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Review: Alcatel Idol 5 for Cricket Wireless

Alcatel did a fine job with the Idol 5. The handset is attractive, made from quality materials, and delivers the right mix of value for the dollar.

I'm keen on the metal chassis and svelte glass that give the Idol 5 its classy personality. The full HD display is very pretty. I wish data performance were a little better and calls sounded cleaner, but the stereo speakers are great for music and video. Battery life is adequate.

The Android interface is really nice, and Alcatel added some cool twists with the reversible user interface and more flexible Now Key. The camera app offers some powerful tools and yet the under-powered processor and limited RAM cause it to stumble a bit. Thankfully the pictures look pretty good.

The Alcatel Idol 5 finds itself in an odd spot in Cricket's lineup. Most Cricket devices range between $50 and $150. The Idol 5 is the most expensive non-flagship at $200. If you prefer a compact metal design to a large plastic one, the Idol 5 delivers big. You can eke out a bit more performance from the less expensive ZTE Blade X Max, but you'll lose some portability.

I'd recommend the Idol 5 to those who idolize a premium feel on a budget.

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Alcatel Idol 5

5.2" display FHD+ resolution
MediaTek Helio P20 processor 2 GB RAM
2,850 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Headphone Jack (3.5mm), NFC

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