Alcatel TouchPor 2. Information about other important connectivity technologies supported by your device

Companies that, as a result of a merger or acquisition, become owners of a recognizable and popular brand can dispose of the inheritance in different ways. Some of them don’t really know what to do with the acquisition, which is why the once popular brand is slowly losing market share and disappearing into the distant and happy past. This is roughly how the situation with the former leader, Nokia, is developing. After it was acquired by Microsoft Corporation, smartphones from the Finnish manufacturer can be found less and less often in real life. But Alcatel was luckier.

After several major mergers, the rights to the brand ended up with the Chinese TCL, which is very actively promoting smartphones on the market produced by the joint venture TAMP (TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phones Limited). Review Alcatel One Touch POP 2 5032d, which you are reading now, is not a eulogy to the once legendary brand, as skeptics might assume, but an attempt to understand whether it is possible to step into the same river twice. Or, if you prefer, proof that if a manufacturer is not ready to be satisfied with past achievements and carefully listens to the opinions of consumers, everything should work out for him. Therefore, we decided that reviews of the alcatel one touch pop 2 5042d would be no less relevant than an analysis of the technical characteristics or a comparison of the new product with its closest competitors. Agree: the opinion about a phone expressed by an ordinary person sometimes means more when choosing one than several professional reviews.

Scope of delivery and intended market positioning

We have already mentioned several times that you can’t count on any additional goodies when buying even a high-end smartphone these days. And our today’s hero confirms this: the buyer will not find anything unnecessary in the box. A standard power supply with an output current of 1A, a micro-USB cable, headphones and terse instructions. All! You can forget about the included memory card, driver disc, or coupon for downloading the game from Google Market. Such savings can be explained, but if previously unpacking a newly purchased gadget was almost a holiday, now it has turned into a routine and unremarkable operation.

With the target audience, the question is not as simple as it seems. On the one hand, they are asking only 5,500 rubles for a smartphone, which clearly hints at its budget status with all the ensuing consequences. On the other hand, the frankly cheap or unsightly Alcatel One Touch pop 2 does not seem to exist, and the future owner of the device will be protected from an inferiority complex. Consequently, the manufacturer offers us an inexpensive, but by no means budget smartphone, designed for a relatively wide audience. This is also facilitated by the calm and discreet design, the quality of the materials used and general impression from newness, which usually forms in the first 2–3 hours.

Display and design features

Why did we decide to place the main emphasis on the screen, and consider the hardware characteristics required by the state in passing? Agree, the type of processor used, the amount of RAM and other technical parameters are not always of interest to the average person, and if a smartphone is more or less adequately capable of performing everyday tasks, talking about the speed of the chip will only be of interest to an enthusiastic amateur.

In Alcatel One Touch pop 2, the designers used a regular TFT screen, rightly judging that IPS technology has no place in a budget device. The display resolution is only 854 x 480 pixels, which can be a problem with a screen diagonal of 4.5 inches. If you try hard, you can see individual points, and straight lines will turn into a stepped ladder. Moreover, the TN matrix is ​​physically unable to provide the number of colors stated in the specifications, when any deviation from a strictly vertical angle results in fading of one part of the screen and a sharp violation of the accuracy of the shades of another.

Such a display will not add popularity points to a smartphone, but in ordinary life the situation does not seem so dire. In the end, in this price range one way or another you have to make compromises, and for calls or browsing the Internet, color accuracy is not so important. Especially considering the stated price.

Photographic Opportunities

They didn’t get greedy here, so the owners of Alcatel One Touch pop 2 can with a clear conscience save 50–100 dollars on buying a budget point-and-shoot camera. Our today’s hero shoots very, very well, especially if you take care of more or less decent lighting. The smartphone camera clearly does not reach the level of Sony or HTC, but the difference is noticeable only when directly compared in specialized programs.

Landscapes and still lifes are good for the new product, but defects and artifacts begin to appear when shooting in low light conditions. You can see some sample photos below, but we really liked them. And you can not pay any attention to the belief that has spread in recent years, according to which a smartphone should take pictures no worse than a professional SLR camera.

