Alcatel's "all screen" smartphones will start under $100

As promised at the end of last year, affordable phone manufacturer Alcatel has announced a trio of new devices all kitted out with "all screen" 18:9 displays. The company says the cheapest in the family - the Alcatel 1X - will retail for under $100 locally, making it the cheapest phone to date to feature the newfangled aspect ratio.

The 1-series is Alcatel's new entry-level model and the device destined for Australia has been dubbed the Alcatel 1X.

Key specifications for the Alcatel 1X include a 5.3-inch 480p+ display, a quad-core MT6739 processor, 16GB of expandable storage, either 1 or 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 2,460mAh battery. The local Alcatel 1X variant sold in Australia won't have a fingerprint reader.

The Alcatel 1X will sell for less than $100, but availability is yet to be confirmed.

The 3-series is one step up and adds facial recognition to the mix. Locally, it looks like we'll be getting a model called the Alcatel 3V.

Key specifications for the Alcatel 3V include a 6-inch 1080p+ display, a quad-core MT8735A processor, either 16GB or 32GB of expandable storage, a 12MP rear-facing camera paired with a secondary 2MP lens for depth perception, and a 3,000mAh battery.

The Alcatel 3V set is set for an Australian launch in 2018's third quarter for $199. You'll be able to get it in a choice of blue or black.

The Alcatel 5 is Alcatel's new flagship device, but is set to still cost under $300 locally. The handset stands out thanks to a rather unique design; the Alcatel 5 only has a top bezel, doing away with any other significant elements surrounding the screen. The top bezel also happens to house a 13MP front-facing camera with a secondary 5MP wide-angle lens for when you just have to fit everyone in your selfie.

Other specifications for the Alcatel 5 include a 5.7-inch 720p+ display, an eight-core MT6750 processor, either 16GB or 32GB of expandable storage, either 2GB or 3GB of RAM, a 12MP rear-facing camera, facial recognition, and a 3,000mAh battery.

The Alcatel 5 will be available in Australia in mid-to-late 2018 in a choice of black or gold.

As part of the device announcement, Alcatel also committed to distributing quarterly Android security updates (at a minimum) for its 2018 devices.

Alcatel Australia contributed funding toward WhistleOut's trip to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress 2018. 

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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