Dan Seifert Alcatel's 5.5-inch OneTouch Idol 3 is creating waves thanks to its affordable price and the high quality features.
With the unlocked smartphone costing just $249.99 from Alcatel if purchased directly (instead of $279.99), the OneTouch Idol 3 is poised to become a market changer.
Here's a look at what the reviewers are saying:
"If the performance doesn't bother you though, and you're willing to take a chance on OS updates down the road, the Idol 3 has a lot of great stuff to offer. The 13MP camera is surprisingly good, the software basically feels like stock Lollipop, battery life is totally respectable, and the beautiful display could easily make it pass for a phone costing much more," says David Ruddock of Android Police.
"Delivering midrange features at an entry-level price, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is the company's best smartphone to date -- and a great deal for the money," per CNET's Jessica Dolcourt.
"It's a top-notch, budget friendly option on the unlocked market, especially if you get it at the $250 online-exclusive price, which Alcatel reps say is more or less permanent," opines Eugene Kim of PC Mag.
"With its big, beautiful 5.5″ screen, excellent sound quality, snappy performance, and surprisingly good earbuds, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 would be a great choice for someone looking for a new large-format smartphone on a contract," per Simon Cohen of Venture Beat. "Though its camera may not be the equivalent of high-end products like the iPhone or Galaxy S6, and it lacks features like a built in health app or fingerprint reader, this is a small price to pay for the Idol 3's small (relatively speaking) cost and wide-open carrier compatibility."
"While the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 does look great, there IS a difference in perceived quality when you hold a device with a plastic back vs a device with glass, or metal. Once you're past that, I can't imagine not having a positive experience with this device," per Chris Burns of Slashgear.
"A few years ago, it was unfathomable to expect this kind of performance or experience with a cheap phone. A terrible display, useless camera, painful software experience, and ugly design were the norm. While the Idol 3 isn't the first phone to go against that grain, it is the one that pushes the envelope the furthest, whether that's by its great user experience or rock-bottom price," notes Dan Seifert of The Verge.
