At the start of the CES exhibition in Las Vegas, the Chinese CTA presented four Alcatel smartphones; the 1B (2020), 1S (2020), 1V (2020) and 3L (2020) . As usual, inexpensive entry-level models with attractive features. It also showed a line of smartphones that should be marketed under its own name.
It concerns the Alcatel 1B, Alcatel 1S (2020) and Alcatel 3V. The Dutch press release does not refer to the also announced Alcatel 1V (2020). That has a good reason, because according to Alcatel Netherlands it doesn't come out here. The 1B (2020) is the simplest of the group of phones and is the first smartphone with Android 10 (Go Edition). It can therefore be done with simple hardware, i.e. a quad-core processor with only 2 GB of RAM.
The Alcatel 1B 2020 gets a 5.5 inch screen with HD+ resolution. The screen edges are quite large but the ratio of 18:9 is quite modern. At the back is an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and at the front is a 5 megapixel self-image camera. There is 4G support and the battery is on the 'normal' side with 3000 mAh. Another interesting feature is the separate Google Assistant button that allows you to call up Google's virtual assistant right away. Expect the 1B (2020) from the first quarter in stores in the colors Prime Black and Pine Green for a recommended retail price of 79 euros.
Alcatel 1S (2020)
TCL also showed the 2020 version of the 1S. In contrast to the double camera of its predecessor, this time it gets a triple camera on the back of 13 + 5 + 2 megapixels. TCL has succeeded in equipping the camera with artificial intelligence that can detect up to 22 different scenes. Choosing the best settings yourself should increase the chance of getting the perfect picture.
For a phone with a recommended retail price of just under 100 euros, the Alcatel 1S 2020 has reasonable computing power. All thanks to an octacore processor and 3 GB of RAM. The battery capacity comes out at 4000 mAh which is quite neat considering the screen size of 6.22 inches. The screen panel is of the type IPS which is known for its good color reproduction. The resolution comes out at HD+ which suits the entry level character of the device. TCL delivers the device out of the box with Android 10; currently the latest Android version. Alcatel Netherlands expects to be able to deliver the 1S 2020 from the first quarter onwards in the colors Agate Green and Power Gray.
Alcatel 3L (2020)
With the Alcatel 3L 2020 TCL showed an Alcatel phone with 48 megapixel camera for the first time. Using Quad Pixel technology, it offers improved low-light performance. It is not the only camera; at the back there is a 5 megapixel camera with 115° ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2 megapixel camera with macro lens. Also the 3L 2020 is equipped with a 6.22 inch screen and octa-core processor but the working memory is slightly larger with 4 GB.
Alcatel expects to have the new 3L in stores from the first quarter for a recommended retail price of 139 euro. Available colours are Chameleon Blue and Dark Chrome.
TCL 10L, 10 Pro and 10 5G
Also showed the company some telephones under its own name; the TCL 10L, 10 Pro and 10 5G. We could not find a reference in the Dutch press release. The company is still a bit secretive anyway, because in addition to visual material, a lot is known. For example, we do not yet know the specifications, although we can guess that the TCL 10 5G has 5G support on board.
Enquiries revealed that TCL will announce the above TCL 10 series in more detail during the MWC. The start screen also shows "22 February". This is the Saturday prior to the start of the Mobile World Congress 2020. It officially starts on Monday February 24th but many manufacturers already announced their line-up the weekend before. Hopefully more by then.
