Released in different eras, the Alcatel Idol 4 and OnePlus 3T represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Idol 4 aimed for affordability with a focus on multimedia, while the 3T positioned itself as a 'flagship killer' offering near-premium performance at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on the core hardware that defines their user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and longevity, the OnePlus 3T is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 821 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and a smoother experience, justifying its higher initial price point. However, the Idol 4 remains a viable option for budget-conscious users with less demanding needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (optional) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - 6055Y, 6055K, 6055B, 6055I | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - North America |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - 6055K | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 30 - North America |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps or LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 17, 28 - 6055B, 6055I | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global model |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, June | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 72.5 x 7.1 mm (5.79 x 2.85 x 0.28 in) | 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm (6.01 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (6055K, 6055I) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Optic AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2x2.35 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM (6055Y,6055K), 16GB 3GB RAM (6055B,6055H,6055I) | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, Auto HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | Hi-Fi audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 20W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 520 h (2G) / Up to 520 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2610 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Dark Gray, Rose Gold, Metal Silver | Gunmetal, Soft Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | 6055K, 6055P, 6055B, 6055U, 6055I, 6055H, 6055Y | A3010, A3003 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise-94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.232 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171678 (v7)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
alcatel Idol 4
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- QC2 support offers reasonably fast charging for its class.
- Potentially lighter and more compact due to less powerful hardware.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the OnePlus 3T.
- Likely shorter software support lifespan.
- Camera quality is expected to be inferior.
OnePlus 3T
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 821.
- Faster 20W charging.
- Likely better camera quality and features.
- Higher initial cost.
- Potentially more prone to thermal throttling under extreme load (though the 14nm process helps).
- May be slightly larger and heavier.
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar display contrast ratio of Infinite (nominal) and 4.232 in sunlight, suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel type, resolution, or refresh rate. Given the Idol 4’s market positioning, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD, while the 3T may have benefitted from a slightly higher quality panel. The absence of detailed display specs makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the 3T’s higher price suggests a potentially superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the 3T’s positioning, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Idol 4, targeting a lower price point, likely utilizes a simpler camera module. Without specific sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing details, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the 3T is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 3T’s Snapdragon 821 (14nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Alcatel Idol 4’s Snapdragon 617 (28nm). The 821 features a quad-core Kryo architecture with higher clock speeds (2x2.35 GHz & 2x1.6 GHz) compared to the Idol 4’s octa-core Cortex-A53 setup (4x1.7 GHz & 4x1.2 GHz). The smaller 14nm process node of the 821 also translates to improved thermal efficiency and power consumption. This means the 3T will handle demanding tasks and sustained workloads with significantly less throttling, benefiting gamers and power users. The Idol 4’s 617 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both devices have an endurance rating of 83 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The OnePlus 3T boasts 20W wired charging, while the Idol 4 supports 18W with Quick Charge 2.0. This means the 3T will charge faster, minimizing downtime. While the battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 821 in the 3T will likely result in comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the Idol 4.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel Idol 4 if you need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the OnePlus 3T if you prefer a faster, more responsive device capable of handling demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking, and value a longer software support lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 617 in the Alcatel Idol 4 sufficient for playing modern mobile games?
While the Snapdragon 617 can handle some mobile games, it will struggle with graphically demanding titles at higher settings. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering in games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. The OnePlus 3T’s Snapdragon 821 provides a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the charging speed difference (18W vs 20W) translate to real-world usage on the OnePlus 3T and Alcatel Idol 4?
The 2W difference may not seem significant, but the OnePlus 3T’s 20W charging will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a faster top-up from 0% to 50%, and a quicker overall charge cycle compared to the Idol 4’s 18W charging.
❓ Will the Alcatel Idol 4 receive software updates and security patches for an extended period?
Given its age and market segment, the Alcatel Idol 4 is unlikely to receive long-term software support. The OnePlus 3T, being a more premium device, had a longer support window, but even that is nearing its end. Security updates are a concern for both devices.
