A new Windows 10 smartphone from Alcatel OneTouch is about to give Microsoft a boost, after the lackluster release of the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Called Fierce XL, the budget smartphone is equipped with Windows 10 and a number of other interesting features.
WMPowerUser stated that the Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor and 2GB of RAM. It will feature a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen with Dragontail glass display protection. The device will also have an 8-megapixel primary camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter. The Fierce XL will have 16GB of internal memory, microSD card support and a non-removable 2,500mAh battery. GSM Arena also wrote that the handset will have VoLTE support, Wi-Fi Calling 2.0 and capacitive buttons.
Based on the specifications, the Fierce XL with Windows 10 will belong in the lower-midrange class. Without a contract, the smartphone should be available at under $199. It will become available in the following months, with T-Mobile being the U.S. carrier. T-Mobile has prepared an extensive training guide on Windows 10 for its employees, which means that the carrier will most likely be showcasing more Windows 10 mobile devices in the coming months. Users can also avail of the new phone at MetroPCS.
CNet revealed that the Fierce XL is the first among many Windows 10 smartphones that Alcatel is planning to release in 2016. The company is also aiming to launch a new Windows 10-based “superphone” that will possibly compete with Apple and Samsung flagship models, according to Steve Cistulli, senior vice president of Alcatel’s North America region. Currently, iPhones and Android-based handsets comprise almost 93 percent of the mobile phone market, while Windows has a mere 2.6 percent. Microsoft reportedly had over 110 million people install their new software in the first 10 weeks after it was launched in July 2015.
The move would be a change for Alcatel OneTouch, which has built a reputation for creating low-end phones. At present, there is no Alcatel phone that can be deemed as a superphone. However, Cistulli hinted that they will be releasing one later in 2016. One of the main reasons why Alcatel is banking on Windows 10 is the platform’s ability to run the same apps across various devices, regardless of type, based on the same CNet report.
“We’re going to have the leading specs to take on the best smartphones. We’re committed to Windows 10,” said Cistulli during an interview before the Consumer Electronics Show.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
