IFA 2017 | Alcatel debuts Idol 5 and Idol 5S entry-level and mid-range handsets

The new, European version of the Alcatel Idol 5S. (Source: GSM Arena)

Two new Alcatel Idol smartphones are now available for European consumers. The Idol 5 is a budget device with a quad-core processor and limited storage space, while the Idol 5 features higher specs including an octa-core CPU and twice as much internal memory.

by John Garcia, 2017/09/02

Smartphone

Alcatel has added two new members to its Idol family of smartphones: the Idol 5 and Idol 5S. The pair feature decent specs at relatively affordable prices, and are currently available for purchase in Europe.

First up, the specs for the Idol 5:

5.2-inch 1080p display with Dragontail Glass
1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6753 quad-core processor
Mali-T720 MP3 graphics
3 GB of RAM
16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD
13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and dual-LED flash
5-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.4 aperture
Non-removable 2,800 mAh battery

The new Idol 5S (not to be confused with the Snapdragon-toting US version) swaps the quad-core CPU for a much more capable Helio P20 octa-core processor, replaces the GPU with a faster Mali-T880, and doubles the amount of internal storage to 32 GB. It features an 8-megapixel selfie camera but lowers the rear camera's resolution by one megapixel compared to the Idol 5, down to 12 MP. Finally, the Idol 5S's battery gets a tiny bump in capacity to 2,850 mAh.

Both the Idol 5 and 5S run Android Nougat 7.1. The Idol 5 is available in Metal Silver and Metal Black for €239.99 (US$285). The Idol 5S comes in only one color, Dark Gray, and costs significantly more at €399.99 (US$474).

No word on when or if these two phones are heading stateside.