I wouldn’t consider myself a techie, but interestingly enough, I spent several years working at IBM and more recently, reviewing a variety of smartphones and tablets. Fortunately (for me and my readers), by not being a techie, I get to provide feedback on functionality, features and benefits, without getting too technical. Personally I don’t want to know the technical details of a phone like the exact screen size or resolution, the processor type the download speed or the amount of internal memory. Instead, I want to know if it fits in my hand and back pocket comfortably, is it thick or thin, can I my kids watch videos, does it take good pictures, how many games and social media apps can I download without compromising the functionality of my phone and how many pictures can I take before I have to transfer and remove them from my phone! If you’re a busy parent like me, I’m sure you’ll appreciate my layman’s review of the new mid-level Alcatel Idol 2 S Smartphone. Here’s a breakdown…
Phone & Screen Size
This is a great size phone that fits nicely in the palm of your hand AND your pocket. The screen size is nice and large (5-inches for you “techy” folks), using up most of the phone’s surface which is ideal for pictures, videos, surfing the internet or looking at any of your social media feeds. While the screen is nice and large, the phone itself is very thin and light weight.
Picture & Video Quality
My kids love watching YouTube videos and shows on this phone. I’m sure the nice large screen size has something to do with it. The phone’s camera doesn’t take bad pictures, but I prefer the quality of the pictures on some of the other smartphones that I’ve tried in the past. I just find that the pictures look more pixelated and not as bright as I like them to look. However, the camera does come with some great features such as selecting the exposure and ISO, HDR mode, panorama, nigh and sports mode to name a few. When it comes to the video function its important to re-focus on the subject consistently or otherwise, the videos can turn out blurry and unfocused.
Battery Life
Overall, I would say the battery life depends on your usage. If you’re on social media all day and watching videos, the battery won’t last longer than four or five hours without charging. However, if you use the phone infrequently just for texting, average internet surfing and talking on the phone, the battery life will last much longer. Overall, I would say this is average and comparable with other smartphones.
Other unique features
The Alcatel comes with some great gesture controls. Specifically, you can zoom into images with one finger, make a call to a contact whose log details are visible on the screen when your bring the device near your face. Also, you can double click the screen to unlock it and turn over the phone to mute incoming calls or snooze your alarm
Cost
The device retails for $299 (without a contract) which is really affordable and a great price for a smartphone in the mid-level range and one that comes with so many great features.
GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will get to win one of their own Alcatel Idol 2 S Smartphone ($299 MRSP)! Contest open to all Canadians. Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest ends Tuesday March 3rd, 2015.
I use mine for texting and facebook mostly
I use my smartphone mostly for texting and taking photos.
I mostly use my smartphone to play games, check emails/Facebook and pay for my Starbucks drinks
I mostly use mine for texting my kids and taking photos and emails
I literally use my smartphone for FB or googling things all the time. Without a phone I am lost.
Texting, pictures and facebook
I mostly use my smartphone to check email and for texting and picture taking.
Rafflecopter name: Jeannie Lam
I mostly use my smartphone for checking email, texting and taking pictures
I use my smartphone most for texting and playing apps
texting my kids !
to check twitter
I don’t own a smartphone. Or a cell phone. So this would be perfect.
I mostly use my smartphone to keep in touch with my husband during the day
Jonnie
I don’t have a smartphone but I do have a regular cell phone and use it to keep in touch with family and make grocery lists and sometimes take pictures.
Texting, skypeing and taking photos!
Texting….and snapping pics of my 4yr old little man!
phone calls
Honestly I don’t even own a smartphone. I have a flip-phone that I mostly use for emergency calls & some minimal texting. I’m looking to buy a smartphone which isn’t too fancy to suit my very basic needs.
Instagram and facebook 🙂
I mostly use mine for texting.
Mostly for texting and taking photos!
Call me old school, mine is mostly for talking since that is all we have on our current plan.
I use mine for texting , checking Facebook and playing games candy crush is my fave 🙂 thanks for the chance 🙂
I use it for calls, texts and checking twitter and FB.
facebook and play games!!
For email texting and Facebook mostly. Thanks for the chance.
I would think for FB,I have never owned a phone
Mostly talk and text
I use it for talking,taking pictures and texting
I use it mostly for talking, texting and pictures
Texting, browsing random stuff, games, apps, also it’s my calendar and has reminders!
I don’t have one, but I would use it for texting.
I use mine for texting, searching, alarm clock, and banking
email and texting
i use it to for texting
I use it mostly for taking pictures and texting my kids 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway.
So far I only have a pay as go phone, but I would love one to call my grandkids more often and keep pic of them !
Phoning, texting, taking pictures of my kids, and checking Pinterest. 🙂
I mostly use mine for texting and email right now.
I don’t know what I’d do without a smartphone. I use it for texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flipp, Banking and well occasionally… talking lol! But I am defiantly in need of an upgrade. The Alcatel Idol 2 S Smartphone could help with that! Thanks for a great review and giveaway!
I don’t have a smartphone yet. It’s #1 on my wish list.
I use it as a home phone and taking pictures.
I use mine for everything under the sun , mostly social networking , if I won this one I would give it to my hubby so he can do the same
Mostly for taking pictures and checking email
I use my smart phone for everything. From Coupons and price matching, to emails, facebook, twitter ect.