Examples of photographs using the Alcatel One Touch POP 2 5032d camera

Alcatel One Touch POP 2 5032d shoots very well Even under artificial lighting, photos are bright and clear
The situation is a little worse in low light conditions Landscapes and still lifes are good for the new product
Photos of text are clear and not blurry

Communication and communication capabilities

If certain items of expenditure are cut, then much more money remains for other items. And if, when developing a new product, the choice of display type was carried out on a residual basis, then they did not skimp on communications. How such an inexpensive smartphone was able to support all existing standards is unclear, but the fact remains. Alcatel One Touch pop 2 works in networks of 2, 3 and 4 generations and is capable of exchanging information via Wi-Fi b, g and n standards. Also available are Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi Direct.

For an inexpensive smartphone, such omnivorousness is amazing. Therefore, the label that was awarded to the new product immediately after the announcement of criticism is nothing more than nitpicking. The model keeps excellent communication in almost any conditions and boasts support for 4G networks. A similar set of capabilities is rarely found in much more expensive smartphones, so Alcatel’s brainchild cannot be accused of inferiority.

Hardware platform

It would be wrong to completely ignore issues related to performance, so let’s briefly touch on the hardware. The smartphone does not have the fastest processor from Qualcomm (Snapdragon 410) and only 1 GB of RAM. Even taking into account the fact that the chip is 4-core, you can’t count on anything special. It was released at the end of 2013 and has become quite outdated, but for undemanding users its capabilities are more than enough. But the meager savings on memory can no longer be logically explained and justified.

The smartphone does not have the fastest processor from Qualcomm

Additional information

General characteristics

Screen

Calls

Multimedia capabilities

Connection

Memory and processor

Messages

Other functions

Notebook and organizer

Accelerometer(or G-sensor) - sensor of the device’s position in space. As a main function, the accelerometer is used to automatically change the orientation of the image on the display (vertical or horizontal). Also, G-sensor is used as a pedometer, it can be controlled various functions device by turning or shaking.
Gyroscope- a sensor that measures rotation angles relative to a fixed coordinate system. Capable of measuring rotation angles in several planes simultaneously. A gyroscope together with an accelerometer allows you to accurately determine the position of the device in space. Devices that use only accelerometers have lower measurement accuracy, especially when moving quickly. Also, the capabilities of the gyroscope can be used in modern games for mobile devices.
Light sensor- a sensor that sets the optimal brightness and contrast values ​​for a given light level. The presence of a sensor allows you to increase the battery life of the device.
Proximity sensor- a sensor that detects when the device is close to your face during a call, turns off the backlight and locks the screen, preventing accidental clicks. The presence of a sensor allows you to increase the battery life of the device.
Geomagnetic sensor- a sensor for determining the direction of the world in which the device is directed. Tracks the orientation of the device in space relative to the magnetic poles of the Earth. The information received from the sensor is used in mapping programs for terrain orientation.
Atmospheric pressure sensor- sensor for precise measurement of atmospheric pressure. It is part of the GPS system, allows you to determine altitude above sea level and speed up location determination.
Touch ID- fingerprint identification sensor.

Accelerometer / Geomagnetic / Light / Proximity

Satellite navigation:

GPS(Global Positioning System - global positioning system) - satellite system navigation, providing measurement of distance, time, speed and determining the location of objects anywhere on the Earth. The system is developed, implemented and operated by the US Department of Defense. The basic principle of using the system is to determine location by measuring distances to an object from points with known coordinates - satellites. The distance is calculated by the delay time of signal propagation from sending it by the satellite to receiving it by the antenna of the GPS receiver.
GLONASS(Global Navigation Satellite System) - Soviet and Russian satellite navigation system, developed by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense. The measurement principle is similar to the American GPS navigation system. GLONASS is designed for operational navigation and timing support for land, sea, air and space-based users. The main difference from the GPS system is that GLONASS satellites in their orbital motion do not have resonance (synchrony) with the rotation of the Earth, which provides them with greater stability.

Alcatel POP 2 5042D, which we will talk about today, is a continuation of the line called One Touch. This Chinese device is sold locally Russian Federation for only five thousand rubles.

Briefly about technical characteristics

Later we will talk about the parameters of the Alcatel POP 2 5042D in more detail, but now we will look at the fundamental points. You could say the cornerstones on which this device is based. So, for a price of 5 thousand rubles, we do not get the newest software shell (“Android” 4.4), not the largest amount of RAM (1 GB) and not the highest quality screen. Time battery life The device will not please us either, the battery is designed for only 2,000 milliamps per hour. But the communication capabilities of the Alcatel POP 2 5042D are fine. Nevertheless, who will look at the set of communications if they will not allow you to use the device for a long time? But first things first.

