DELIVERING UNREAL VALUE AND USER EXPERIENCES, ALCATEL’S FLAGSHIP SMARTPHONE COMBINES THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF DESIGN AND FEATURES WITH AN INDUSTRY FIRST VR GOGGLE PACKAGING
IRVINE, Calif. – July 13, 2016 – ALCATEL – the number four mobile phone manufacturer in North America – today unveiled its unlocked Android flagship with the award-winning IDOL 4S. A follow–up to the award–winning IDOL 3 – widely regarded as one of the best smartphone values of 2015 – the IDOL 4S brings a new level of design and features that has made Alcatel’s IDOL flagship line one of the most prized in the industry. Unveiled globally earlier this year at Mobile World Congress, the value–packed IDOL 4S is loaded with all the features customers need in an affordably priced unlocked smartphone, including a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 652 processor, 3.6–watt JBL certified speakers with Waves Audio and Synaptics’ fingerprint sensor technology. IDOL 4S also comes packaged with an industry first with the world’s first VR goggle packaging bundle, as well as Alcatel’s exclusive Boom Key which brings a variety of experience enhancements with just one push of the Boom Key button.
“IDOL 4S represents Alcatel’s commitment to offering more than just great hardware; it is our commitment to providing a richer, experience–driven value that offers a more emotional connection to how consumers use and enjoy mobile technology in their lives.” said Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager for Alcatel, North America.
IDOL 4S will be available for pre–order through Alcatel’s website beginning 8:00am PDT on July 15 for $349.99 USD, with pre–sale orders shipping early August. Customers who purchase during this pre–sale period will receive the standard IDOL 4S and VR goggle bundle, 2.5D tempered glass screen protector, JBL headphones, an IDOL 4S protective case from our accessory partner, Incipio, as well as free shipping on their order. This unreal IDOL 4S bundle officially goes on–sale August 3 for $399.99 USD with free standard shipping included, and will be available exclusively through Alcatel’s online store at launch and is compatible with all GSM wireless providers in North America. Alcatel is also announcing purchase financing options for buyers, making IDOL 4S available for as low as $37 per month.
The Perfect Amount of Design
Maintaining the familiar lightweight design and sleek look that has been the heritage of the IDOL smartphone line, the IDOL 4S showcases the evolution of the new Alcatel brand unveiled at Mobile World Congress. With a black 2.5D glass body and full metallic frame, the IDOL 4S redefines modern elegance in value–focused smartphone design. To complement this design, we’ve partnered with Incipio to develop exclusive accessories for IDOL 4S, including a variety phone case flavors for consumers to choose from. These cases offer added protection for IDOL 4S, as well as a chance for users to customize their IDOL 4S with cases made by one of the leading mobile accessory makers in the industry.
The Perfect Amount of Features
Loaded with features, yet accessibly priced, the IDOL 4S delivers all the key ingredients needed for users to do more with their smartphone. Starting with a 5.5–inch Quad–HD AMOLED display, IDOL 4S offers a vivid user experience, with better power consumption and easy to read viewing angles; even in direct sunlight. Alcatel’s newest flagship is also powered by the Snapdragon 652 processor, making multitasking a breeze, but also empowering immersive experiences like 4K video capture, enhanced gaming and improved graphics processing.
“Qualcomm Technologies is excited to work with Alcatel on the launch of the IDOL 4S,” said Mike Finley, senior vice president and president, North America and Australia, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The Snapdragon 652 processor is capable of supporting amazing visual detail for Ultra HD mobile videos, 16–megapixel photography with fast autofocus, mobile games and other types of applications with an improved battery life that consumers demand in their next generation devices.”
Continuing the IDOL legacy, IDOL 4S also features best–in–class audio, packing dual 3.6–watt JBL certified speakers featuring Waves Audio technology to make sure you always have the best settings for listening to music or watching movies. IDOL 4S also offers improved cameras, including a 16MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture, featuring a Sony sensor, 0.1 second phase detection autofocus and 0.6 second instant shot. And thanks to having the unique camera application, FYUSE, built into this feature–packed smartphone’s camera software, you can also capture images in full 360 degrees. No need for a selfie stick with IDOL 4S either, thanks to the 84 degree wide angle lens on its 8MP front facing camera.
