Alcatel Idol 3
Cricket Wireless to Sell Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
Cricket Wireless today announced that it will offer the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 beginning Nov. 6. The handset will cost $149.99 with a new activation. The Idol 3 has been for sale in the U.S. since April, but this marks the first time it will be sold by a carrier. The Idol 3 has a 5.5-inch full HD screen and octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The phone boasts stereo JBL speakers with Clarify processing and 1.2W amplifiers. The main camera uses a 13-megapixel Sony sensor that includes a variety of modes and video-capture tools. The phone has an 8-megapixel user-facing camera with wide-angle lens. Connectivity options include LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio, GPS, and WiFi. The Idol 3 has a 2,910mAh battery and supports microSD cards up to 128 GB. The Cricket Wireless variant of the phone integrates the Deezer music streaming service with Alcatel's Mix deejay application. Idol 3 owners can listen to their Deezer playlists directly from Mix and add effects, transition songs, sync, mix, scratch, or insert samples. The Idol 3 runs Android.
Alcatel Pushing Performance Update to Idol 3
Alcatel OneTouch today began delivering a system update to the 5.5-inch version of the Idol 3 smartphone. The improved system fixes bugs in the Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and the Camera FV-5 apps; and also adds support for IPv6 and improves the general performance and responsiveness of the phone. The update can be installed over the air.
Alcatel Bringing Smaller Idol 3 to US and Canada
Alcatel OneTouch today announced that it will soon sell the 4.7-inch version of its Idol 3 flagship in the U.S. and Canada. The Idol 3 4.7 shares virtually all features with the larger 5.5-inch model, which has been available since May. As the name implies, the screen measures 4.7 inches across the diagonal and it has 720p HD resolution. The phone is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The Idol 3 4.7 has stereo JBL speakers with Clarify processing, and each speaker has its own dedicated 1.2W amplifier for full sound. The phone is reversible, meaning it can be held in any orientation and the user interface will rotate accordingly. The main camera uses a Sony sensor that rates 13 megapixels. It includes a variety of modes and video-capture options. The user-facing camera captures 5-megapixel images. Wireless radios include LTE for AT&T and T-Mobile, Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio, GPS, and WiFi. The Idol 3 4.7 supports microSD cards up to 128GB. The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 will be available unlocked from Alcatel's web site and Amazon.com on Friday, Aug. 14. The retail price is $179.99.
Alcatel Says Security Patch for Idol 3 Due August 10
Alcatel OneTouch today said it will issue a software update for the Idol 3 to repair a security problem on or around August 10. The fix will be pushed to U.S. users first and will include a Google security patch for the Stagefright vulnerability.
Alcatel Pushing Maintenance Update to Idol 3
Alcatel OneTouch today said owners of the Idol 3 can expect to see an over-the-air update reach their phone in the coming days. The update makes refinements to the camera app and double-tap-to-unlock feature, and makes other general performance improvements. The update is free to install.
Alcatel Launches Idol 3 Pre-Sale At Discounted $199 Price
Alcatel OneTouch today kicked off a limited pre-sale for the Idol 3 smartphone that drops the price by $50. The pre-sale starts immediately and runs through 11:59pm Pacific Time on April 20. Customers who order the phone during this initial pre-sale window will pay only $199.99 for the phone. After the pre-sale ends, Alcatel will begin accepting standard pre-orders on April 21 at the regular price of $249.99. Alcatel said the Idol 3 will ship in mid-May. The phone, which is compatible with the GSM networks operated by AT&T and T-Mobile, is being sold unlocked.
Alcatel's Idol 3 Phablet Ships In May for $249
Alcatel OneTouch today revealed availability details for its Idol 3 flagship smartphone. Consumers will be able to pre-order the phone directly from Alcatel's web site beginning April 21 for $249. Alcatel said orders will ship in May. The Idol 3 comes in two sizes — 5.5 inches and 4.7 inches — but Alcatel is only offering the larger of the two at this time. The Idol 3 (5.5) has a full HD screen and octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The processor includes four cores at 1.5GHz and four cores at 1.0GHz. The Idol 3 has stereo JBL speakers with Clarify processing and 1.2W amplifiers. The phone is reversible, meaning it can be held in any orientation and the user interface will rotate accordingly. The main camera uses a 13-megapixel Sony sensor that includes a variety of modes and video-capture tools. The phone has an 8-megapixel user-facing camera with wide-angle lens. Connectivity options include LTE and HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio, GPS, and WiFi. The Idol 3 has a 2,910mAh battery and supports microSD cards up to 128 GB. It is being sold unlocked and is compatible with GSM networks. Alcatel didn't say if or when the 4.7-inch model will be made available.
Hands-On: Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
Alcatel's new flagship Android smartphones impress with their features, build quality, and cost. Here are Phone Scoop's first impressions of these mid-market killers.
Alcatel OneTouch Aims High with Idol 3 Flagship
Alcatel OneTouch today announced the Idol 3, its global flagship series for 2015. The Idol 3 series encompasses two handsets, one with a 4.7-inch display and another with a 5.5-inch display. The phones share many features, such as the design, which features a thin-and-light look with a polycarbonate edge polished to a chrome-like finish and a back cover that mimics brushed metal. The Idol 3 packs stereo JBL speakers with Clarify processing, and each has its own dedicated 1.2W amplifier for full sound. The phones are reversible, meaning they can be held in any orientation and the user interface will rotate accordingly. The main camera uses a Sony sensor that rates 13 megapixels. It includes a variety of modes and video-capture options. Connectivity options include LTE and HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio, GPS, and WiFi. The Idol 3 devices support microSD cards up to 128GB.
- Idol 3 (5.5): The larger of the two has a full HD screen and octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The processor includes four cores at 1.5GHz and four cores at 1.0GHz. This phone has an 8-megapixel user-facing camera with wide-angle lens, and a 2,910mAh battery. The retail price is $249.
- Idol 3 (4.7): This model is more compact and includes a 720p HD screen. It features a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The phone has a 5-megapixel user-facing camera and a 2,000mAh battery. The retail price is $199.
