Alcatel Pixi 4 (5)

Entry-level Android smartphones are long overdue for a makeover and we’re not talking about just the cosmetic side of things. High-end smartphone features are being rapidly adopted by mainstream phones, which is why the Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 smartphone segment is flourishing, and now we feel it's high time that they trickle down even further. 

Until that happens, we have to make do with a lot of compromises in the entry-level segment. Our last encounter here was with the Zen Cinemax 3 (Review) which didn’t make a strong impression on us. We’re hoping that Alcatel has better luck with the new Pixi 4 smartphone.

Alcatel Pixi 4 design and build
The phone is available in a number of sizes globally. In India, we have the 5-inch version. Build quality of the Alcatel Pixi 4 is decent as the plastics used feel durable and the finish isn’t crude. It’s a bit on the thicker side at 9.5mm and also a little heavy at 169 grams. However, the grip and ergonomics are fairly good. The Pixi 4 is available in multiple colour trims, of which we have the gold version today.

The 5-inch capacitive display on the Alcatel Pixi 4 has a low 480x854 pixel resolution, which is not uncommon in this price segment. More than the resolution being low, it’s the quality of the panel that’s disappointing. The vertical and horizontal viewing angles are poor which leaves you with a very narrow sweet-spot in which the display can be seen as intended, before colours begin inverting. Touch response is fairly decent but the display surface is a magnet for fingerprints.