Alcatel Idol 4S evaluate: Getting probably the most from the mid-range

Alcatel delivers its greatest telephone ever with the Idol 4S.

Fast Take

The Alcatel Idol 4S is a 5.5-inch mid-ranger from an organization that is spent the time to refine its design and hardware. You get entry to a implausible digital camera with guide options and Hello-Fi audio. The telephone gives a superb show, even outdoor, and supplies battery life that may simply get you thru the day.

Good and Dangerous

About this Assessment

I (Jen Karner) am scripting this assessment after utilizing the Alcatel Idol 4S for 2 weeks. It is operating Android 6.zero.1 with the July 1, 2016 safety patch (construct quantity 4AGB-UEB10.) It was related to the AT&T community in Halethorpe, Md., and the good Baltimore Metropolitan space, and was related by way of Bluetooth to a 2015 Honda Match.

Alcatel Idol 4S Specs

Glossy and metallic

Alcatel Idol 4S Hardware

The Alcatel Idol 4S has a sturdy metallic and glass physique that feels nice from the second as you decide it up. Whereas the gadget matches comfortably in your hand, it tends to get slippery, (which signifies that investing in an honest case could be a superb plan in case you have a bent to drop your telephone repeatedly.)

The again is clean glass, with minimal branding. The one factor that protrudes noticeably from the again is the rear digital camera lens. Whereas there’s a fingerprint sensor set into the again, there is no indentation. As an alternative, you’ll find it by the metallic ring that surrounds it. And it is fairly ergonomic too, even in case you have smaller arms.

The growth button permits you to set off sure actions when inside apps, or when your telephone is locked.

From the entrance, the telephone seems to be fairly just like many different rounded 5.5-inch handset (notably a few of Samsung’s current units.) One of many largest variations comes within the buttons format. That is as a result of together with the facility button on the higher left, and quantity rocker on the higher proper, you will discover the “Growth” button — a round key in the midst of the proper aspect.

The growth button permits you to set off sure actions inside apps, or when your telephone is locked. This consists of doing issues like launching your digital camera when the system is locked, or triggering particular actions like a climate preview. It is a nifty function that enhances the expertise, however is not completely mandatory and could be ignored when you so select. It additionally actually, actually appears like an influence button.

Alongside the usual Micro-USB and headphone jacks down under, you will additionally discover a slot on your micro SD card on the higher left nook, simply beneath the facility button. And at each the highest and backside of your display you will notice small discrete speaker grates for the Idol 4S’s spectacular audio system.

You need not jack up the quantity all the best way to get incredible sound when listening to music, or sharing movies with buddies.

These audio system actually get the job achieved, too, with help for Hello-Fi audio and stereo output whether or not the telephone is dealing with up or down. That is proper, they will hearth out the again of the telephone too. Apart from that you simply need not jack up the quantity all the best way to get incredible sound when listening to music, or sharing movies with associates, which is nice.

The show is spectacular, too, with a 2560×1140 pixel decision that rivals some costlier smartphones. So naturally there’s loads of pixel density to go round, and I additionally discovered it brilliant sufficient to make use of in outside circumstances — though you will have to be careful for elevated battery drain at larger brightness ranges.

As for basic velocity, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 652 processor works admirably, and I did not discover any efficiency points with the Idol 4S. It did not matter if I might been enjoying Avengers Academy for over an hour, or if I might needed to navigate my approach by way of Baltimore Metropolis utilizing Google Maps, this telephone was all the time as much as the duty. Even once I’d been utilizing the telephone closely for a number of hours, the one actual problem was warmth buildup — one thing that is under no circumstances distinctive to the Idol 4S. It by no means began dropping apps, appearing jittery, or requiring me to place it down to offer it a relaxation. (It did begin to decelerate after some time, however even this was usually when the battery was fairly low.)

And storage-wise, there’s 32GB of internally, which may fortunately be augmented utilizing a microSD card for lots extra storage to maintain your video games, photographs and music loaded regionally. Alcatel specifies that the slot can take playing cards as much as 512GB.

All Google, all the best way

Alcatel Idol 4S Software program

For now, the Alcatel Idol 4S within reason up-to-date software-wise, operating Android 6.zero.1 Marshmallow proper out of the field with the July 2016 Android safety patch. We’re on the cusp of Android Nougat, however Marshmallow nonetheless will get the job completed, and Android 6.zero.1 performs rather well on the Idol 4S.

