Alcatel launches its IDOL 5 and IDOL 5S smartphones

Update: The Alcatel Idol 5 is now available on Cricket Wireless.

At IFA 2017, Alcatel launched its IDOL 5S and IDOL 5 smartphones, based on the MediaTek Helio P20 and MT6753 respectively. The IDOL series offers striking style and premium craftsmanship, with a 7.5mm sleek metal unibody design and 5.2-inch Full HD display (423 PPI) wrapped in 2.5D curved glass.

Its 2,850mAh battery has Pump Express 2.0 fast charging, with a 2hr full charge time (over 50% faster than without).

The IDOL 5S with the Helio P20 has a 12MP rear camera with EIS, ultra-fast hybrid autofocus (PDAF+CAF) and dual-tone flash. At the front there’s an 8MP selfie camera with front flash. Alcatel even adds some cool camera features such as Cinemagraphs (still photos with minor moving elements) and Light Trace (an imaging technique that adds light to an under-illuminated subject while taking a long-exposure photograph).

Also integrated into the front are powerful, front-facing 3.6W stereo speakers. Alcatel claims its intelligent sound system can automatically adapt the audio experience by learning the user’s listening habits.

The IDOL 5 is also a 5.2-inch device with Full HD display and 2.5D curved glass, however instead is powered by the MediaTek MT6753 (also Octa-core) and features a slightly different camera setup of rear 13MP (that can boost up to 16MP via interpolation) and front-facing 5MP camera with 84° wide angle lens.

Actatel gives The IDOL 5 a customizable ‘Now Key’ that allows users assign and launch specific apps, tasks or actions. Simply tap the dedicated floating Now Key, positioned anywhere on the home screen and it quickly and easily triggers the assigned action.

Alcatel IDOL 5S is due for availability in Europe, and the IDOL 5 in both Europe and LATAM areas in Q4 2017.