Display

It's safe to say that the screen is the part of the smartphone where you encounter the most noticeable paradox. On the one hand, the Alcatel POP 2 5042D is equipped with a TFT matrix, which today has the worst display quality. It is easily overtaken by IPS, but we don’t even have to talk about AMOLED and S-AMOLED.

Key indicators

So, POP 2 5042D has a screen resolution of 480 by 854 pixels with a diagonal of 4.5 inches. Calculations indicate that the pixel density is 240 pixels per inch. If the manufacturer installed an IPS matrix in the screen rather than a TFT one, this would be noticeable progress and could greatly change the rating of the device. Nevertheless, the TFT matrix, or rather its installation, is a kind of payment here for the low cost of the device. Actually, there is another justification for using TFT: low battery capacity. Such a matrix will consume charge more efficiently than the same IPS.

Color rendition

It is pleasantly surprising that the screen does not give off excessively blue tints, as is the case with many budget solutions. In general, the color rendering of the POP 2 5042D is good; it is at a good level. There is an almost crystal clear white color here, for which I would like to thank the developers. And this is even at low brightness levels. Yes, of course, there were some errors. For example, in small text you may notice blurring of fine lines, and when you turn the device into a vertical plane, the color scheme will be distorted. But can the opponents of the Alcatel One Touch POP 2 5042D, belonging to the same category, boast anything else? price category? Hardly.

Additional modules and functions

More Alcatel smartphone equipped with a light sensor that allows you to adjust the screen backlight level according to automatic mode. Considering that not all models costing seven thousand rubles have this function (and even those costing ten thousand rubles, oddly enough), you can be happy about such a set. By the way, the Alcatel smartphone changes the brightness level without any jerks, doing everything softly, smoothly and gradually.

The developers have added a rather interesting solution to the device. Like Lumiya, the device can be either woken up from sleep mode or brought back into sleep mode by double tapping the display. When you “awaken” it will immediately open home screen, and the lockscreen will be skipped. The same can be done exactly the opposite.

Camera

Alcatel POP 2 5042D, the price of which is about five thousand Russian rubles, is equipped with two cameras. The main one has a resolution of five megapixels. The front one is more modest, only two megapixels. The main module is complemented by the function of automatic focusing on the subject, and there is an LED flash. However, you shouldn’t place a huge bet on it, since it copes with its tasks (due to low power) very, very mediocrely.

Inconsistencies

By the way, problems were identified with the front camera. The previously provided information about two megapixels was received from developers and company officials. However, multiple tests carried out using a special software, showed that there is only 0.3 MP. We won’t notice any special settings, there are only two of them: activating/turning off the night mode and creating four photos in a row. The compression algorithm is good and allows you to save space on your phone. It is possible that the company initially planned from 0.3 to 2 megapixels, but for some reason decided not to do this. For those who are not experienced in selfies, the result will still be acceptable.

What about the main camera?

The Alcatel POP 2 5042D, the firmware for which will optimize the operation of the operating system, has a fairly good main camera. Despite its five megapixels, in good lighting it produces really high-quality images. In parallel with how the light level drops, the quality will also deteriorate, but this seems quite logical. Automatic focusing not only works quickly, but also competently; you won’t be able to dig into the process or results.

Software part

The work of software and hardware that corrects results in the creation of good pictures. Even without setting advanced settings, you can take high-quality photos in almost any type of lighting. When shooting faces, the user can enjoy a slight shift in the spectrum towards warmer tones. This parameter has almost no effect on other scenarios, so it can be assessed positively. There is a macro mode. It will not provide perfect results. Nevertheless, lovers of shooting flowers and other objects can safely count on it.

Macro

What can you say about photos with text? In principle, it is unlikely that you will be able to boast about any extraordinary achievements. But the necessary level is still present. If you take a photo of an A4 page, the text on it will be easy to read even without special scaling. However, readability will decrease in proportion to the reduction in letter size. Alcatel POP 2 5042D, the characteristics of which are listed at the beginning of the review, does not allow good shooting at night. Even though it has flash. Its only sensible purpose is to use it as a flashlight.

