OneTouch Idol 3 Release Date news: Launching for US and Canada Markets

By Dondi Tiples, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, August 11, 2015

A few months after Alcatel-Lucent announced its OneTouch Idol 3, it will be releasing the 4.7-inch version for US and Canada.

With only the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 5.5-inch smartphone available since it's unveiling in March, the 4.7-inch version is set to be launched for U.S. and Canada markets starting Aug. 14.

Set to be priced at $180 vis-à-vis the 5.5-inch version's $250 price tag, the smaller Alcatel OneTouch Idol will be packing a quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor with 1.5GB of RAM under the hood and 16GB of internal storage expandable to 32GB via a microSD slot.

Its smaller display is down to 720p from the 5.5-inch version's 1080p, and it will run on a 2,000mAh battery housed in a 7.55mm frame.

The smartphone has a 13MP main camera at the rear of the phone, with a 5MP front-facing shooter for selfies. It is also equipped with front-facing JBL Audio speakers

The OneTouch Idol 4.7-inch version comes with Android 5.0.2 out of the box, and features a user interface that rotates whichever direction the phone is held, making it the first ever truly reversible phone.

To counter the Stagefright security flaw discovered as an Android vulnerability in July, Alcatel is releasing a hotfix security update that users will receive to patch up the security gap as soon as they first turn on their phone.

The OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 will be pitted directly against Motorola's third-generation Moto G 2015 smartphone that was launched in July. While the Moto G is water resistant and customizable via Moto Maker, it also sells for the same price.

With 4G LTE connectivity, and GSM compatibility with North American carriers, including T-Mobile and AT&T, the OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 will be available unlocked and contract-free via Amazon and Alcatel's website by Friday this week.