Alcatel's One Touch Idol now available in the US for $300 unlocked (update: correction)
Alcatel announced today that its One Touch Idol smartphone is now available for the US market, but without a carrier. Weighing in at only 110 grams, the supposed "world's lightest" handset will be sold unlocked for $300 via the company's website. Meant as an entry-level device, the specs betray its low-end status: you get a 4.7-inch qHD (960 x 540) IPS display, 512MB 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2GHz 1GHz dual-core CPU with Android 4.1 in tow. Still, its quad-band GSM and 900 / 2100 MHz HSPA bands mean it'll work with either AT&T or T-Mobile, which should be good news to those who want carrier flexibility. If that sounds like a bargain to you, head on over to the source below to snag one for yourself.
Update: Specs of the One Touch Idol have changed since our initial hands-on. It actually has a 1GHz dual-core processor instead of 1.2GHz and 1GB of RAM instead of 512MB.
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FEATHERWEIGHT SMARTPHONE, ALCATEL ONE TOUCH IDOL, NOW AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.
ALCATEL ONE TOUCH broadens smartphone category by delivering impressive style and practical technology at an affordable price with the ONE TOUCH IDOL.
Irvine, Calif. – May 30, 2013 -- ALCATEL ONE TOUCH, a mobile device brand under TCL Communication, today announced the world's lightest 4.7 inch-display smartphone, the ONE TOUCH Idol, is now available for purchase in the U.S. at www.alcatelonetouchidol.com for $299. The unlocked device works on most GSM networks and is the first of the IDOL smartphone family to arrive in the U.S. The ONE TOUCH IDOL appeals to consumers who are looking for style, great design and uncomplicated technology.
Currently ranked #7 in worldwide shipments of mobile devices (Gartner 1Q13), ALCATEL ONE TOUCH has become one of the fastest growing OEMs in the world. Through a continued commitment to its brand promise of well designed, stylish products at affordable prices, with no compromise on quality or customer experience, ALCATEL ONE TOUCH has widened the U.S. smartphone market by providing the next generation of options to consumers and carriers.
"Making the ONE TOUCH IDOL smartphone available in the U.S. is part of the company's objective to deliver innovative design and smart technology to everyone," said Steve Cistulli, Senior Vice President of North America for ALCATEL ONE TOUCH. "Pragmatic shoppers and those looking to make their first smartphone purchase, now have the option to choose a device that has both great looks and has features normally reserved for higher priced smartphones."
The ONE TOUCH IDOl weighs in at a mere 3.88 oz (110 grams) and delivers best-in-class value, reliability and style. The smartphone's durable, scratch-resistant glass, anti-virus software and all-over splash-proof water protection allows it to standup to everyday wear-and-tear for the long haul.
