Review smartphone Alcatel Idol 2 Mini S (6036Y) and Idol 2 Mini

Positioning

Ruler Idol became a breakthrough for Alcatel – interesting design, good functionality, acceptable price. Mini version of the appearance with a small price made these devices even more popular, they went out to the mass market.

 In fact, we can say that Alcatel has created a great offer in terms of price / quality, content and appearance – these models are very different from what we see in most Chinese manufacturers. And at the same value at the same level.

In 2014, no major changes in the design did not happen, the entire line got updated toppings, but retained a design that looks as fresh.In my opinion, Alcatel phones can be recommended as a youth, vivid solutions – they will choose those who put in the forefront not only functionality, but what looks like a machine. This is a rare case when the shape is very well complements the content. I like the last line of devices from Alcatel, they are very pleasant in everyday life, but not enough stars in the heavens. A sort of a pragmatic choice – phone, you can enjoy a few years and then replace it with another. Actually, that’s all it says.

Package Includes:

• Phone
• Charger with USB-cable
• Headset
• Instruction

Design, size, controls

In line Idol Mini 2 includes several models, for reasons of simplicity, you can combine them into one review because, by and large, they are the same in the eyes of the consumer. Let’s list all the modifications:

• Idol Mini 2 6016X – one SIM-card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB internal, microSD, UMTS 900/2100
• Idol Mini 2 6016D – two SIM-card, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal, UMTS 900/2100
• Idol Mini 2 6016A – one SIM-card, 512 MB RAM, 4GB built-in, microSD, UMTS 900/2100
• Idol Mini 2 6016E – two SIM-card, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB of internal, UMTS 850/1900/2100
• Idol Mini 2 S 6036A – one SIM-card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal, LTE Bands 1,2,4,7,17, no NFC
• Idol Mini 2 S 6036H – one SIM-card, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal, LTE Bands 1,3,7,8,20,28, no NFC
• Idol Mini 2 S 6036Y – one SIM-card, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal, LTE Bands 1,3,7,8,20, have NFC

The review is based on version 6036Y, this is the best configuration of this unit. In all versions of the chipset used by Qualcomm. In the Russian version 6036Y sold operator Beeline and partially zabrendirovana them (splash menus and the like).

Externally, we face the typical Alcatel – it means comfort, plastic housing, close coupled design. The manufacturer offers a model in different colors, but usually can be found in retail dark silver machine.

The phone – 129.5h63.5h8.5 mm, weight – 116 grams. Compact, fits well in the hand. Front panel monochrome (depending on body color, so in white version, it also white). On the front side of this unit is difficult to distinguish from other models, it starts playing, if you turn it – body with a slight bend, nice plastic that is resistant to abrasion. On the rear surface can be seen a large speaker, the top – LED flash, as well as 8-megapixel camera with autofocus.

On the left side is the SIM-card, as well as for memory cards microSD, on the right – the volume rocker and on / off button. 3.5 mm connector carried on the upper end, but microUSB – the lower. At the ends of the holes can also be seen microphones two of them here.

Above the screen there is an indicator light, front camera, and LED, you can configure it to work when you have missed calls or events.Overall, the build quality does not cause problems, but if you squeeze the back panel crackles. Some people may not like it – the reliability of the device is not affected, but the design is such that creaks. Inaccuracy in the design of the unit, which gives this effect. In real life, you do not pay attention to it and are unlikely to compress so phone.

Display

The unit costs IPS-matrix diagonal of 4.5 inches and a resolution of 540×960 pixels (245 dpi). Multitouch support up to 5 touches, brightness control in automatic mode works well. Supply of different brightness, and get a nice model for how the screen works – good colors, excellent viewing angles, no complaints. It is possible that you seem a bit delicate fonts that are by default, but you can always replace them with larger ones. Fades in the sun, but still readable.

Battery

The phone is worth a 2000 mAh battery (in versions without LTE – 1700 mAh). According to the manufacturer, it can provide up to 400 hours of standby time, up to 13 hours of talk time on 3G. In practice, the use of the machine during quiet – 20 minutes of calls a day, a couple dozen SMS, an hour listening to music and a bit of mobile internet – live about 2 full days. In this case we can say that for very active use of it can live up to the evening of the first day, but it is not typical use of such a device to the target audience. These smartphones are buying mostly for calls, SMS, email and the like. That is, it is not the machine for a permanent location in the network, it’s not enough to comfort the screen diagonal. Full battery charging time is about 2 hours.

