Review: Alcatel OneTouch 918N “Glory” Android Smartphone

Alcatel has recently sent me a review unit of their entry-level One Touch 918N Android smartphone. Dubbed the “Glory,” this smartphone offers dual-SIM capability, which has been popular in the emerging markets. I posted my review on Tech Wire Asia, and here are some highlights.

Pros:

• Rugged yet elegant rubberized finish
• Better screen resolution and pixel density than other smartphones in this price range like the Samsung Galaxy Y
• Dual SIM capability

Cons:

• Slower processor speed than the Galaxy Y
• Dual SIM capability is a bit limited (dual-standby only, and only SIM1 can access 3G and HSDPA)
• Very limited accessories

The verdict: the Alcatel One Touch 918N Glory is a capable entry-level smartphone that’s a good buy for its PhP 5,699 price. I mostly like the screen size and resolution as compared to, say, the Samsung Galaxy. I don’t use dual SIM much, as I would rather use a basic mobile phone with long battery for my alternate SIMs, and running two SIM cards at the same time drans the battery quickly. But for me, the Glory is a good buy for a first-time Android user on a budget.