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Verdict
The Alcatel 1X (2019) is a temptingly affordable entry-level phone with a surprisingly appealing 5.5-inch display, a dual-lens camera and solid build quality.
It’s a well put together device for the price.
However, its cheap and cheerful appeal is critically hobbled by terrible performance, forcing us to recommend that you pay just a little extra for a phone that will be much easier to live with.
Who's this for?
The Alcatel 1X (2019) is for those on the strictest of budgets, or for those to whom spending anything above $120/£100 on a smartphone seems like the height of foolishness.
Should you buy it?
Even at just $120/£100, the Alcatel 1X (2019) doesn’t represent a good buy. Its display and general design are pretty good, but its performance barely reaches a base level of usability.
It will just about do the basics adequately, but if you’re looking for a rounded smartphone experience and true value for money, we’d strongly advise that you save up just a little more and buy something better.
There are some much better alternatives, such as these three:
Moto E5
The Moto E5 is comparable to the Alcatel 1X (2019) in that it offers a 5.7-inch 720p display and similarly poor performance. It’s also a little pricier than the Alcatel at around £120/AU$230 (roughly $160).
On the flip side, with the Moto E5 you get the company’s usual solid build quality that lifts it above most of its affordable rivals, along with a much bigger battery. We prefer Motorola’s lighter (and more up to date) take on the Android OS, too.
Ultimately, we still think it’s worth splashing above $175/£150/AU$250 for your next smartphone, but if you’re determined to keep it cheap, the Moto E5 is a safe bet.
Read our full Moto E5 review
Nokia 5.1
The Nokia 5.1 offers superior design, performance, and software for just a little more money. You can currently get it for around the £120 mark (roughly $165 or AU$240, though it's not officially available in the US or Australia).
This is a much more desirable phone than the Alcatel 1X (2019), with a sleek metal body. Its 5.5-inch 18:9 display is the same size and shape, but at FHD+ it’s also much sharper.
You also get a fingerprint scanner with the Nokia 5.1, which goes further towards providing a fully rounded day to day experience.
Read our full Nokia 5.1 review
Moto G7 Play
Another indication of what you can get if you stray a little north of the $120/£100 border. The Moto G7 Play gets you a clean design, up to date software, great battery life and zippy day to day performance for around the $180/£130/AU$270 mark.
You also get some of those little inclusions that add up to a more comfortable experience, such as a fingerprint sensor and 32GB of storage.
Yes, the Moto G7 Play is more expensive than the Alcatel 1X (2019). But it’s way better value for money.
Read our full Moto G7 Play review
First reviewed: June 2019
