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.
Brenda Lacourciere says
I use mine for texting and facebook mostly
Suzanne G says
I use my smartphone mostly for texting and taking photos.
Melinda Jana (@Sukki24) says
I mostly use my smartphone to play games, check emails/Facebook and pay for my Starbucks drinks
stacey dempsey says
I mostly use mine for texting my kids and taking photos and emails
homewithaneta says
I literally use my smartphone for FB or googling things all the time. Without a phone I am lost.
Clair P says
Texting, pictures and facebook
nomnombearinyvr says
I mostly use my smartphone to check email and for texting and picture taking.
nomnombearinyvr says
Rafflecopter name: Jeannie Lam
kristen visser says
I mostly use my smartphone for checking email, texting and taking pictures
Cheryl says
I use my smartphone most for texting and playing apps
Irene Eichler says
texting my kids !
mrdisco1 says
to check twitter
Elizabeth Vlug says
I don’t own a smartphone. Or a cell phone. So this would be perfect.
edmontonjb says
I mostly use my smartphone to keep in touch with my husband during the day
Jonnie
tanyab79 says
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.
mongupp says
Texting, skypeing and taking photos!
Lori Jackson says
Texting….and snapping pics of my 4yr old little man!
BlessedTA says
phone calls
Krista Miller says
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.
sojeles says
Instagram and facebook 🙂
butterflyamyc says
I mostly use mine for texting.
Amy Heffernan says
Mostly for texting and taking photos!
Heather B says
Call me old school, mine is mostly for talking since that is all we have on our current plan.
Treen Goodwin says
I use mine for texting , checking Facebook and playing games candy crush is my fave 🙂 thanks for the chance 🙂
CL Chin says
I use it for calls, texts and checking twitter and FB.
tina m says
facebook and play games!!
stephen Gordon says
For email texting and Facebook mostly. Thanks for the chance.
kathy downey says
I would think for FB,I have never owned a phone
Carol M (Lushka S0 says
Mostly talk and text
Doris Calvert says
I use it for talking,taking pictures and texting
Stephanie LaPlante says
I use it mostly for talking, texting and pictures
karinespace says
Texting, browsing random stuff, games, apps, also it’s my calendar and has reminders!
nicolthepickle says
I don’t have one, but I would use it for texting.
Lynda Cook says
I use mine for texting, searching, alarm clock, and banking
jan says
email and texting
Patrick Siu says
i use it to for texting
Theresa Black says
I use it mostly for taking pictures and texting my kids 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway.
Bailey Dexter says
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 !
Bonnie Way (@KoalaBearWriter) says
Phoning, texting, taking pictures of my kids, and checking Pinterest. 🙂
Angela Mitchell says
I mostly use mine for texting and email right now.
Jodi N Danny Mitrovic says
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!
Nancy J Montgomery says
I don’t have a smartphone yet. It’s #1 on my wish list.
Shelley Hickey says
I use it as a home phone and taking pictures.
sarah jackson says
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
Ann W says
Mostly for taking pictures and checking email
stacey perrault says
I use my smart phone for everything. From Coupons and price matching, to emails, facebook, twitter ect.
Lynn Mathieu says
I have just a basic cellphone that I use for emergency’s only so this would be wonderful if I did win it!
Amie says
It would be great for emergency and pictures ! 😀
louise says
I use my smartphone mostly for texting,facebook and checking my emails
Darlene says
I have never owned a smart phone but if I won, I would use it for texting, taking pictures and going on Instagram.
Nate Fuller says
Tweeting and social media stuff mostly, i never phone anyone anymore!
Anne Taylor says
I use the cell phone for texting my adult daughters, sharing photos and calling my dad
darw says
My phone is used as a mini computer! Emails, documents, social media, you name it I use it for.
Brenda Penton says
I use it for texting friends and family
Wendy hutton says
I use it most for texting and instagram posting
Karry Knisley says
Texting and checking out Facebook and other social media
Darlene S. says
I currently don’t have a smartphone, but if I did I would use it for pictures, email and texting.
Courtney says
Texting and taking pictures of my kids
Jenn Erin says
for texting and for checking my social media
nanasharron says
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!
Victoria Ess says
I mostly use it for texting and calling.
hmrcarlson says
I use mine for work calls and checking internet.
Judy Cowan says
I use it the most for calling my hubby and checking the internet.
Lisa Neutel says
i use my smartphone for texting, checking emails and using facebook and twitter ..i also play games
Charity Konrath says
mostly for playing games 🙂
Jessica M Walker says
Mostly use mine for checking emails and facebook.
loriag says
I use it for checking my emails and facebook.
