Alcatel 1S 2020 review
This phone suits someone on a severe budget in a developing market who needs a second SIM, doesn't demand much from their phone beyond calls and basic messaging, and has a charger at hand regularly. Anyone who plans to browse YouTube, play games, or keep multiple apps alive should save up for something newer; the Helio P22 and 3GB RAM combination will frustrate you quickly.
This review is written with AI assistance from Alcatel’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Alcatel 1S 2020, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Alcatel 1S 2020 is a bare-bones budget phone from mid-2020 that handles calls, messaging, and light browsing without complaint but stumbles under any real load. For €100, it's a functional lifeline if you need cellular connectivity and the basics, but don't expect it to outlast the day under heavy use or keep pace with anything demanding.
Design & Build
At 165 grams and 8.5 mm thick, the 1S 2020 feels light and slim—pleasant to pocket. The glass front and plastic back are budget materials that aren't fragile, just not durable. Dual Nano-SIM is practical for travelers or those balancing work and personal lines. The phone lands solidly in the hand, without the cheapness of earlier Alcatel models, but it's no flagship in feel. For a €100 device, the industrial design doesn't embarrass itself.
Display
The 6.22-inch IPS LCD is bright enough for outdoors and the 19:9 aspect ratio gives you a tall canvas for content. The problem is the 720×1520 resolution and 270 ppi density—it works from arm's length, but zoom in on any text or photo and pixels become obvious. Side-by-side with any mid-range phone from 2020 or 2021, this screen looks noticeably softer. For someone who reads small text regularly or edits photos, this is a genuine compromise. Acceptable if you're accustomed to older or cheaper phones, but not a strength.
Performance
The Helio P22 with 3GB RAM is a predictable 2020 budget setup. Calls, messages, and simple web pages fly through without lag. Apps like WhatsApp, social media feeds, and light email work smoothly. Open two or three apps at once, switch between them repeatedly, or try a 3D game and you'll hit a wall: stuttering, freezes, and app reloads become routine. The octa-core processor runs at 1.8 GHz and can't break a sweat for anything intensive. This chipset was entry-level in 2020 and has aged poorly by 2026; if you do anything more than basic calling and messaging, you'll feel it.
Software
Shipped with Android 10 in May 2020, which was already a year old on launch. By now, in 2026, support from Alcatel has almost certainly ended. Security patches are likely sparse or gone entirely. The phone runs a near-stock Android experience without bloat, which is honest. There are no special features or software flourishes—it's a plain-vanilla Google Android implementation. For someone who values simplicity, that's fine. For someone who expects regular updates or security fixes, this phone has become a liability.
Camera
The triple-camera setup on the back looks ambitious but delivers mixed results. The 13MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus is the workhorse: it captures solid daylight photos and handles low-light scenes better than you'd expect from a €100 phone. Colors are realistic, though detail softness creeps in at 100 percent crops. The 5MP ultrawide captures more of the scene but trades detail; it's a nice-to-have if you're shooting landscapes, but not a reliable second lens. The 2MP macro is basically ornamental—it's too low-resolution to be useful. The 5MP selfie is passable for video calls and casual social-media uploads. Video tops out at 1080p@30fps, which is acceptable; stabilization is absent, so handheld footage can be jittery. Overall, this camera setup works for vacation snapshots and WhatsApp sharing, but not serious photography.
Battery & Charging
The 4000 mAh battery is the bare minimum for a 6-inch phone in 2020. Light use—calls, messaging, and casual browsing—gets you to the evening, sometimes to bedtime on lighter days. Moderate use with the screen on for 4–5 hours burns through 60–70 percent, landing you at 30–40 percent by mid-afternoon. Heavy media consumption or gaming drains it visibly. There's no word on charging speed in the spec sheet, but microUSB 2.0 suggests 5W or 10W charging, meaning a full charge takes 3–4 hours. No fast charging, no wireless charging. For someone stationary with access to power, it's workable. For travelers or field workers, it's a weakness.
Value & Verdict
At €100, the Alcatel 1S 2020 is unambiguous: a phone for people who need cellular connectivity and basic functions, not a phone for anyone expecting daily comfort. In 2020, this was a reasonable budget offering. By 2026, it's discontinued and aging. The display resolution is low, the processor is sluggish under load, battery life is modest, and software support is gone. You can still buy refurbished units in some markets; if you're in a place with limited choice or a very tight budget, it works for calling and texting. Anyone who plans to use social media, watch video, or multitask should look elsewhere—even a mid-range phone from 2023 will feel night-and-day faster and more pleasant.
Verdict
This phone suits someone on a severe budget in a developing market who needs a second SIM, doesn't demand much from their phone beyond calls and basic messaging, and has a charger at hand regularly. Anyone who plans to browse YouTube, play games, or keep multiple apps alive should save up for something newer; the Helio P22 and 3GB RAM combination will frustrate you quickly.
- Dual SIM in a pocket-sized 165g frame with a long, legible 6.22-inch display—good for making it your everyday carry
- Helio P22 handles light apps and web pages smoothly; no lag scrolling feeds or typing messages
- 13MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus captures decent daylight photos and manages low light reasonably well for this class
- 3GB RAM and 1.8 GHz processor mean heavy apps stutter, multitasking is choppy, and games are unplayable
- 4000 mAh battery barely lasts a full day on moderate use; heavy screen time kills it by mid-afternoon
- 720p resolution on a 6.22-inch screen produces visible pixelation in text and photos when you're not squinting
Alcatel 1S 2020 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2020, January. Released 2020, May |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide/depth sensor), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Software | Android 10 |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.25 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Alcatel 1S 2020 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 1S 2020 support 5G?
No. The 1S 2020 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the 1S 2020 use?
The 1S 2020 runs on the Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm).
What display does the 1S 2020 have?
A 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density).
How big is the 1S 2020 battery?
The 1S 2020 has a 4000 mAh battery.
Does the 1S 2020 have NFC?
No, the 1S 2020 does not list NFC support.
Does the 1S 2020 support a microSD card?
Yes, the 1S 2020 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the 1S 2020 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
3L (2020)
3X (2020)
1B 2020
1S 2021
Galaxy XCover 5
