Dealhacker: Get A 4-Inch Android Smartphone For $59

The Alcatel Onetouch is a four-inch budget smartphone running on Android KitKat 4.4 that retails for just $59. The phone’s most distinguishing feature is its vibrant finish which comes in a range of colours ranging from metallic silver to neon pink. Otherwise, it delivers the exact specifications you’d expect from a sub-$60 smartphone.

First, the bad news: the Alcatel Onetouch lacks 4G connectivity, so speed addicts will need to look elsewhere. It also boasts a native resolution of 320×480 pixels and a piddly 2-megapixel camera.

According to the press release, it comes “pre-loaded with popular apps” including a bunch of conspicuously unnamed graphics filters and photo editors. That doesn’t sound like shovelware at all. Oh yeah, and it’s locked to the Optus network.

Otherwise, this appears to be a pretty decent handset for $59 — it certainly looks more stylish than the usual yum cha offerings. There are nine different colours to choose from in all, which is better than most high-end models manage. The company is also promising up to eight hours of battery life but that’s probably a generous estimation.

Here’s a look at the key specifications:

  • 2MP camera with inbuilt flash
  • 3G
  • Dual Core 1.0 GHz processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n
  • Dimensions: 121x64x11mm
  • OS: Android KitKat 4.4 OS
  • Display: 4.0″ HVGA 320×480 pixels
  • Micro SD card slot
  • Battery: 1400 mAh (removable)

For a limited time, Optus is also offering three months of free Netflix when you purchase the device on a prepaid plan. If you were planning to join Netflix anyway, this means you’re getting the phone for under $30.

So should you buy it? As with any entry-level Android, it will come down to the reliability of the OS, responsiveness of the touch screen and battery life. We recommend having a fiddle before buying.


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