Mobile phone season isn't set to start until the end of February, but budget phone manufacturer Alcatel has used the CES trade-show in Las Vegas to tease a couple of upcoming devices ahead of a formal announcement at Mobile World Congress.
Alcatel's 2018 portfolio will include three redesigned device families: the 5 Series, the 3 Series, and the 1 Series. Phones across the three series will feature extra-tall 18:9 displays, as is increasingly becoming the trend across all price-points.
Specifics for phones have yet to be confirmed, but the Alcatel 5 Series is billed as "affordable premium", and will feature facial recognition. The Alcatel 3 Series should be a little cheaper, while also including dual rear-facing cameras. And the Alcatel 1 Series will be the manufacturer's entry-level offering, but Alcatel says devices will still have functionality such as facial recognition.
"By modernising our smartphone designs and being one of the first global manufacturers to offer 18:9 displays across the majority of our lineup, we’re able to refocus our efforts at democratising flagship style features and making these experiences accessible to almost any consumer worldwide," said Christian Gatti, the global president for Alcatel business division.
When speaking to Australian media at the end of 2017, Alcatel's local boss Sam Skontos proclaimed simplicity and consistency as the company's goals for 2018, with the aim of expanding market share.
Skontos said Alcatel is targeting the "smart value consumer, the consumer who recognised value" but couldn't care less about brand.
"[He or she] doesn't care about being seen as a tight arse."
We'll hear more about Alcatel's new devices in late February or early March.
Alex Choros
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