Memory, memory card, the performance

The phone has 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal, of which 5.3 GB available for user programs and their data. Compatible memory cards up to 32 GB.

Chipset in this model Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8226, 4 cores at up to 1.1 GHz. Graphics co-processor – Adreno 305. In my opinion, the performance is great, no complaints, for fans of virtual parrots bring data from the benchmarks.

Communication features

Telephone networks operating in 2G (GSM / GPRS / EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/900/2100 MHz), and LTE (for Idol 2 Mini S). Available Bluetooth version 4.0 for file transfer and speech. There is wireless Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b / g / n. Phones, of course, can be employed as an access point (Wi-Fi Hotspot) or modem. To transfer files and synchronize data using USB 2.0 (High-Speed). There are not too useful function Wi-Fi Display, when you can send a signal from your phone to another device using Wi-Fi. Traditionally, there is a feature Wi-Fi Direct. Also have the option of remote Wi-Fi-display.

In this unit also has NFC, it can be used to read labels, have a trial version of the program Triger Pro, which allows you to customize using NFC various events. Tags themselves is not supplied, but can be purchased from any manufacturer, for example, Samsung.

Camera

Normal 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, not enough stars in the sky, gives an acceptable image quality in bright light in the darkness is much worse result. Photofraction – this is not the forte of Alcatel, however, look at the examples below. Video recording is supported in the resolution of 1080p, 30 frames per second.

Software features – Android 4.3

In Idol 2 Mini, as well as its predecessor, Alcatel uses its shell program that can be seen by many ambiguous, as people often prefer the “naked» Android and quite satisfied with its capabilities.

Many features heavily reworked in Alcatel added a number of programs that can be downloaded free of charge and so, but the fact that they are pre-installed, making the unit more interesting for inexperienced users.

Without unlocking the device you can see the weather forecast for the current day. Prolistnem screen to the right, there will be a calendar and to-do list for the day (see the case or enter another day will come). You can also see the status bar, it is available and the screen is locked, if there is no security key or digital code.

The crucial difference from other approaches Alcatel shells that here decided to give up a separate menu for all applications. On the main screen are weather widget, several icons. It is a point of reference. Turning the screen to the left, and there are widgets that you set. Go to the right and it will be programs, some programs have already cleaned the folder did manufacturer. To instantly get used to such an organization, it is something logical and just has the right to life.

In the settings menu appeared their settings, such as mode superekonomii battery. The very sight of the menu is also processed into white, which is quite nice. In this video I’m talking about most of the applications that are in the vehicle, and that has changed compared to previous models, do not want to repeat.

Then it was possible to stay at each program to describe it, but I do not see much sense. It is a smartphone, and this software is usually known, or I touched on it in the video. Therefore, see screenshots below.

Another part that I want to describe separately, this multimedia capabilities. The device supports unconverted video chipset excellent plays 1080p, unlike its predecessor. From the standpoint of music formats there is support for FLAC, in addition to the usual MP3 and a number of others.

Impressions

Sound quality is great, your partner in all conditions can hear you well. Up loud, clearly distinguishable. Vibrate quite weak, closer to average, it can be skipped.

LTE-cost version of the device in the Beeline – 7990 rubles, the difference in support NFC, and 8 GB of internal memory and memory card support. In the version without LTE price is lower – 6990 rubles. In my opinion, for the target audience will be interested in the device without LTE, this technology still involves the active use of the network, while small by today’s standards, the screen is not so convenient.Say otherwise, you will be able to sit in the network, with this there is no problem – but is unlikely to be long hours rather see the desired page from time to time, communicate in social networks, use Whatsapp. To do this, the device is very comfortable, but assume that it will allow all the time to sit on the network, it is not necessary – the screen size plays a role, and to circumvent this limitation will not work.

The device turned out very nice, as well as the first Idol Mini, it is a good smart phone for calls, balanced, there is nothing superfluous. I would like a better camera, but it’s a weak spot in almost all models in this price segment. Alternatively, you can see last year’s Idol Mini, which is based on the new price looks very interesting – you can find it for 5000 rubles. In the large retail chains to its value – 5990 rubles, which makes it not so much fun on the background of the second version.