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Review: Alcatel A50 / Pulsemix

The A50 has good intentions, but veers off the road into a hellscape of bad execution. It delivers an uneven experience that make it a highly questionable purchase.

On its own, without the SnapBak attachments, the hardware is acceptable for such a low-cost device. The components are put together well enough, and the footprint isn't so bad. The display is sub-par, voice performance was so-so, and data performance was just acceptable. Battery life was a bright spot.

The MediaTek processor is no match for even the bare-bones version of Android running on this phone and it runs sluggishly. The camera app is a sore point; worse, the A50 is just barely worth using as a camera.

I was hoping the SnapBak accessories would add value similar to the way the Moto Mods do with Motorola's Z-branded handsets, but it's not even close. Alcatel's poor vision gives me a new appreciation for how well Motorola's Mods work.

The SnapBaks require you to fully remove the stock cover in order to use them. The LED lights impressed the heck out of my kid, but teens and adults probably won't care. The speaker is just OK, and the battery pack is inconvenient in every way.

Pricing for the A50 / Pulsemix ranges from $30 to $150 depending which company you buy it from (Amazon or Cricket). Even at $30, I'd call it a no-go, even for kids.

A50

A50

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Alcatel PulseMix / A50 / A5

5.2" display HD+ resolution
MT6738 processor 2 GB RAM
2,800 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Headphone Jack (3.5mm)

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