Practical use

If you are an active user, then you will definitely have to purchase a case for the Alcatel POP 2 5042D, so as not to damage the case and not wash the coating. We have already talked about the operation of the display, so there is no point in repeating ourselves. You can look at the topic of communications, which will probably be more interesting for those who are planning to use a smartphone for its intended purpose. That is, actively communicate in social networks, browse the Internet and call your loved ones.

So, in the fourth generation cellular network the device works quite quickly. It immediately “clings” to the coating. Considering the price of the device, this is even a little surprising in a pleasant way, of course. The signal indicator shows impressive information. In general, the device switches from the third to the fourth generation and back very quickly. And it really makes me happy. It is clear that in this case there can be no complaints about the quality of data transmission. No problem here.

Wireless networks and speakers

Wi-Fi module sensitivity high level, there are no complaints against him. I was pleased with the fast and accurate GPS work. There is an A-GPS add-on, which once again makes it easier to work with satellite maps of the area. Coupled with a good “hook” of the smartphone for the coverage of cellular networks, these parameters provide an excellent opportunity to use the device as a communicator. The radio part was done superbly, you can’t argue with that.

As for the sound, this part of the subject of our today's review is the very fly in the ointment. It becomes a kind of rehabilitation. The multimedia speaker is far from perfect. Hissing and crackling - these are its main shortcomings. There is nothing else to highlight, but this “sweet couple” is enough, as they say, for the eyes. Probably in this direction Alcatel One should go with an eye to the ingenious solutions of the Beeline company, where there is no multimedia speaker, and its role is played by a universal hearing aid.

The smartphone is not much higher than the budget level, but it has two SIM cards, LTE support and a price of 4,990 rubles. in the MTS (RTK) salon. The device is quite balanced and without serious shortcomings, for enthusiasts fast internet good.

I asked MTS to “drive” this miracle, being interested in the price and availability of LTE support. Whatever you say, buying something modern with LTE is cheaper than 6,000 rubles. not so simple. Moreover, in the current difficult times. We do not consider deliveries from the Celestial Empire for many reasons, the main one now being the proximity of the New Year holidays. Time to collect and scatter gifts, and not communicate with Russian Post. And this POP2 also has a second SIM card as a bonus and the characteristics are not frankly dull.

Specifications

• Full name: Alcatel OneTouch POP 2 5042D
• Operating system: Android KitKat 4.4.4
• SIM cards: 2 slots, microSIM, do not work simultaneously
• Screen: 4.5 inches, TFT, 16.78 million colors, 480x854, pixel density 240 ppi
• Cameras: main 5 MP with autofocus, front 0.3 MP.
• Processor: quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, 1.2 GHz.
• Memory: 8 GB built-in (5 GB available), 1 GB RAM.
• Memory card slot: microSD up to 32 GB.
• SIM card 1: Support 2G/3G/4G (LTE), 2G bands 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, 3G 850/900/1900/2100 MHz, 4G LTE Bands 1/3/7/8/20
• SIM card 2: Support 2G (GSM only), bands 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, USB
• Navigation: GPS, A-GPS
• Battery: 2,000 mAh
• Dimensions and weight: 65.4 x 132.5 x 9.95 mm, 147 g.

Dot the i's

ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP 2, manufactured by TCT Mobile Limited (China). The price of the device is 4,990 rubles. Two SIM cards, microSIM format. Operating system – Android KitKat 4.4.4. Processor - quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, 1.2 GHz. 8 GB built-in memory (5 GB available), RAM – 1 GB. MicroSD slot up to 32 GB. TFT screen 4.5 inches, resolution – 480 x 854, pixel density – 240 ppi. Battery – 2,000 mAh.

Support 2G/3G/4G (LTE), bands 2G 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, 3G 850/900/1900/2100 MHz, 4G LTE Bands 1/3/7/8/20. The SIM card in the second slot only works in GSM. Main camera 5 MP with autofocus, front camera 2 MP. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, FM radio available, only via external antenna(headphones/headset).

SIM-lock is not installed, of the additional shells only Celltick Start (start shell) is installed. Light, proximity, direction and magnetic compass sensors, automatic brightness adjustment is available. Weight - 147 g, plastic, standard design, available in four colors: black, white, green and lemon.