And there’s no need to worry about constantly looking for a place to charge up since IDOL 4S comes with a robust 3000mAh battery that includes Qualcomm® Quick Charge, so even if you do need to charge up you can do it in a snap.
The Perfect Amount of Innovation
What really sets IDOL 4S apart from other unlocked smartphones though are the continued innovations it brings to the market, like the world’s first VR goggle packaging bundle and the IDOL Boom Key experience. For more than 20 years, Alcatel has been dedicated to making innovative technology accessible and with IDOL 4S, Alcatel meets this commitment by giving access to the latest technology experience on the market: virtual reality. With the addition of the Alcatel VR goggles, users get a comfortable, easy–to–use VR experience that includes simplified controls on the goggles for smooth navigation while enjoying VR content. The IDOL 4S also comes with pre–loaded VR applications, like Littlstar, so right out of the box users can enjoy hours of free VR content.
Another innovation introduced with IDOL 4S is Alcatel’s Boom Key experience. This physical button location on the right side of the IDOL 4S creates simple experience enhancements to a variety of features, including the camera, audio, user experience and more. Thanks to this experience button users can now take instant photos going from pocket to picture in just seconds, long press for burst shot photos, boost the loudness and bass of the speakers while listening to music while also creating a more immersive audio experience, enhance the voice clarity and loudness while making a phone call, and even instantly live stream while recording a video to easily share those moments with friends. The Boom Key can also be assigned to any application on the device to quickly open that favorite application.
IDOL 4S Key Features Include:
Brilliant 5.5–inch QHD (1440×2560) AMOLED Display for easy viewing, even in direct sunlight, and more immersive VR experience; also supports parallax Live UI
Powerhouse audio experience with dual 3.6–watt JBL certified speaker featuring Waves Audio technology for increased speakerphone volume and clarity, as well as Waves’ smart equalizer to make sure you always have the best setting for listening to music or watching movies; also includes JBL earbud headset in box
Professional quality photos with a 16MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture, featuring a Sony sensor, 0.1 second phase detection autofocus, 0.6 second instant shot and 4K video capture; Shooting modes include: auto, manual, slow–motion, HDR, panoramic, micro–video and FYUSE 360 degree image capture
Selfie stick style photos without the selfie stick with an 8MP front facing camera with 84 degree wide angle lens, that also includes camera flash and Face Beauty mode for perfect selfies
Experience more thanks to a powerful Snapdragon 652 octa–core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.4 GHz) processor and Qualcomm Technologies’ next generation Qualcomm® Adreno™ 510 GPU, supporting 4K video capture, and helping make graphics and gaming more immersive than ever
3GB RAM + 32GB storage (with MicroSD support up to 200GB with adoptable storage)
Easy user customization with Android M (6.0.1) OS – will support future Android N OS upgrade
All-day battery life with a 3000mAh battery supporting up to 13 hours of talk time or 40 hours of music playback as well as Quick Charge (about 90 minute charge time)
Dual SIM and LTE Cat4 (B2/4/5/7/12/17) support with VoLTE
NFC support, including support for mobile payments like Android Pay
In box materials include: IDOL 4S, Alcatel VR Goggles and deluxe head strap, Micro–USB charging cable and Quick Charge A/C adapter, JBL in–ear headphones with mic, 2.5D tempered glass screen protector
For more information on IDOL 4S, please visit Alcatel’s website.
About Alcatel Mobile Devices
TCL Communication designs, develops and markets a diversified range of mobile devices in more than 170 countries under the Alcatel brand. Currently the #4 mobile handset manufacturer in North America, Alcatel branded devices from TCL Communication deliver innovative, feature–rich experiences that make access to today’s mobile technology simple; offering a diverse portfolio of value–packed products equipped with the technology people want most.
Media contact:
Jason Gerdon
Email: PR.NA@alcatelonetouch.com.