[This review originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]
By Roni Callanta
Almost everyone I know has a Facebook and/or Twitter account. Nowadays, it is all about being able to manage your social networking sites right at the palm of your hand. And that’s where the smartphone sashays right in.
Sporting a seemingly similar physique to the iPhone, the Alcatel One Touch 990 catches your eye with its sleek and stylish exterior. Quite an impressive look to a brand that is fresh in the smartphone game.
Packing Android 2.2, WiFi, HSDPA connectivity and a 3.5-inch capacitive screen, the smartphone allows you to display images with large and sharp resolution (320×480).
Photo and video-taking are made convenient with its 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus, and an additional sensor on the front for video conferencing.
Not only does the One Touch 990 have similar exterior features to the iPhone, but it also has almost the same interface—navigation is made just as easy with a few swipes of your thumb from top to bottom, left to right.
The One Touch 990 packs your basic smartphone necessities such as Google Chrome, (Opera Mini – surf the Internet with Google Chrome and Opera Mini browsers), instant messengers, push e-mail and various social networking sites, as well as an FM radio and an assisted GPS.
With only 200 MB of internal memory space, packing the smartphone up is only made possible with a microSD card slot that can carry up to 32GB.
Despite the Alcatel One Touch 990 being relatively new in the smartphone business, it gets the job done when it comes to your browsing, Facebook and Twitter needs.
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating System: Android Froyo 2.2
CPU: 600 MHz processor
LCD Size: 3.5” capacitive touch 262k
Resolution: 320 x 480
Physical Dimensions: 116 x 62.2 x 12.2 mm
Weight: 140g
Band: 2G – GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G – HSDPA 900 / 2100
WHAT’S HOT:
Similar iPhone physique and interface
Optical trackpad
Reasonably priced
Facebook button for easy share
WHAT’S NOT:
Faulty touch-sensitive controls
Lags on command
Small touchscreen keypad
BOTTOMLINE:
The Alcatel One Touch 990 displays your basic needs in social networking sites at a reasonable price.
BUY METER: 8