu. Interface and navigation

Alcatel Idol 2 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. On top of the operating system is a custom Alcatel shell with redrawn icons and individual menu items. Looks somewhat childish.

Otherwise, we have good old Android. In standby mode, the user has multiple desktops available. 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 is customizable.

Among the distinctive features of Alcatel Idol 2, I would like to note the pre-installed applications, including the navigation and reference 2Gis, antivirus package, Evernote, Facebook, Twitter, OfficeSuite, Opera mini, Flipboard, LinkedIn, PicSay, Skype, WatsApp, Viber, Kinoofisha, Yandex.Taxi, scanner barcodes and others.

In terms of the number of applications running on a smartphone out of the box, the device can be praised. The most you need to already eat. The rest can be downloaded from Google Play.

Multimedia capabilities

The app 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 a sorting by artist, album, genre, composer. The package includes a regular headset.

The "Video" item displays videos taken both by the device's camera and downloaded from the Internet.

Camera. Photo and video capabilities

The 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. There are very few manual settings. At the same time, the device offers popular modes such 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 the autofocus behaves in a strange way, you have to focus again.

Videos are shot in Full HD with a resolution of 1920x1088 pixels. The device has support for unconverted video, but the chipset does not handle 1080p well, often there is an out of sync sound, or there is none at all. In terms of music formats, there is FLAC support in addition to regular mp3 and a number of others.

Memory and speed

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 microSD memory cards.

The hardware is typical of most mid-range smartphones. It uses a MediaTek MT6582M chipset with a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. 1 GB is reserved for RAM.

You can watch HD videos on your smartphone without any glitches. Nevertheless, if you run several "heavy applications" at the same time, the interfaces will start to dull. In general, the speed of the device leaves a very good impression.

Communication capabilities

The device works in 2G (GSM / GPRS / EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (900/2100 MHz) networks. The basic version of the smartphone does not support LTE. For these purposes, there is a version of Alcatel Idol 2S, it also supports 4G.

In addition, there is Bluetooth version 4.0 for file and voice transfer. There is Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b / g / n here. 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). There is support for Wi-Fi Display. You can use the NFC module to transfer files, among other things.

The smartphone has a GPS navigator, A-GPS. "Cold" start - 5-6 minutes, "hot" - up to 15 seconds. To work with maps, the device has installed programs: "Maps" and "Navigator". Personally, I had no problems with the navigator.

Duration of work

The smartphone has a 2000mAh Li-ion battery. In testing conditions, with the number of calls 10 - 15 minutes a 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, then the operating time will decrease. The battery is charged in 1.5 hours. These are the standard metrics for an Android smartphone.

The smartphone offers a built-in power saving function to help extend the battery life, especially when the device has been in standby mode for a long time. The activation of this mode, according to my own feelings, does not particularly affect the operating time.