With a new logo and focus, mobile device maker Alcatel intends to increase its market share as it moves to the mid- to high-end segment with the launch of Idol 4S, the company’s new flagship smartphone that comes with a plastic virtual reality (VR) headset, and other products such as 2-in-1 device with Windows 10, and wearables.
“We will operate under the name Alcatel with a new logo and new focus,” said Liza Woods, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific and Country Manager for the Philippines at Alcatel. “The new brand will increase its engagement with millennial customers as its target market.”
With a new brand identity, Woods also told media that the company will continue to create products at the right price point. Regarding their production capacity, she claimed that their China-based plant can produce 120-million units per year.
Alain Lejeune, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Alcatel, relayed that they are now moving to the mid- to high-end segment and virtual reality, and will continue making products with features their customers need.
“In Asia, we will duplicate what we did with the rest of the world. We will increase investments especially in the Philippines.”
Lejeune, however, said they will still retain their mass market devices despite the launch of their new products.
Alcatel’s latest flagship smartphone Idol 4S features the so-called Boom Key which allows users to customize its function – can be turned into a camera launcher or shooter. It can also be used to create a more intense 3D effect as well as enhance bass, volume and clarity of sound for audio.
Plus 10 Tablet
The Idol 4S is also bundled with a plastic virtual reality headset so users can download virtual reality content. In addition, the device sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 1440 x 2560 resolution, and comes with a 16MP rear camera and 8MP front camera.
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the handset is supported by 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. It is energized by a 3,000mAh battery.
Meanwhile, Vittorio Di Mauro, Vice President and General Manager, Smart Connectivity Division at Alcatel, relayed that the company has plans to expand beyond smartphone as he announced its first Intel- and Windows 10-enabled 2-in-1 convertible device called Plus 10 tablet, and the 2G Move Time track and talk smart watch.
With 4G LTE keyboard, the Plus 10 tablet can be used in laptop mode to encode documents or create spreadsheets, and in dock mode to display presentations or slides. It can be connected to a hard drive, mouse, USB key and a secondary screen.
Idol 4S smartphone
The device is packed with double battery (5,830mAh for the tablet and 2,580mAh for the keyboard), having a combined 8,410mAh which lasts for a full eight-hour working day. The keyboard serves as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 15 users.
Having a quad-core processor, the tablet offers 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM, expandable up to 64GB via microSD. It has a 10.1-inch HD IPS display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, and a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera.
On the other hand, the Move Time track and talk watch, which is designed for children five to nine years old, allows parents to call or send them voice messages. Children can reply from up to 10 pre-set contacts and make calls to five registered numbers using the simple user interface.
With GPS, GSM and Wi-Fi, the watch can locate children within 60 seconds using the most accurate information, both indoors and outdoors. It can work with any Android phones and has a battery life that lasts for up to four days.
To be available in the market in June this year, these new product lineup can be bought at the following suggested retail prices (SRPs): Idol 4S smartphone (Php30,000); Plus 10 with 4G LTE keyboard (Php20,000); and Move Time track and talk watch (Php5,000).