Positioning

While it is determined by the very fact that the device has LTE support, the smartphone is of interest to those who want to try new technologies without serious “investments.” Today, the minimum price of a smartphone with LTE is more than 6,000 rubles, the closest analogue is Explay Air, its price is 6 100 rub. Yandex Market found it only in one store (i.e., it’s not a fact that it’s available at that price), in other stores it’s closer to 7,000 rubles. But this Explay Air has one SIM card and half the internal memory. In terms of price (6,000 rubles), the Alcatel POP S3 is relatively close, but it has a 4-inch screen, so it’s hard to consider it a competitor.

The time is probably not too far off when LTE will no longer be considered a “premium” feature and will appear in most smartphones. I still remember the times of the first phones with 3G, which cost significantly more than their analogues, but now without 3G there are only very simple “dialers”. The same will happen with LTE, but for now you have to pay for techno-happiness. Our Alcatel is the first sign in the “smartphone with LTE cheaper than 5,000 rubles” category, and I hope not the last.

As for the other fillings, it is far from top-level, but noticeably better than traditional budget devices. The smartphone is truly balanced, does not cause any particular complaints and will suit many as a universal solution. For those who consider 3G speeds to be more than sufficient for a smartphone, I can only repeat once again: happiness is not only in speed. LTE is much more responsive due to its fast response time, this is important not only for online games. The browser also behaves completely differently, you need to try it yourself. And, of course, on average LTE turns out to be three times faster, and there is no such thing as excess speed.

Equipment and design

The kit includes the smartphone itself, an adapter for an output current of 1 A (charges the smartphone in three hours), a connecting cable, a headset and a user manual. We have reached a time when a headset in a box is already perceived as a pleasant surprise. The memory card disappeared from the kits, presumably forever, but I don’t mind it. But getting a suitable headset can be more difficult.

The dimensions are comfortable, the stripes along the edges of the screen are narrow. Thanks to their small width, the smartphone is just a little larger than a device with a 4” screen and fits well in the hand. The back is cheap, smooth plastic, not even matte, I’m already silent about the soft touch. Fingerprints on the back are clearly visible. The design is emphatically “nothing”, nothing interesting. Well, okay, we are already accustomed to the technological simplicity of inexpensive devices. There are no multi-colored or “chrome” inserts. This time we were pleased with the variety of color options: the device is available in black, white, green and lemon. Someone already complained about the lack of cases for it, they adapted it from a Samsung S5, but the slot for the speaker did not match. Lately I’ve been seeing phones in cases more and more often, is it really convenient? However, it's a matter of taste.

Design

A traditional candy bar, packed tightly, a large but thin 2,000 mAh battery looks a little unusual. The camera eye does not protrude beyond the dimensions of the body. There are no complaints about the build quality, with the exception of the not entirely successful buttons. The device was already slightly open in the box, such a nice little thing.

The two slots for SIM cards are spaced apart and “look” in different directions, so you definitely won’t be able to confuse them. A microSD slot (supports cards up to 32 GB) is also inside. The microUSB socket is on the bottom edge, on the top there is a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones and a second microphone. The voice microphone is slightly to the right of the microUSB socket and will not be blocked by your palm or finger.

The volume rocker and power button are on the right side. In my opinion, they don’t perform enough, but it’s tolerable. What’s worse is that the buttons have a very short and unclear travel, and I only managed to reduce the volume on the third attempt. Most likely, there is an individual defect in the button in a particular instance.

I was pleased with the presence of an LED event indicator. There is only one color (bright blue), but it works properly and also responds to application events. The vibration motor is average and is not designed for carrying the device in outerwear pockets.

Display

TFT display 4.5 inches, resolution – 480 x 854, pixel density – 240 ppi. In my opinion, this is the most controversial part of the device. A good and rather “progressive” filling, at first glance, does not fit with such a screen. I would like a better resolution and an IPS matrix. Let's assume that this is payback for the low price of the smartphone. As a consolation: a display of this resolution does not consume much energy, and the 2,000 mAh battery lasts a long time.

There is also a pleasant surprise: the screen does not suffer from the usual “bluishness” for budget displays. I would say that in terms of color rendition, this is almost the best option in its class that I have visited. Almost pure white color even at low brightness levels is a significant plus. Pay attention to the photo above, there is practically no characteristic blue.

