Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows User Reviews

This is a good piece of hardware with great potential. But, it's Windows Software gives it more disadvantages. The Store lacks apps or even support. The VR is a fancy useless addition for the Windows version.

This is by far the best phone I have ever used. Windows 10 is still the most stable and easy to use OS. Lack of Windows apps don't bother me, I use the phone as a phone, all the apps I need are actually available. I know Microsoft has killed the Windows 10 Phone, but I will continue to use until it falls apart or becomes inoperable

The Idol 4S is the first Windows Phone I've ever owned, and even though it does make good efforts into being a device for mobile productivity and multitasking, it does fall short in a several major areas that may be important for a lot of smartphone users. Aside from the Snapdragon 820 with the RAM/ROM (4 GB/ 64 GB) configurations sounding like an impressive device on paper, it doesn't execute the same performance, even though some transitions on the Idol 4S are smoother than other areas. The 21 MP rear/8 MP front is good at best, with the sharpness and low-light suffering a bit as compared to other high-end device. As a person who had around 70-80 apps downloaded on both an Android/iPhone, I could only download around 30, meaning the Windows 10 Mobile app support is a disappointment. When streaming media, I was definitely pleased with the dual speakers on the AMOLED display, and that's where the 4S holds one of it's strongest points. As for the battery life, it holds up fairly good for an entire work day with streaming music, texting, emailing, etc. Overall the 4S is promising with the hardware and Windows Phone OS, it's the app support in comparison to the the Android/iOS platforms that really don't give the smartphone the credit it truly deserves.

IDOL 4S first impressions:
Just got my new (and first) Alcatel phone (took only 3 days to get to me from ordering online from Microsoft store; I live in Vancouver; well done Microsoft!).
Pros:
Super thin and light! (thinner and lighter than iPhone 6s plus and iPhone 7s plus); much lighter and thinner than HP Elite x3!
High quality solid metallic 'feel' (not plastic Lumia feel)
Great screen; 5.5 inch is perfect size for me; not quite as warm as my Lumia 650 OLED screen, but still very bright and clean (same 401 ppi as iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone 7S Plus)
Excellent reception; i'm getting more bars and much stronger signal than with my 650
Call clarity is excellent; says 'HD' up in the top corner when i'm calling; i'll have to look into what that means.
Finger print reader/Windows Hello works excellent
Love the dedicated camera button! (but not completely used to the location: half way up the right side of the phone...)
Speakers sound great!
Super quick charge! Went from 10% to 100% in 30 minutes. Can't make a proper call on battery drain/use; i'm still setting things up; need more time for it to settle down into regular use to make the call...
Camera seems good; need more use to make a proper call; it's noticeably much better than my 650, but not sure if it's better than my ATIV SE....; much higher resolution than iPhones....
Double tap to unlock.
64 GB build in storage, plus Micro SD card slot: awesome!

Cons:
Can't remove battery; this my first phone where I don't have that option; not sold on this...
Super slippery feel; if you have dry hands, you better get a case (I ordered one of off dBay for $6.99; i'll let you know the verdict when I get it)
Only 3.5 GB RAM; my 3 year old ATIV SE has 2 GB RAM; for the price i just paid, i'm thinking I should be getting more RAM....
The camera lens sticks out on the back a bit farther than I thought it would; I hope I don't damage it....
No Glance Screen...
USB 3 connector means none of my other charger cables at work or school will work with this phone....have to get new extra cables.


So far: love this phone! Have not tried any of the VR stuff yet. By the way: don't 'restore from back up' when setting this phone up for the firs time; i restored from my Lumia 650 cause i wanted my start screen to look the same, and was too lazy to start from scratch; but...when none of the VR stuff showed up, i reset the phone and started new, and i got all the Alcatel VR stuff; not sure if i'll use it, but i'll give it a try.
Very solid Hardware; hope the software and apps keep up....

This phone checks all the boxes when it comes to performance. There is simply not a more fluid Windows phone out there right now. Some complain about the lack of NFC but the Wallet app has very few banks that support it anyway. Were it not for the lackluster camera performance this would be a slam dunk. The display, speakers and construction are worth the price of admission.

The Idol 4S reminds me of the HTC One M8 in build quality and finish. Under the body, the Idol 4s hardware is superior the 950XL with faster processor and more RAM and it shows in its performance. Alhough the 950xl technically is a better phone in a few places ( mainly screen and some aspects of its camera).The 950 series feel cheap and plasticky compared to the Idol 4s.

Camera: The Idol4S 21MP Camera is about as good as it gets and with a 8MP front camera.. its up there with Nokia in quality camera and on par with Samsung and Apple. That said, the triple LED flash of the 950XL which allows for some neat features only on the 950 series is missing.

Build quality : The Idol4S is in line with the HTC ONE M8 Solid Metal frame, and premium finish. Also both have dual speakers on either end of the phone. The glass back also makes for a real clean look.

Screen: Let me preface it to say the I have been spoiled by the 950XL for a while. The Idol4S with its 5.5" 401ppi screen is noticeably smaller and the body has more wasted space than the 950XL. So while the Idol frame size (6.05") is a little larger than 950XL ( 5.98" ), the 950XL screen is larger and tighter ( 5.7" screen and 515ppi screen ). This is partly due to the extra bexel for the speakers and frame of the VR Goggles. That said, overall PPI is good, the whites are bright and lines are sharp.

Key here is the DPI is lower on the Idol4S so it makes the screen feel smaller., still good. Just overall feels more like a 5.2 screen and less like the 5.5 screen it's listed as. That said a Galaxy S7 Has a 5.1" screen and same Screen-to-Body. So it's all relative. If the screen were 5.1" like a S7 its PPI would be in line. Simply its a good screen just not a great one.

Speakers: THEY ARE Awesome. Very Loud, and clear.. Amazingly so. Best I have ever seen on a phone in a long time.

Fingerprint scanner : The fingerprint scanner works every time and seems much more responsive than my LG V10 by a long shot.

VR Goggles : They are a joke. Only three or 4 apps and 2 terrible games. Also every time you stick them in you have to use their apps no work around. They are pretty much useless. Also the control buttons on them don't interface with the phone real well. They feel much more like a beta product than a real item.

In final: The Idol 4s feels premium on a level I haven't seen in a while on a WP. That said the screen is a bit of a let down when compared to my 950XL. But thats because the 950XL is one of the largest and best screens on the market. That said at $469 you wouldn't expect the screen from a $700 phone. Overall its a great deal for premium phone at a mid-grade price. Also given the limited options for WP at carriers it's all that much better. Just know the Goggles are just window dressing and fun for an hour or two. Overall kind of wish they had spent the money and used the 950XL screen and forgone the VR Goggles.