Monday, April 27, 2015 at 12:20PM

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Idol 3 is designed to be able to run in reversible mode. This means that thanks to the dual speakers and mics you can pick it up any way you want and the display and even the front-facing camera will adjust to fit whichever way you are holding the phone.

I’ve been using the new Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 and I am impressed. It is one of the thinnest and lightest 5.5-inch phablet category smartphones I’ve used and it runs Android Lollipop like a champ.

While Alcatel’s been known for cheap, practical smartphones, they’ve outdone themselves with the Idol 3, which offers many flagship features in a sleek and impressive package. The Alcatel Idol 3 hits some of the major hallmarks that users look for in a flagship device and it does so at a fraction of the price of the competition.

A 5.5-inch Full-HD IPS display (1920x1080) looks stunning and is as good as anything that HTC, Samsung or LG have released. There’s the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Octa-Core processor, 2GB of RAM and a whopping 13-megapxiel camera with a Sony sensor that’s got a F/2.0 aperture.

Features that stood out for me were the dual stereo JBL speakers plus the 2910 mAh battery with a 13-hour talk time.

This is the sort of smartphone-enthusiast focused device we’d expect to see from the likes of OnePlus. In fact, various specs of the OnePlus One and the Alcatel Idol 3 are quite comparable with the Idol 3 being readily available and generally more affordable for consumers for an SRT of US $ 279.00. Available for preorder now, the Onetouch Idol 3 ships in May.

Form and Function





At first glance, the Alcatel Idol 3 looks rather unremarkable. It’s got a plastic, metal and glass construction and can be easily mistaken for a larger Samsung Galaxy S4. Closer inspection reveals various clever design touches.

The brush cut effect on the of the rear plastic back plate looks and feels like satin, it is understated but adds a bit of texture and a unique look. The zero-gap display is covered by Dragontrail reinforced glass, which is known for thinness and superior scratch resistance.

There are only three physical buttons including a volume rocker and a power button, the design is both minimalist and elegant but not necessarily striking.

The rounded corners of the Idol 3 also make it easier to hold, one-handed use is manageable for users with larger hands.

The dual JBL Stereo speakers are neatly tucked in at the top and bottom and do a decent job of pumping out stereo sound. I enjoyed this the most while using the Idol 3 to watch videos, access Netflix as well as watching the Raptors get swept during the first round of the NBA playoffs through my Sling player.

Loudness and quality of music using Spotify or TuneIn radio was similarly impressive and there’s also a built-in FM radio, which is always welcome.

The biggest surprise for me was that the Idol 3 comes with Android Lollipop which makes moving all my apps from my previous Android, dead easy. There’s very little in the way of overlays to diminish performance here and even Alcatel’s built-in themes and icons are friction-free in that they don’t get in the way of the experience.

After a few days, I felt I was back using a Nexus 6, but in a much smaller and lighter form-factor. The Idol 3 is eminently more portable and lighter than many competing and more expensive devices.

Reverse Flash

The Idol 3 is designed to be able to run in reversible mode. This means that thanks to the dual speakers and mics you can pick it up any way you want and the display and even the front-facing camera will adjust to fit whichever way you are holding the phone.

This means that when you have reversible mode activated and turns the phone upside-down; the entire user interface flips over to accommodate the way you are holding it. It is a simple, but clever feature that should have been incorporated in smartphones ages ago.

Another simple and clever feature is how Alcatel managed to incorporate the SIM Card slot and the microSD card slot into one tray; again it is simple but makes for good design that’s both convenient and economical.

“We’ve always differentiated ourselves by challenging the expectations of what consumers experience for their money,” said Steve Cistulli, Senior Vice President & General Manager of North America for Alcatel Onetouch. “With Idol 3, we’ve partnered with top brands like Qualcomm, JBL and Technicolor to bring a truly flagship experience at an accessibly affordable price. Where others try to justify outrageous prices for their top devices, we’re focused on ensuring our customers get a device with the high-end features they want, at a price that won’t empty their wallet.”

Tip of the hat to Alcatel for really creating something special with the Onetouch Idol 3, I'm all for affordable yet powerful smartphones that are practical and can save consumers hundreds of dollars.

The camera on the Idol 3 is above average and can take very good pictures in most situations and seems to be fast to focus. I’ve to test this feature under a range of conditions, but have been pleased by the detail and colour that the camera managed to capture.

Conclusion

Designed to be sold as an unlocked device, the Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 looks and feels like an Android flagship device that’s comparable to more expensive 5.5-inch Android devices.

A clutter free user interface, full access to Lollipop apps and features as well as a great camera, processor and dual speakers as well as the 1080p HD display will meet and even surpass expectations of users looking for an unlocked and LTE-capable Android phone.

Rating: 4.5 out 5