I have just a basic cellphone that I use for emergency’s only so this would be wonderful if I did win it!
It would be great for emergency and pictures ! 😀
I use my smartphone mostly for texting,facebook and checking my emails
I have never owned a smart phone but if I won, I would use it for texting, taking pictures and going on Instagram.
Tweeting and social media stuff mostly, i never phone anyone anymore!
I use the cell phone for texting my adult daughters, sharing photos and calling my dad
My phone is used as a mini computer! Emails, documents, social media, you name it I use it for.
I use it for texting friends and family
I use it most for texting and instagram posting
Texting and checking out Facebook and other social media
I currently don’t have a smartphone, but if I did I would use it for pictures, email and texting.
Texting and taking pictures of my kids
for texting and for checking my social media
My phone is my lifeline. I use it for calling, banking, surfing the web and appointments. It wakes me up in the morning and it’s the last thing I see at night! Most importantly of all, it’s the photo album of all my grandchildren!
I mostly use it for texting and calling.
I use mine for work calls and checking internet.
I use it the most for calling my hubby and checking the internet.
i use my smartphone for texting, checking emails and using facebook and twitter ..i also play games
mostly for playing games 🙂
Mostly use mine for checking emails and facebook.
I use it for checking my emails and facebook.
I use it mostly to communicate with family and friends.
Oops, mis-typed my username.
I like using my phone to communicate with friends who don’t live close by.
texting and browsing the web
I use it mostly to text with and keep in contact with my kids.
I use my phone mostly for reading emails and browsing the web.
Everything other than making phone calls lol. I mostly use my phone for texting, email, facebook, instagram, and taking photos. I rarely use my phone as an actual phone lol
I do not own a smart phone but would love to own one to keep in touch with my daughter when she is working or out and when I need to text my friends
I use my smart phone for texting and social media!
I don’t own a smart phone but I would really love one for checking emails on the go, couponing, keeping myself entertained at appointments etc… Oh, and for faster texting than on my old flip phone!!
I currently don’t have a smart phone, but could give you several reasons what I would use it for, texting my children, picture taking. organizing my life
I do not have a smartphone,,:O ,,so this wuld be my first smartphone.lol..I would use it for social media ,texting,,and phone calls 🙂
Texting and checking emails
Checking my email, calling.
I use my phone mostly to contact my sons and check my emails.
I primarily use mine for checking Facebook (when I’m away from my computer), taking pictures and creating Vines.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I don’t own a smartphone and I don’t have data usage with my current cell phone, I would love this!
I use it for checking my emails, checking facebook and taking pics
I want something reliable and that has the best technology.
For talking since I don’t have a home phone
I use it for texting and snapping pics.
I use it for texting!
Texting and calling my employees
Checking my email.
Phone calls, texting, social media and mostly taking pictures and videos of my toddler
I use my phone mainly for emailing and texting.
I don’t have a cell phone at all. But I think I would use it mostly for social media, pictures, and phone calls.
texting and checking emails
I use my phone for checking emails & social media…and to make phone calls!
I dont have a smartphone so I cant say what I use one for.
I use my phone for communication when I am on the road, also Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
I use my smartphone the most for texting and calling family.
I use my phone for Emails, internet searches, YouTube, Facebook.
I mainly use my smartphone for texting and email.
I don’t have one but want one to text on.
I use my phone for receiving calls from my kids and for texting my friends.
Texting my kids, phoning long distance friends and sending photos of my kids
I use it for texts and Facebook
I use my smartphone for google searching and texting
I would use this for snapping pics, and talking and texting with friends and family,
I mostly use mine for pics, GPS and email!….and MINT and banking….and weather….and Words With Friends!
Photos and email, mostly.
I use it for texting
Left comment on this post https://mayahoodblog.com/2015/02/13/baked-salmon-fish-sticks-recipe/#comment-14494
I use it for pictures internet talking tell texting keeping untouched with work banking playing games alarm clock k flash light
Everyday use like phone and sharing on social media.
mostly email and texting
I don’t own one but it did I was put it to good use on social media.
I use mine mostly for texting and taking photos and checking email.
I mostly use my smartphone for texting and surfing.
for taking pictures and texting my kids and hubby
I mostly use a smartphone for taking pictures.
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win this Alcatel Idol 2 S Smartphone.
In response to your question of
What do you mostly use your smartphone for?
I don’t use any cell phones right now but if i did
i would use it for taking pictures,Texting and checking my emails.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!
Mainly for texting.
I mostly use it for texting
I use it for the internet and staying in contact with friends out of the city
I use my smart phone for text messaging most!
Mostly for texting
Texting, photos and checking email
For news, emails and photos.
I mostly use it for taking photos and calender alerts, besides texting and calling.
Contact with my two guys – Husband/Son…..communication is key to a balanced homelife.
checking e-mail on the run
Checking email
I don’t have a smart phone,, mine is a very dumb berry
texts, email, and photos of course!
Photos, texting, phone calls, email.
Cheers.
Dont currenly own one, but would be great for texting photos to family and friends
I don’t own a cell phone but would use it for texting, email and pictures! I need one!
I use my cellphone most for talking, texting and checking emails.