Choosing between two similar devices can be a real head-scratcher, especially when they share a name but offer distinct experiences. If you’re eyeing Alcatel’s popular lineup, you might be wondering about the differences between the Idol 4 and the Idol 4S. Both promise impressive features and stylish designs, but where do they truly diverge?
This comparison dives deep into what sets these two smartphones apart. We’ll explore their key specifications, design nuances, and performance capabilities to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or a first-time buyer, understanding these distinctions is crucial.
Get ready to discover which of these Alcatel powerhouses better suits your needs and budget. Let’s break down the idol 4 vs idol 4s to reveal the ultimate winner for your pocket.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | idol 4 | idol 4s |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.2-inch | 5.5-inch |
| Display Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels | 1440 x 2560 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
| RAM | 3GB | 4GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB | 32GB |
| Expandable Storage | microSD up to 512GB | microSD up to 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 13MP | 21MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Battery Capacity | 3000 mAh | 3600 mAh |
| Operating System | Android 6.0.1 | Android 6.0.1 |
| Dimensions | 147 x 72.5 x 7.1 mm | 153.9 x 75.4 x 6.99 mm |
| Weight | 147g | 165g |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Idol 4: Features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This provides a sharp and vibrant viewing experience for everyday use and media consumption. The display is good for its price point but can lack the deep blacks of AMOLED panels.
- Idol 4s: Boasts a larger 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. This offers significantly higher pixel density, leading to incredibly sharp visuals, richer colors, and deeper blacks. The AMOLED technology makes it superior for immersive media.
- Winner: idol 4s
Processor & Performance
- Idol 4: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chipset, paired with 3GB of RAM. This configuration offers solid performance for most daily tasks and moderate gaming. It’s a capable mid-range processor that handles multitasking well.
- Idol 4s: Equipped with the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 656 chipset and 3GB of RAM. While the RAM is the same, the slightly more advanced Snapdragon offers a noticeable boost in overall performance and efficiency. It can handle more demanding applications and games with greater ease.
- Winner: idol 4s
Camera System
- Idol 4: Features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The rear camera captures decent photos in good lighting conditions, but can struggle in low light. The front camera is good for selfies.
- Idol 4s: Comes with a 16MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The higher megapixel count on the rear sensor allows for more detail in photos, and it generally performs better in various lighting situations. The front camera remains excellent for selfies.
- Winner: idol 4s
Battery Life
- Idol 4: Houses a 2610 mAh battery. This capacity is adequate for a full day of moderate usage, but heavy users might find themselves reaching for a charger before the day is out. Battery optimization is decent.
- Idol 4s: Equipped with a larger 3000 mAh battery. This provides a more comfortable margin for all-day usage, even for those who are more power-hungry. The larger battery is a significant advantage for longevity.
- Winner: idol 4s
Build Quality & Design
- Idol 4: Features a glass front and back with a metal frame, giving it a premium feel. The design is sleek and modern, with a comfortable in-hand feel.
- Idol 4s: Also sports a glass front and back with a metal frame, but its slightly larger size and curved edges contribute to a very refined and premium aesthetic. The build quality is exceptional for both, but the 4s feels a touch more substantial.
- Winner: idol 4s
Audio Experience
- Idol 4: Includes dual front-facing stereo speakers tuned by JBL. This provides a loud and clear audio output, making it great for media consumption without headphones.
- Idol 4s: Also features dual front-facing stereo speakers tuned by JBL. The audio quality is equally impressive, offering a rich and immersive sound experience that is a hallmark of the Idol series.
- Winner: Tie
Storage
- Idol 4: Comes with 16GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. This is on the lower side by today’s standards and can fill up quickly with apps and media.
- Idol 4s: Offers 32GB of internal storage, also expandable via microSD. The doubled internal storage is a significant upgrade, providing much more space for apps, photos, and videos without immediate reliance on an external card.
- Winner: idol 4s
VR Capabilities
- Idol 4: Bundled with the Alcatel VR headset. This allows users to experience virtual reality content directly out of the box, adding a unique entertainment dimension.
- Idol 4s: Also comes bundled with the Alcatel VR headset, offering the same immersive VR experience. The larger, higher-resolution display on the 4s enhances the VR experience with sharper visuals.
- Winner: idol 4s
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display | idol 4s |
| Performance | idol 4s |
| Camera | idol 4s |
| Battery Life | idol 4s |
| Portability | idol 4 |
| Value | idol 4 |
| VR Experience | Both (tied) |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both devices feature vibrant AMOLED displays, offering excellent color reproduction and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience.
- Vr Capabilities: A standout feature for both the idol 4 and idol 4s is their integrated VR experience, powered by the included VR headset and dedicated button. This allows users to dive into virtual reality content with ease.
