Review: Alcatel OneTouch Idol X+
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 8:58AM 
By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Alcatel has been ramping up its product offerings as well as its range of devices. It showed off a number of notable smartphones, tablets and even a smart watch at CES 2015. While those products haven't been slated for Canadian release, their OneTouch Idol X+ smartphone, an update to the Idol X we reviewed last year, is already here and available at TELUS and Koodo.
The TELUS device can be had for $350 outright or $0 on a 2 year term (with a plan of at least $45/month) Those opting for Koodo, pay $300 outright part or all of which can be put on a tab to pay off over time (the amount you can put on the tab depends on your monthly plan)
The Glossy Black OneTouch Idol X+ can easily be confused for recent Android flagships, at first glance it reminds me of a thinner versions of the Nexus 4 but upon closer inspection does reveal some unique Alcatel Characteristics.
Boasting a 2 GHz Octa-Core CPU running Android 4.4 KitKat with some proprietary overlays, the Idol X+ also features a clear 5” Full HD IPS display with a 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution. A 13 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front facing camera, 16 gigabytes of onboard storage (expandable via microSD) and an impressive 2500mAh battery round up the set of features.
THe Idol X+ is well balanced for a 5-inch smartphone, it feels reasonably light and can be used with one hand. While it is made mostly of polycarbonate and glass, it feels durable and gives one the impression that it might have a metal frame. The overall look is stylish and understated although the glossy plastic backplate is quite the smudge magnet.
I like some of Alcatel's design touches, like their unique SIM card and microSD slot doors which does not require any SIM tray tool and which is secure when closed but easy enough to toggle when needed. Battery life is exceptional for a 5-inch Android device and LTE connectivity as well as call quality on the TELUS network was above average.
The built-in rear camera is a decent performer and quite fast to deploy. I found it great for shooting photos used for Instagram as well as for short videos. The Idol X+ allows the volume keys to be used for taking photos, which is very convenient.
While there's nothing groundbreaking about the OneTouch Idol X+, it is a very well-rounded smartphone and one that is quite reasonable in terms of pricing. For user who aren't brand conscious and who don't need the latest greatest specs and Android version, this will feel like a step up from many three or two year old smartphones they might be using.
Featuring a very clear full-HD display, great sound and call quality plus an outstanding battery life, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol X+ is priced reasonably at $350 outright or free on two-year TELUS plans.
Reader Comments (1)
The OneTouch Idol X+ doesn't have an LTE radio; it is an HSPA+ only handset.