The Alcatel OneTouch Pop S3 offers a 4G smartphone within 150 €. A particularly attractive price that should attract heavy data users. Trap or boon? Answer at the end of the flash test.
Reserved for the most complete packages for its launch, the 4G has been invited in the low-cost offers. Progress is obviously similar side smartphones. Compatible models are increasing below 200 euros through Wiko, Archos, ZTE, Motorola or Samsung. Alcatel OneTouch down even lower well with the Pop S3.
Announced by Alcatel 149 euro, but offered € 129 in most retailers, the Alcatel OneTouch Pop S3 stands as the most affordable model in the 4G category. But the manufacturer is not got there without some sacrifices. Obviously remains to be seen if he has made the right choices and find the right dosages. To do this, first of all start by taking a look at the main features of the smartphone:
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) 4 inch
quad-core Snapdragon processor 400 1.2GHz
Adreno 305 GPU
1GB RAM
4GB of internal memory (plus microSD)
5 megapixel camera with LED Flash
VGA webcam
4G connectivity, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
2000 mAh battery
dimensions: 123 x 64.4 x 9.85 mm
Weight: 130 grams
Small and colorful
The Alcatel One Touch Pop S3 does not particularly stand out for its design. Its rectangular shape is reminiscent of many other models. The front is largely occupied by the screen, stuck between Android navigation keys down and webcam, proximity sensors / brightness, speaker and LED top notification. The unit is protected by a large window rather sensitive to fingerprints, but the white background camouflages well. We can not say the same at the back.
For if the smartphone comes with a white hull, others are included in the package. They are six in number (counting white) and will bring a touch of color to all yellow, blue, red, pink or gray. Finally, a touch ... or even a little more because they come back to the slices for framing the front. They therefore include the volume buttons (left) and Start (top). Several openings are also present: microUSB port on the bottom, 3.5mm jack on the top, camera, flash and speaker on the back.
It will also remove the cover in place to access the battery and the SIM and microSD slots. Alcatel OneTouch damage did not think to include a system to facilitate this task often tedious, hood holding up very well. No game to report between the latter and the structure of the smartphone, or anywhere else for that matter. This clean assembly obviously contributes to the pleasure this little smartphone hands.
The screen at stake!
On, the S3 Pop is no more remarkable. Although acceptable, its 4-inch screen does not exceed our expectations. In a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, it reaches a resolution of 233 dpi. Enough to not irritate the retina, but not really to indulge in the joys of surfing on the internet. The little characters are unreadable. And, as long as you are in the sun, it's the whole screen. Be viewing angles, but the sides open very little upwards and downwards. A screen as good as bad, depending on usage and conditions.
Android still outdated but accompanied
New disappointment, Android comes in Version 4.3 Jelly Bean. We would have preferred the latest version, KitKat, yet launched there more than six months. The overlay that accompanies it is however nice and makes several small significant improvements. At the home screen, first with the addition of widgets and two panel operation rather unusual: one displays photos in full screen, the other hosts widgets beyond the limit of the screen and adds vertical navigation. A shortcut has also been added for quick access to the list of applications. Simply scanning the screen upwards.
We also find a little more colorful notification center, but otherwise conventional with the usual quick adjustments and a multitasking manager neat appearance. An interesting option also appeared in Settings. It reduces the startup time. Other features are to be found in the application offers since, in addition to the usual tools support, backup and synchronization, Alcatel OneTouch also pre-install many applications.
There's something for everyone. Addicts messages and social networks will be delighted to find the Swiftkey keyboard (to improve their typing speed) as well as Facebook, Twitter and Viber. Students and professionals alike to find Adobe Reader and OfficeSuite to view and edit their documents. Several Gameloft games are also included, but only in demo. The Play Store is obviously there to download new applications. Emphasize however that the storage space is limited to just under 2GB for the user. Invest in an SD card will probably essential for many.
Power more than it takes
Another positive point navigation is fluid although it is possible that some slowdowns occur when too many programs open. Nothing insurmountable, especially since you will hardly find better elsewhere. Pop S3 not ashamed to face her even slightly more upscale competitors. Like most 4G models below € 200, it is based on a Snapdragon 400 (CPU quad-core Cortex-A7 1.2 + GHz GPU Adreno 305) Alcatel OneTouch had the good idea to accompany one GB of RAM.
Decode Full HD videos up (excluding MKV), perform 2D or 3D games or surfing the internet, all these tasks are within the reach of Pop S3. Finally, the limitations come first from the other components: the screen is too small and ill-defined does not always enjoy the pleasures of media, like his rather average output. And that's clearly not all. For unknown reasons, some games are not compatible, like Dead Trigger 2 ...
Forget the beautiful pictures to share on the web!
Now we come to an even more difficult issue: the photo. Alcatel OneTouch merely a 5-megapixel sensor coupled to an optical fixed focus (no autofocus, so) and an LED Flash. As always, the software comes with is not particularly provided options and put more on ease of use with predefined settings: Night, Sport, HDR, Panorama and Smile.
Not surprisingly, the results are bad. Softness. Dull colors. Mismanagement of light (overexposure / underexposure). The HDR mode will not change that. Flash either. Fortunately, it is possible to hide these flaws with the editor provided as offers him, many settings and effects.
Too unbalanced
The Alcatel OneTouch Pop S3 suffers from an unbalanced data sheet. Almost flawless in terms of performance and connectivity with 4G compatibility (he still lacks the NFC, if we quibble), its screen may quickly build a user cramped. It will also mention the beautiful photos and videos to share to impress friends.
Obviously, we can not ask any smartphone at € 129 and some will be content. For others, perhaps it is better to add a few euros and offer 45 Helium Archos, Galaxy Core 4G Samsung Soshphone the 4G or the Grand S Flex ZTE. Proposals abound. Alternatively, make a cross on 4G. It's all a question of priorities ...
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