Another close-up photo of the display. Everything is very good with flowers, thanks for that. Thin lines on maps and in small text, of course, blur. Colors are noticeably distorted when turning in the vertical plane.

There is a light sensor and automatic brightness adjustment is present. Works well in different conditions, tracks changes and changes brightness quickly, without jerking. During the entire test, there was never a desire to control the brightness manually. Auto-rotate to landscape mode works correctly and does not cause annoying random triggers.

The backlighting of the three virtual buttons under the display is present and works, but the auto-turns off quickly, and without backlighting they are not visible at all. I didn’t find it in the settings, but it’s hard to consider it a disadvantage, since we all remember three buttons or will quickly remember them.

Finally, an important detail that is indirectly related to the display. The phone can be woken up from sleep mode and the screen can be unlocked by double tapping on the display. We go straight to the main screen, bypassing the lock screen with the splash screen. You can put it into sleep mode in the same way. Until now I have only come across this Lenovo smartphones, a convenient thing, saves time and battery energy. It’s not even a pity to leave free space on the screen for “blocking” taps. If you don’t do this, you will hit the icon and the application will start.

Cameras

There are two of them: a 5 MP main camera with autofocus, a 2 MP front camera. There is an LED flash, but it is weak.

With the front camera there was again some intrigue. According to the description, it is 2.0 MP, in fact (file properties and AnTuTu data) – 0.3 MP (VGA). In settings front camera only night mode and the ability to take 4 pictures in a row, there is nothing else to configure. As a consolation, I can mention the humane compression algorithm, the average file size is 250 KB. Or were you going to interpolate to 2 MP, but something went wrong? Okay, the selfies aren't completely disgusting, see photo above.

The main camera (5 MP with autofocus) turned out to be quite decent. “Front” photos in good lighting are practically flawless. Autofocus cannot be called slow and works correctly.

In general, I liked the work of the software; it correctly “calculates” and corrects the white balance. Pictures at different types lighting (for example, a rather dim table lamp) looks good without any “dancing with a tambourine” around additional settings. The spectrum is slightly shifted to the “warm” side, which is not bad when shooting a face and is not critical for most other scenarios.

Macro mode is provided and works. You won’t be able to print banknotes, but you can safely count on taking close-up photographs of all sorts of buttercups and flowers.

Working with text. Again, nothing spectacular, but the photographed A4 page is easy to read. If the text is not too small (see photo above by clicking), then the recognition system does a good job.

I had trouble shooting at night. Either I wanted too much from the camera, or I needed to practice well. Well, at least there is no pronounced “noise”, i.e. the situation is not hopeless and you can try to photograph static objects.

There is an LED flash, but I would recommend immediately forgetting about its existence. Although I’m lying, the flashlight mode can come in handy. The trouble is not even that the flash is frankly weak. Either they really saved on the LED, or the software doesn’t work correctly with it, I don’t know. But the pictures come out with a pronounced blueness. Taking into account the fact that the software handles well different types artificial lighting, such a “flash” does more harm than practical benefit.

There are enough settings, and they are sorted conveniently. Is the “Barcode Scanner” mode present and even works well, a bonus from KitKat 4.4.4? The black-and-white shooting mode, very useful for text and diagrams, is hidden in the “Filters” section under the romantic name “Noir”. This is a note to the hostess.

As a summary of the camera. There are not enough stars from the sky and, moreover, he does not photograph them. But the product is quite suitable for various applications and is not an outright “excuse” from a budget smart phone manufacturer: “Should a smartphone have a camera? Well, here’s your camera!” Here we have an honest 5 MP with normally working autofocus and good software support.

Characteristics

Data in AnTuTu virtual “parrots” – 21,663. Far from top models, but about one and a half times better than modern ones budget smartphones. They claim that most modern games can be played on a smartphone even at medium settings.

Generalized device data, Network Signal Info application. The same application is present in photos and screenshots in the form of widgets (warning questions).

A list of basic device data from AnTuTu, an image in “readable” resolution is available by clicking.

AnTuTu data for sensors installed in the device.

