Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL is an otherwise capable phablet, and you won't find a device of a similar size and price in T-Mobile's lineup. But if you're willing to go the unlocked route, both the Blu Life One X and the Huawei Honor 5X offer better builds, faster hardware, nicer displays, and a more comprehensive Android app ecosystem for a similar price. Unless you're a true Windows enthusiast, you're better off picking an Android alternative.”
“The Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL is a capable large-screen phone for those who don't want to spend a lot and like what Windows Phone 10 has to offer. While there's no standout feature, the device performs well for a budget phone. Be prepared for a lack of apps compared to Android and iOS (something Windows Phone fans have likely come to grips with) and a poor camera (something they shouldn't have to settle for). If you want to give Windows a whirl, though, the Fierce XL is an inexpensive way to do it.”
“I have to say that, for $119 (plus tax), the Fierce XL is a fantastic device overall. It performs well, lasts a long time, and has a camera that can get the job done. If you’re someone who doesn’t use their smartphone too much, but wants something that’s still somewhat capable, the Fierce XL is very hard to beat.”
“I would be inclined to say it’s an “okay”, maybe even “decent” phone if its speaker were at least average. One of the joys of owning a 5.5-inch display phone is being able to watch videos on it with aplomb. The display handles the visual side of the experience well, but the speakers are so abysmal that it ruins any chance of a decent non-headphone-powered viewing experience. Speaker performance was one of those things I had taken for granted with other phones and was shocked at how much it dampened the smartphone experience.”
Watch before you decide
What people say
1 community rating · Recommendation data coming soon.
Nice larger screen , but...I should have gotten a LG K-& !! This one mutes by mistake when on speaker phone mode then the call is disconnected one way or another (painful issue) plus the frequents box appears (always) so you can never miss the accidental opportunity to call people when your ear t...
In Depth
Besides Microsoft, Alcatel is one of the few manufacturers producing Windows 10 phones. The OneTouch Fierce XL might not be the best phone available, but it is one of the only Windows options for T-Mobile users. For its size, it also is one of the cheapest phones available from the carrier so it might be enough to entice a few people switching from their feature phone to a smartphone.
The Fierce XL, as the name suggest, is quite large measuring in at 5.98 x 3.06 x 0.37 inches. As expected, reviewers had problems using it one-handed despite its size and thick bezel. With that said, they note that its plastic chassis makes it uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. As far as design, most were unimpressed with its generic rectangular design with rounded corners. The only thing that sets it apart from other phones is the blue back cover and the awkward camera housing bulge that prevents the phone from lying flat.
As a budget phone, there are certain compromises Alcatel had to make in order to reduce cost. The most obvious is the screen. The 5.5-inch screen only has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. At this size, experts were not surprised at its lack of sharpness though they were let down with its poor viewing angles and bright light visibility. On the plus side, they did find the colors to be fairly vivid albeit on the cooler side of the spectrum.
Powered by a 1.1GHz quad core processor and 2GB of RAM, the Fierce XL might not be the fastest phone on the market, but it handles basic tasks relatively well. With that said, critics point out it is slow to open and switch between apps. Likewise, gaming performance didn’t blow them away especially with the more graphics intensive games. Battery life, on the other hand, did meet their expectations lasting a full day with moderate usage.
As for the 8MP rear camera, it didn’t win over any of the reviewers. The pictures they took were average at best with lack of definition and graininess appearing prevalent in almost every shot. The front 2MP camera was also very poor with very bad detail and poor color accuracy.
Of course, the biggest hurdle Windows phones needs to overcome is the lack of apps. Unfortunately, with millions of apps on Apple and Android, Windows has a very long way to go.
Despite its shortcomings, most reviewers recommend it for people who want a capable budget phone and don’t care about having top specs or millions of apps. Tom’s Guide states, “While there’s no standout feature, the device performs well for a budget phone.” With that said, most of them suggest spending extra to get a better experience with a budget Android phone. Win Beta states, “It’s very well-priced, but I feel I wouldn’t want to live with this phone for an extended period of time.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL released?
The Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL was released on November 2, 2015.
How long does the battery last on the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL?
The Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL has a 2,500 mAh battery.
Does the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL support wireless charging?
No, the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL does not support wireless charging.
Does the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL have NFC?
No, the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL manual?
You can view and download the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
Loading answers…
Loading answers…
✓ Question submitted. We'll notify you when someone answers.
We sent a verification link to . Click it to publish your question.
Can't find it? Check your spam folder.
Finish the security check above to post your question.
Your name shows with your question.
How it compares
New phones, honest scores.
One email when something worth knowing changes. No deal spam, no filler.
Mine did this from day one. The only way to fix it is to do a factory reset. Make sure to back up your info to a memory card first.