J says
I use it mostly to communicate with family and friends.
Zoey Jiru says
Oops, mis-typed my username.
Zoey Jiru says
I like using my phone to communicate with friends who don’t live close by.
Andrew P (@apham17) says
texting and browsing the web
Silvia D says
I use it mostly to text with and keep in contact with my kids.
Tina L. says
I use my phone mostly for reading emails and browsing the web.
andrea amy says
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
Tina F says
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
Rebby says
I use my smart phone for texting and social media!
Jennifer P. says
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!!
Betty S says
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
ksceviour says
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 🙂
lyn212 says
Texting and checking emails
Asifa says
Checking my email, calling.
409cope says
I use my phone mostly to contact my sons and check my emails.
Journeys of The Zoo says
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
Donna Desforges says
I don’t own a smartphone and I don’t have data usage with my current cell phone, I would love this!
SweetPanda says
I use it for checking my emails, checking facebook and taking pics
Gillian Morgan says
I want something reliable and that has the best technology.
Erin McSweeney says
For talking since I don’t have a home phone
Jolie says
I use it for texting and snapping pics.
valerie theberge says
I use it for texting!
Sheryl Altvater says
Texting and calling my employees
ET Pruitt says
Checking my email.
Bailey says
Phone calls, texting, social media and mostly taking pictures and videos of my toddler
Jennie Yuen says
I use my phone mainly for emailing and texting.
Megan F. says
I don’t have a cell phone at all. But I think I would use it mostly for social media, pictures, and phone calls.
kristine ewald says
texting and checking emails
eleenie (@eleenie) says
I use my phone for checking emails & social media…and to make phone calls!
Sarah Oswald says
I dont have a smartphone so I cant say what I use one for.
truckerofbc says
I use my phone for communication when I am on the road, also Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Lori Bazan says
I use my smartphone the most for texting and calling family.
tamar says
I use my phone for Emails, internet searches, YouTube, Facebook.
vilmark (@vilmark) says
I mainly use my smartphone for texting and email.
Juliee Fitze says
I don’t have one but want one to text on.
Travelbuds says
I use my phone for receiving calls from my kids and for texting my friends.
darci says
Texting my kids, phoning long distance friends and sending photos of my kids
Julie Bolduc says
I use it for texts and Facebook
EL (@bunnykins12) says
I use my smartphone for google searching and texting
Jenny Rae says
I would use this for snapping pics, and talking and texting with friends and family,
Jody D says
I mostly use mine for pics, GPS and email!….and MINT and banking….and weather….and Words With Friends!
Sunshine G says
Photos and email, mostly.
Nate says
I use it for texting
Judy Cowan says
Left comment on this post https://mayahoodblog.com/2015/02/13/baked-salmon-fish-sticks-recipe/#comment-14494
Stephanie says
I use it for pictures internet talking tell texting keeping untouched with work banking playing games alarm clock k flash light
mags c (@magscheung) says
Everyday use like phone and sharing on social media.
Gene D says
mostly email and texting
Florence C says
I don’t own one but it did I was put it to good use on social media.
Lee-Ann says
I use mine mostly for texting and taking photos and checking email.
SUMMER PLEWES says
I mostly use my smartphone for texting and surfing.
lori b says
for taking pictures and texting my kids and hubby
SueSueper says
I mostly use a smartphone for taking pictures.
Wayne Lecoy says
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!!!!!!!!!!
Athena says
Mainly for texting.
elaing8 says
I mostly use it for texting
Soozle says
I use it for the internet and staying in contact with friends out of the city
Holly Wright says
I use my smart phone for text messaging most!
Lynda Torrance says
Mostly for texting
angela m says
Texting, photos and checking email
Sara Rai says
For news, emails and photos.
Dana Miller says
I mostly use it for taking photos and calender alerts, besides texting and calling.
Eva Mitton-Urban says
Contact with my two guys – Husband/Son…..communication is key to a balanced homelife.
Francine says
checking e-mail on the run
Leslie says
Checking email
David Gibb says
I don’t have a smart phone,, mine is a very dumb berry
Laurie P says
texts, email, and photos of course!
Dreena says
Photos, texting, phone calls, email.
Cheers.
Josh S says
Dont currenly own one, but would be great for texting photos to family and friends
josephine evans says
I don’t own a cell phone but would use it for texting, email and pictures! I need one!
Bons says
I use my cellphone most for talking, texting and checking emails.