Available now from T-Mobile is Alcatel Onetouch’s Pop Astro, an entry-level, LTE-enabled smartphone with an attractive price that should be able to fit well within low budgets. More information, including the full spec list, can be found below. Some of the basic specs include a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU (by MediaTek), Android 4.4 “KitKat,” a 5MP rear-facing camera, 4G LTE support (bands 2/4/12), 4GB of internal storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD) and a 4.5-inch display (540×960 resolution). While its specs aren’t the greatest, they’re still fairly reasonable, especially considering its $149.76 price (or $6.24 per month over 24 months). However, the Pop Astro, while seemingly decent overall, doesn’t position itself very well compared to the even more affordable second-generation Moto E.
Press Release
POP ASTRO™ FROM ALCATEL ONETOUCH LANDS AT T-MOBILE
IRVINE, Calif. – April 29, 2015 – ALCATEL ONETOUCH today announced availability of their newest affordable LTE smartphone, POP Astro™, available at T-Mobile stores and online for $0 down, and $6.24 per month over 24 months ($149.76 MSRP)*. The incredibly affordable POP Astro continues ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s legacy of offering high-quality, low-cost smartphones to T-Mobile customers and will be available at participating T-Mobile retail locations, online and authorized retailers starting on April 29.
Powered by MediaTek’s latest quad-core LTE processor – the first of its kind in North America – the POP Astro brings the speed of LTE to the masses, including HD Digital Voice, allowing for crystal clear calls between capable devices anywhere on T-Mobile’s Data Strong™ network. The POP Astro is also VoLTE compatible as well as Wi-Fi calling ready. With improved graphics processing power that delivers high-end performance with low power consumption, the ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP Astro can handle all of your media, gaming and app usage giving users an out of this world experience.
“ALCATEL ONETOUCH and T-Mobile have built a strong partnership by offering great looking, high-quality, affordable devices like POP Astro to our customers,” said Steve Cistulli, Senior Vice President & General Manager of North America for ALCATEL ONETOUCH. “We’ve been committed to bringing more affordable LTE devices, such as the POP Astro, into the hands of customers, further democratizing smart mobile technology and giving budget conscious consumers better choices in their smartphone experience.”
Featuring a crisp 4.5-inch qHD (960 x 540) display and easy to hold design, the POP Astro is the perfect smartphone for consumers who want LTE connection speeds, without having to pay unnecessary high prices. A follow up to the popular Fierce and Fierce 2 smartphones previously released with T-Mobile, the POP Astro comes with a 5MP main camera with live filters, allowing users to find the best look for their photos before snapping the perfect shot. The POP Astro also runs the easy-to-use Android operating system, giving consumers access to all the great Google Now features, while keeping the overall user experience simple and intuitive.
POP Astro Key Features:
- 4.5” qHD TFT 16M Color Display (960 x 540 pixels)
- 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MTK6732 processor
- 4G LTE Cat 4 (B2/4/12)
- Android KitKat 4.4 OS
- 5MP Fixed Focus Main Camera + VGA Front-Facing Camera
- 1GB of RAM + 4GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB with MicroSD)
- 2000mAH battery for up to 8 hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby time
- Also Features: VoLTE, FCC Mandated Anti-Theft Protection and T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling compatibility
“With the launch of the ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP Astro, MediaTek has proven its LTE readiness for the U.S. market,” said Mohit Bhushan, GM and VP of U.S. Business Development for MediaTek. “This ensures consumers have greater choice as we work with our OEM partners, like ALCATEL ONETOUCH, to put premium technology in the hands of everyone, everywhere.”
For more information on POP Astro, or to learn more about ALCATEL ONETOUCH, visit www.alcatelonetouch.us.
*Device Pricing for Well-Qualified Customer: $0 down + $6.24/mo x 24, total price $149.76. If you cancel wireless service remaining balance on phone becomes due. 0% APR; O.A.C. Taxes & fees additional. Qualifying service required.
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