First Look at Alcatel’s New Idol 4S Smartphone

Alcatel (they don’t want to be referred to as Alcatel OneTouch anymore) has two new smartphones this year to take the place of last year’s Idol 3: the Idol 4 and the Idol 4S. As we have previously stated, the Idol 4S is the superior device. It is larger and has better specifications overall than the Idol 4 including the Quad HD AMOLED display which is one of the first things you notice about the device.

Both devices feature a new design and that peculiar “Boom” key on the side of the device below the volume rockers, just where you would expect the power button to be. On more than one occasion, I kept pressing it thinking it is the power button.

This morning, we got a chance to experience the Idol 4S, albeit briefly and below are the photos:

As you can see from the above images, there is a pair of virtual reality goggles. You don’t get these separately, they double up as the actual packaging! Inside the VR goggles is where you get the device itself and the accompanying accessories like the JBL earphones, a USB cable and a power adaptor.

Though they look like the Samsung Gear VR they are just Google Cardboard but in plastic since they lack any sensors and are entirely reliant on the Idol 4/4S for everything. Like the Cardboard, users also have to source for their own straps else they have to hold them up.

The Alcatel Idol 4 and Idol 4S will soon be made available in the Kenyan market. As of now, specifics like the exact date when you can lay your hands on either device and how much they will cost are not yet available. We’ll update you as soon as we have the information.