Whereas it does not are available slowed down in tons of bloatware, there are a good few apps that come preloaded. A number of of those revolve round VR, as a result of the Alcatel Idol 4S comes packaged inside a Google Cardboard headset. You will discover a couple of video games, a VR launcher and a VR retailer the place you entry new digital experiences.

Preloaded VR content material helps you take advantage of out of the bundled ‘Cardboard’ headset.

An added perk is the addition of the Waves Maxaudio app. This telephone has Hello-Fi audio, and the app permits you to manually modify how issues sound. You’ll be able to tweak stereo, bass, treble, and even set particular settings for various genres of music. You additionally get entry to an app referred to as Fyuse, which lets you take critically epic movable pictures (when it really works appropriately, anyway).

Fantastically suited

Alcatel Idol 4S Digital camera

Cameras have grow to be integral to the best way that many people use our telephones. Whether or not it is rolling by means of Instagram and taking selfies, or recording video of pals at events, having a digital camera that works properly is a necessity. Fortunately, the Alcatel Idol 4S does an excellent job right here, with tons of software program options, and cameras that do a terrific job capturing memorable moments.

There is a 16MP rear dealing with digital camera, and an 8MP selfie shooter. Each perform fairly nicely, although they do generally tend to blur for those who aren’t holding your arms nonetheless. Usefully, you’ll be able to truly open up your digital camera, even when your telephone is locked urgent the Growth button on the aspect.

Alcatel provides you loads of choices with the digital camera as nicely. You’ve got received auto, panorama, and guide modes, sluggish movement movies, Fyuse, and micro-video. Every one is chock filled with options to allow you to get the perfect leads to totally different conditions. The Fyuse mode enables you to take pictures you could truly take a look at from a number of angles, nevertheless it did have issues about half of the time once I tried to make use of it. Apart from displaying individuals the way it labored, I kind of left this perform alone.

In guide mode, all your choices seem on the appropriate aspect of the display and allow you to modify them on a slide bar. Panorama features will present you a preview of your photograph as you’re taking it, and even the auto mode has primary sliders you’ll be able to tweak up and on the prime of your display. As long as you will get used to having to carry very nonetheless when taking pictures, you will be fairly proud of the outcomes that you simply get.

Capability to proceed

Alcatel Idol 4S Battery

The Acatel Idol 4S is provided with a three,000mAh non-removable battery. In my expertise, it is able to taking you thru 12+ hours while not having a recharge, even with heavy use. When it does come time to gasoline again up, you’ve got acquired entry to fast cost capabilities which suggests you will not be stopping for too lengthy.

Even once I was shifting between a number of video games, or out for a stroll enjoying Pokemon Go, I might rely on having hours of gameplay with out having to cease and let the telephone recharge. When that point lastly did come, I did not have to plug it in for greater than about 90 minutes as a result of it helps Fast Cost 2.zero.

Even utilizing the Alcatel Idol 4S closely, I by no means as soon as managed to truly run utterly out of juice.

Even utilizing the Alcatel Idol 4S closely, I by no means as soon as managed to truly run utterly out of juice. The bottom I obtained was about 5% and that was often on the very finish of my day, as I used to be headed to mattress. For normal or mild customers you’ll be able to anticipate to get by way of a strong 16 hours with out situation, heavier customers ought to anticipate 10-12 hours of use. That is about normal for a telephone of this measurement in mid-2016.

Backside Line

Do you have to purchase it? Sure

This brings us to the large query with the Alcatel Idol 4S, do you have to purchase it? Between the battery, display, and digital camera you are taking a look at a strong telephone that may simply get you thru your day with out ease and it does not have a killer price ticket hooked up. You’ll be able to decide it up from Alcatel immediately for $399, which is a reasonably candy deal.

Contemplating that you simply additionally get a unbelievable VR headset together with your telephone, you’ll be able to go far with this telephone. It is not a flagship gadget, however Alcatel has labored their butts off to supply a incredible system that’s reasonably priced for many individuals. Sitting as a mid-grade telephone, you’ve got received loads of choices, however the Alcatel Idol 4S is an effective selection for anybody who values photograph and audio high quality, in addition to a fantastic general expertise.

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