Shells, programs, control

Judging by the familiar pictures and the start widget, the smartphone has a start shell from the Celltick company installed. Last time I suggested that we would most likely see this package in future “branded” MTS products. Here, however, the package is presented in a greatly reduced form, without a set of additional on-screen widgets with the ability to make online purchases. Either at the time of release, Celltick had not yet “finished” their product for Android 4.4.4, or because the smartphone is not sold under the MTS brand. It doesn't matter.

A lot of additional software has been installed, it’s a holy thing. However, there are popular and certainly useful examples. In terms of saving time and effort, the Startup Manager is very nice, which displays a list of all applications that start immediately and take up space in memory. Going through the list and disabling autoloading of everything unnecessary is a matter of minutes, and then you can slowly deal with each software separately.

As a consolation: it seems that additional pre-installed software can be easily removed without obtaining root rights and other difficulties. I was too lazy to go through the entire list, but none of the programs I watched declared their “inviolability.”

The menu also has a wonderful Smart Live section with dozens of “recommended” programs. You will find out about the paid or short test period only after a complex four-way download combination bypassing standard interface Google Play. Again, it’s the owner’s business and no one is forcing you, just keep it in mind.

For some time I was fiddling with disabling the CB (Cell Broadcast) tariff zone on the MTS SIM card. A couple of years ago I solved exactly the opposite problem (enable), but now I couldn’t find it in the settings right away. And to receive a Stolitsa message every couple of minutes with all the accompanying sound and light indications... you understand. The CB settings did not help, but the treasured channel 50 (MTS broadcasts on it) turned out to be connected by default in the “Emergency Alerts” section, in the subsection of the settings for Brazil. Thank you that this is not a “presidential” broadcast channel, which cannot be turned off in principle.

And among the pleasant surprises - a complete set network settings. I don’t know whether Alcatel or Google heard the mutually exclusive complaints of users about restrictions in operating modes, but they heard. And they made almost all the options you could wish for. Enjoy it for your health.

Impressions from work

I won’t repeat myself about the ambiguous screen (see above), about LED indicator(he exists) and wrote the typeface (it also exists). An interesting topic is the radio unit. Which turned out to be surprisingly good. It immediately “hooks” to LTE and confidently holds on to it almost down to -125 dbm according to the indicator. It doesn’t just hold on, it transmits data. In general, when switching between networks on a smartphone, everything happens well and quickly, and does not “stick” in any mode.

There are no complaints about the data transfer speed either. It is clear that first of all the network must provide 41 Mbit/s, but the smartphone must also be able to receive this stream. It looks like it takes without problems.

With the indication of operating modes on a smartphone, everything is very interesting. A thorough study of the “user manual” seems to leave no questions; each mode is described in detail, documented and should be displayed in the status line accordingly, sorry for the clutter. But in fact?

In fact, the 3G HSPA+ indication has been abolished in principle; this implementation of 3G has been declared the fourth generation (4G) thanks to the light hand of US providers, they were the first to engage in such verbiage in cellular networks. I have already encountered a similar phenomenon in the firmware of Alcatel products. In the “user manual” the icons were left for beauty and, probably, for the regulatory authorities. If there is a really annoying and techno-advanced subscriber, then they will popularly explain to him the difference between the 4G icons (like, this is the previous 4G) and 4G/LTE (the most modern 4G). This is such an “unobtrusive” confusion of concepts for the sake of a beloved customer.

However, let's continue. I have no complaints about the Wi-Fi module; the sensitivity is at a very good level. GPS turned out to be unexpectedly fast, A-GPS also worked without problems and with good accuracy. Bad feelings from future accusations of being “paid for” are already beginning to appear, but I can’t do anything about it. I really liked the entire radio part of the smartphone.

Sound part. Here, here you can rehabilitate yourself, the multimedia speaker is not at all ice. The voice speaker is also so-so. I am still delighted with the ingenious solution in Beeline Smart 2, where they abandoned the separate multimedia speaker, making the voice of greater power universal. Any multimedia did not suffer much, but voice transmission became radically better. It seems to me that such a “retrograde” solution is the future of relatively cheap devices. But we'll see.

Resume

A fully functional smartphone at a level higher than a “state employee”, also with LTE support. The radio unit is pleasing, and at a price of 5,000 rubles out of the gate. The device should appeal to techno-enthusiasts. The screen is noticeably dissonant with the “filling”, this is sad. And unsuccessful (in my opinion) buttons. But overall, the device is very good in terms of price and characteristics.