Alcatel Idol 5S 6060S 4G LTE 32GB Android 7.1 Smartphone (Crystal Black) - GSM Unlocked

I usually do not write reviews here, but I am posting a review for this one because there is very little information about this phone. I bought it because my old Nexus 6p was dying. Not willing to spend $500 on a phone again, I decided to try out Honor 8, but returned it because it had poor calling quality and was prone to overheat. I bought an ad-free version of Idol 5S here for $220, my score is based on the price.GoodBuild & Design -- As others have said, this looks and feels like $400 phone, not $250 phone. Its look and feel is much better than Moto G5, its main competitor.Speakers&Headphone jack -- This must have the best speaker I have ever heard from a smartphone (though I have never tried boomsound HTCs). Similarly, its headphone output is much better than N6P or H8. I am impressed here.Performance -- It uses Snapdragon625, so don't expect a speed demon here. That being said, it is snappy enough for daily uses and light gaming, and it does not overheat like N6P or H8.USB Type-C -- it is the future, and it supports quickcharge as well.Near stock Android -- although custom skins are getting better nowadays, I still prefer starting from the stock or near-stock Android.FM Radio -- oddly enough, this phone comes with FM Radio, in case you like to use it.MixedScreen -- its screen has a nice colors, especially for a sub $300 phone (I would say it is better than the screen on H8), and it can get very bright. However, it is no match to quality AMEOLED when it comes to production of darker colors.Battery -- it lasts long enough, and having ad-free version helps here according to some user reports. However, it does have relatively small battery.Camera -- it is not bad, especially for a sub $250 phone -- but it is nothing to write home about, and tend to struggle in poor lighting conditions. N6P and H8 performed better here. The front camera is merely serviceable, as well.Tweaks -- its version of Android is near stock, which means there are no useful custom tweaks -- the only exception are the equalizer and the ability to change color tones.(edited) It turned out that Alcatel did add few more common tweaks -- they added the ability to display battery percentage on the status bar (this option is somewhat well-hidden), and they split the volumes for alarms and notifications. As these are some of the most popular tweaks for Android, they win points here.BadCase&Screen Protector -- as far as I am aware, these don't exist as of now for this phone. This phone is slippery, so you have to be extra careful. Note that many of the cases and screen protectors listed on Amazon ATM are for Idol 5, not for 5S, AFIAK.NFC -- as often with budget phones, there is no NFC here.Lack of future updates -- Alcatel is not known for providing speedy (or any) major Android updates. You are most likely staying with Nougat till the end of time. This is the biggest flaw IMO, though it may change in future.Overall, this is a very good media-focused midrange phone it is a great value if you can buy it under $250.

Nice little phone.

I've been using Alcatel phones for years and I have always appreciated their value. I just cannot justify paying $$$++ for a phone. However, I use my phone for business and I had a customer send me some photos of a piece I did with an accessory she purchased to go with it. Unfortunately this phone says it's 4GLTE compatible, but on my GSM carrier it will only run on the 3G network. Hence, it will not send or receive mms messages - photos, videos, group texts etc. Took me a while to figure out what was going wrong and why none of the texting apps (including the one pre-installed) were working. The 4GLTE stays lit up, but I'm being forced on a 3G server if that makes sense.Also, the touch screen constantly freezes or doesn't recognize my touch. I've never had a phone to do this. It's not a memory issue, even if I sweep the multiple apps left open, it still locks up. Not great when trying to snap a photo, switching between apps or using the back button etc.The 12 mp camera takes less quality photos than a previous Alcatel camera with 10 mp.The only thing nice about the phone is the glass front and back. It makes the phone look like an $800 phone. But good luck finding a case for this glass phone.I will probably trash this phone and downgrade to the 5G I had before this one.

The new model I bought is amazing as phone #1 from Alcatel sellers on Amazon.I simply needed a fone with 802.11ac for a new drone I bought from, you guessed it, AMAZON!The phone arrive in new sealed condition works way better than I expected and a great price.Amazon and its sellers are an amazing army of people to make customers absolutely delighted.I purchased the global unlocked version because I visit China often for decades to see friends.These phones are completely reliable and are incredible in build, manufacture, and quality.My other use is for FPV on my drone flying and it is a perfect augment to my hobby.There are good phones out there but the support over many years and Alcatel phones has been EXCELLENT!Bravo Amazon and your sellers as you continue to amaze me at the quality you offer.Imagine the day we get delivery by drone? Life is getting better with Amazon surely!!!Ray C. USA FLORIDA

At first I was pleased with this phone. Then a recent update from the manufacturer damaged the phone so it can no longer send texts longer than two sentences. I don't even remember giving permission to update--I woke up one morning to find that it had updated and I couldn't send long texts. I can't tell you how long I was on the phone over the last two months trying to get the situation straightened out with both T-Mobile and Alcatel. Both blamed the other for the problem, until today,when Alcatel confessed their update had erased the ability of my phone to send out more than a few characters at a time. They said there was no way to fix it and basically told me I was shit out of luck. Too bad, so sad. I think they should replace my damaged phone. I'll never buy from Alcatel again and do not recommend them to anyone.Edit: Now Alcatel is denying that the problem is of their making when I asked them to either repair the phone or replace it. They're now saying it's T-Mobile's fault.

I just spent 1 hour with AT&T support to make data work. I was transferred 6 times until got hard core technician on the phone he made custom settings on AT&T side to make data work. This phone can not work higher that 3G on AT&T network. The description of the phone inaccurate and misleading. I am debating with myself now weather to return the phone or to live with 3G insted of 4G LTE as stated in description. Do not make the same mistake do not buy. I bought it because my old Idol3 works perfectly on 4G LTE with AT&T and I assumed that idol5 would.