Alcatel 7 Review: A decent budget phone with one main defect

There are not many good budget phones in the United States. There are a few shocks, such as Nokia 6.1 and Moto G6, but most of them are pale compared to the budgets sold in Asia and parts of Europe.

Alcatel, the TCL sub -brand, is somewhat known in the United States thanks to the inexpensive phone legs it sells through prepaid transport companies (such as Metropcs and Cracit). The company’s phones are usually not unique, but the recently announced Alcatel 7 raised my attention.

Alcatel 7 has a 2.5D 2160×1080 6-inch screen, 4000 mAh battery and USB Type-C. At the price of $ 179.99, it appears to be a good value on paper, although it is exclusive Metropcs. In fact, it is a medium budget phone with one major defect.

Specifications

Goodness

Not very good

Design, devices, what is in the box

First of all, Alcatel 7 is well designed. The back, sides, and all buttons are plastic, while the front is a glass of manufacture. However, it is not a cheap phone – there is no flexible or raging. Plastic construction makes the phone somewhat light, at 6.17 ounces only (0.4 pounds).

There is an ALCATEL 7 main gravitational introduction – 2180 x 1080 LCD screen, with a transverse rate of 18: 9. I have no complaints with the screen; The accuracy is perfect, the colors are good, and it can become somewhat bright. Watch the media on Alcatel 7 definitely not leave you.

The left side of the phone has a microSD/SIM card, and the right has energy buttons and its size. Below is the USB Type-C conductor, which is still rare on phones of $ 200. At the top there is a headphone socket, along with something that you don’t see on many phones in the United States – infrared amplifier.

Glossy plastic is not good. never.

“One major defect” referred to in the title is Alcatel 7 rear cover. It is plastic, and it is good on its own, but this Super bright Plastic. It is a fingerprint magnet and is also vulnerable to scratches. Just a few weeks after using this phone, you already see defects on the corners. What is the purpose of the glossy back if it will develop fingerprints, stamps and scratches with normal use?

In the box, you can get the phone, charging bricks, a USB Type-C cable, and a quick start guide. Alcatel says on the Internet that the retail version comes with headphones inside the ear, but it has not been included in my review sample.

Software, performance and battery life

When moving to devices inside, Alcatel 7 has a model specifications of a $ 200 device. The Mediaatek MT6736TA processor (which is a mouth processor) is quickly, and 2 GB RAM is enough for multiple typical tasks. There are 32 GB of internal storage, with support for MicroSD cards up to 128 GB.

Aside from the screen, my favorite feature in Alcatel 7 is the large battery of 4000 mAh per hour. I finished regularly today with a 50-70 % battery stay. In one case, leave the phone 60 % after 3.5 hours of time on the screen. Alcatel 7 will easily continue for most people on one charge.

For programs, this phone is often building from Android 8.1 Oreo. The only main disk is for system applications – the calculator application contains currency transfers, there are customized applications and file managers, and so on.

Really, Metropcs?

Pre -installed Metropcs apps are actually the worst part of the program’s experience. There is one called “Metrozone”, which features local news, weather and entertainment. I had no interest in using it, but a popup told me that its experience appeared while listening to the podcast. Nothing is better than random mail software!

camera

The camera on Alcatel 7 is moderate at best. In bright areas (outdoors), image quality is similar to other phones in this price range. The contrast is not great, but this is specific. In low -light areas, quality is less than a shelf – more than other budget phones that you have tried. If you are in a room without windows, you will do so no Get a good picture.

Another main problem with Alcatel 7 is image processing. Each image has the same effect as the “watercolor” that was common on OnePlus phones (especially 5 and 5T). It is particularly noticeable on the pictures of grass, shrubs and other plants – the edges blocked until it looks like a Van Gogh plate.

Should you buy one?

Maybe not. LCD size 2180 x 1080 is the only prominent feature in Alcatel 7, and the only reason that anyone should buy. The battery life is good, but the same applies to many other budget phones. The camera and programs are not anything you write about home.

The shiny plastic back is the worst part of this phone. It will always To be covered with fingerprints and stains, regardless of the number of times you wash your hands, and I already see scratches after a few weeks of use. Obviously, you can get a condition, but it should not be a problem at first.

Alcatel 7 currently costs 9.99 from Metropcs. Moto G6 is $ 40, and although it does not have a great design, it is also opened and works on all American transport companies (full review here). Nokia $ 3.1 is worth $ 160 a little cheaper and is better designed, but it does not have a fingerprint sensor and only works on GSM (full review here).

Purchase it if:

You really want a big screen, you are on Metropcs, and don’t care about the shiny back.

Do not buy it if:

You are not on Metropcs and you love your phones no It is covered in fingerprints.