TCL Communication, the global brand that owns Alcatel, launched a series of smartphones this week at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
The new line-up includes the Alcatel 5, Alcatel 3V, 3C and 3X, and the Alcatel 1C and 1X, all priced under R5 000.
However, only the Alcatel 1X will be available in SA. The company says it should arrive within the next few months and will be priced at around R1 500.
The Alcatel 1X is the company's first Android Oreo (Go edition) device, and is also the lowest priced smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio.
Android Oreo (Go edition) is software designed for lower-end devices. It offers an improved user experience by optimising the Android operating system and applications to run more efficiently on devices with 1GB or less of memory. This means the phone will also come integrated with Google's digital personal assistant, OK Google.
The 18:9 aspect ratio was first seen last year at the same trade show on LG's flagship, and later in the year Samsung followed suit. It is a size used in cinematography, and because it is thinner and longer, manufacturers say the devices fit easily into a user's hand.
"The 1 series breaks the entry-level stigma of bulky design, low-quality displays, poor performance and disappointing camera experiences," says Ernst Wittmann, regional manager for Southern and East Africa at TCL.
"The introduction of the Alcatel 1X powered by Android Oreo (Go edition) sets a new benchmark for smartphone affordability and connectivity for customers across the globe."
The Alcatel 1X will feature a suite of pre-installed Google apps, including Google Go, Files Go, Google Maps Go, YouTube Go and Gmail Go. These apps have been specially designed to increase speed, slow demand on storage, and minimise data usage.
Chrome, Google Play and Gboard on the device have also been optimised for low-end devices.
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