Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Alcatel has shown off updated versions of their entry-level smartphones and given CES attendees a sneak peek of what their close connection with TCL could bring to future hardware.
As a sign of things to come, both the new Alcatel 1X and Alcatel 1C will feature TCL-made 18:9 FullView displays.
The new Alcatel 1X will also run on a full version of Android Oreo rather the Go Edition found in the old one and feature a dual-lens camera system (13-megapixel f/2.0 + a 2-megapixel depth sensor) like that found in more expensive Alcatel devices. The new Alcatel 1X also touts a slightly-reworked version of the nifty suede design incorporated by its 2018 counterpart.
Meanwhile, the new Alcatel 1C will run on Android Go: Oreo Edition and boasts a 5-megapixel (f/2.4) rear camera and textured plastic design. It's expected to be the more affordable of the two devices.
The other cool piece on display at Alcatel's CES 2019 booth was a pair of display prototypes developed by Alcatel's parent company TCL. One was a curved edge display similar to that found in the Galaxy S8 while the other featured a "hole" like that found in the newly announced Huawei Nova 4.
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG Alcatel wouldn't indicate to us when or how these prototype components might be incorporated into their existing products but, should they go that route, it could very well make their budget smartphones sharper-looking and more competitive on features than ever.
No word yet on pricing and availability but expect the Alcatel 1X and Alcatel 1C to make their way to Australia sometime in 2019.
Disclosure - PC World Australia's coverage of this year's CES in Las Vegas was sponsored by Intel and MSI who covered the costs of our flights and accommodation.
For a full wrap-up of everything we covered at this year's CES in Las Vegas, click here.