- Build Quality: You can expect a premium feel with both phones, featuring glass fronts and backs with metal frames. This design choice contributes to their sophisticated aesthetic and solid construction.
- Camera Features: Both phones boast impressive camera hardware, with a strong emphasis on capturing high-quality photos and videos. Features like optical image stabilization and fast autofocus are present in both models.
- Speaker System: Alcatel has equipped both the idol 4 and idol 4s with powerful dual front-facing speakers, delivering a rich and loud audio output for multimedia consumption.
- Fast Charging: To minimize downtime, both devices support fast charging technology, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed.
Idol 4 Vs Idol 4S Buying Guide
Performance and Gaming
The Idol 4, powered by a Snapdragon 652 processor, offers solid performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, for graphically intensive games and demanding applications, the Idol 4S, with its more powerful Snapdragon 656 chipset, truly shines. The Idol 4S provides a smoother, more fluid gaming experience, handling higher graphical settings with greater ease. If gaming is a priority, the Idol 4S is the clear choice for its superior processing power. (See Also: Demeyere 5 Plus Vs Atlantis )
Camera Capabilities
Both devices boast impressive camera systems, but the Idol 4S edges out the Idol 4 in certain aspects. While both capture vibrant and detailed photos in good lighting, the Idol 4S often produces slightly better low-light performance and sharper images due to its advanced sensor. The Idol 4S also offers more manual controls for photography enthusiasts. For those who prioritize photography and want the absolute best image quality from the pair, the Idol 4S is the more capable option.
Display and VR Experience
The Idol 4 features a vibrant 5.2-inch Full HD display, offering a great viewing experience for media consumption. The Idol 4S, on the other hand, sports a larger 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a similar Full HD resolution. The AMOLED technology on the Idol 4S contributes to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, making it ideal for watching videos and immersive VR. For those who value a larger screen and superior display technology, especially for virtual reality, the Idol 4S is the superior choice.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial consideration, and the Idol 4S generally offers a slight advantage due to its larger battery capacity. While both phones can get you through a day of moderate use, the Idol 4S is more likely to endure heavier usage without needing a charge. Both devices support fast charging, which is convenient for quick top-ups. If extended battery life is a primary concern, especially with more demanding tasks, the Idol 4S provides more longevity. (See Also: Nikon 50 1 8 Vs 1 4 )
Who Should Buy What?
Buy idol 4 If…
- You are looking for a more compact and lightweight device that is easier to handle with one hand.
- Your budget is a primary concern, and you still want a good all-around smartphone experience with VR capabilities.
- You prioritize a good balance of performance and battery life for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Buy idol 4s If…
- You desire a larger screen for enhanced media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- You need a more powerful processor and increased RAM for demanding applications and smoother performance.
- You want more internal storage for apps, photos, and videos out of the box.
- A higher-resolution display is important for sharper visuals and a more detailed viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better display?
The Idol 4S features a larger 5.5-inch AMOLED display, offering more vibrant colors and deeper blacks compared to the Idol 4’s 5.2-inch IPS LCD. While both are Full HD, the AMOLED technology on the Idol 4S provides a more immersive and visually richer experience, especially for media consumption and VR.
Is the Idol 4S significantly faster than the Idol 4?
The Idol 4S is powered by a slightly more capable chipset, the Snapdragon 656, compared to the Idol 4’s Snapdragon 652. This difference translates to smoother performance in demanding applications and graphically intensive games. While the Idol 4 is no slouch, the Idol 4S offers a noticeable performance boost for power users.
Which phone is better for photography?
While both phones take good pictures, the Idol 4S generally offers slightly superior camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions. Its advanced sensor and potentially better image processing can result in sharper and more detailed photos. For users who prioritize mobile photography, the Idol 4S is the more capable device. (See Also: Samsung Pro Vs Evo 850 )
Does the Idol 4S have better battery life?
Yes, the Idol 4S typically offers better battery life due to its larger battery capacity. While both phones can last a full day with moderate usage, the Idol 4S is more likely to endure heavier use or extended periods without needing a recharge, making it a more reliable choice for power users.
Is the VR experience better on the Idol 4S?
The Idol 4S is generally considered to offer a better VR experience. This is due to its larger and more vibrant AMOLED display, which provides a more immersive visual output. Combined with its slightly more powerful processor, the Idol 4S can handle VR applications more smoothly and with greater fidelity.
Final Verdict
The Alcatel Idol 4 and Idol 4S both offer compelling features for their price points. However, the Idol 4S consistently outperforms the Idol 4 in key areas such as display quality, processing power, camera performance, and battery life. While the Idol 4 is a solid choice for general use, the Idol 4S provides a more premium and capable experience, especially for gaming and multimedia. The larger AMOLED screen and enhanced internals make the Idol 4S the superior device overall.
Winner: Alcatel Idol 4S