Channelnews : telstra expands alcatel line-up after zte drop

Telstra has added three new budget smartphones to its prepaid arsenal – the Alcatel 1X ($129), Telstra Superior and Telstra Essential Plus ($99) – following the telco’s decision to drop

Chinese-based ZTE over security concerns. Last week, Telstra added the 6-inch ‘Superior’ ($199) to its portfolio, which commentators claim is a rebadged Alcatel 3V. The Superior aims to

offer mid-range specs at a budget price, including 2GB RAM and 16GB on-board storage, plus dual rear cameras [12MP & 2MP]. Earlier this year, Telstra ceased selling ZTE handsets, leading

Alcatel to seemingly fulfil some of Telstra’s whitelabel prepaid device demands. Scheduled for release September 4th, the sub $100 Telstra Essential Plus is a 4.95-inch Android G device

with Google Play Protect. Whilst the Essential Plus is yet to be listed on Telstra’s website, commentators predict the device will be a derivative of Alcatel’s 1, unveiled earlier this year.

The new 5.34-inch Alcatel 1X will also release early September, featuring an 8MP [rear] and 5MP [front] camera with 1GB RAM and 16GB storage. Like most devices, the new pre-paid phones are

locked to Telstra’s network, however, may be unlocked for an additional fee. Whilst incorporating Alcatel hardware, like previous whitelabel devices the new phones are optimised for the

Telstra network – a potential competitive advantage for the telco over retail outlets. Below are the specs of the original Alcatel devices, following their unveiling earlier this year: About

Post Author Roma Christian CONTRIBUTOR (Award-nominated technology writer)