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Alcatel Tribe review

4.3/10 AVG.
RATING
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Alcatel Tribe
Alcatel Tribe
Alcatel Tribe
Alcatel Tribe
Alcatel Tribe
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4.3/10
Informr score
The Alcatel Tribe currently has an Informr score of 4.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 4 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Alcatel OT-981A, otherwise known as the Alcatel Tribe, may look like your typical touchscreen phone, but don't be fooled, this is a QWERTY phone as well. Tucked underneath its 2.8-inch 240x320 resolution touchscreen display is a slide-out 4-row QWERTY keypad that's ideal for text input if the on-screen keypad isn’t to your liking, giving you the best of both worlds. The five shortcut buttons below its display, meanwhile, provide quick access to often used functions such as Phone, Options, Home, Back, and End/Power.

The Tribe runs on Android 2.1 and sports a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity. A 2GB microSD card has also been thrown in to the standard package to complement its meager 512MB on-board memory.

With its modest feature-set, this is not a phone well-suited to power users, but it may very well be a good option for those who’ve got the Android itch but don’t want to dole out a small fortune on a new handset.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
2.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
2.8"
2+ MP
Camera
Camera
2+ MP
1150 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Mobile Syrup
Mobile Syrup

This device is geared towards lower end users, looking for an easy to use smartphone, with all the basic features currently being offered.

- Joseph Rizzuto, Mobile Syrup


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Alcatel Tribe user manual here.


Alcatel backs up the Tribe with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Tribe has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Alcatel support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Alcatel's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
2.8"

The Alcatel Tribe's screen size is 2.8 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a Qualcomm MSM7227 processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
2+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 2+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
194 MB

Internal memory is 194 MB. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1150mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1150 mAh battery. Alcatel's performance ratings are 16.5 days standby time.

Alcatel Tribe Specs

Overview
Release Date November 21, 2010
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM7227
Internal Storage 194 MB
RAM 256 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.701 W/kg
Body: 1.16 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 262k
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 2.8 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1150 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 16.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.2 x 6.0 x 1.6 cm (4.4 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 152 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type D-pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM
ROM: 512MB
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact:
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP
PC Synchronization: SyncML
Java Application: Yes
Video Playback Formats: Unknown
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Wi-fi Encryption: -
Games: Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Alcatel OT-981A

2GB memory card included
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Alcatel Tribe Reviews
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