Alcatel's model line 2003, first information

Alcatel increased its model line, introducing 4 new phones on the 3GSM Congress, which is held in Cannes. Last two years the company didn’t have a full line-up and it was a problem. Now the situation is improving. The line was widen thanks to own developments and elaborations of other manufacturers. Let’s shortly describe all new handsets.

We have already written about an entry level phone Alcatel OneTouch 320. We said that it was based on the same platform as Alcatel OneTouch 311 and their differences (for example, lithium-ion battery) are not significant. We indicated that retail price of this handset would be about 119 USD on European market, according to new information, it would cost less than 100 Euro. So, it would be the cheapest phone in the line-up from Alcatel.

The other phone Alcatel OneTouch 531 is an ODM-model. Originally, it is called as Trium M320. This handset is a typical representative of the modern phones. It has 4096-color STN screen, built-in photo album to store graphical files and polyphonic mdelodes. Besides, more than one field can be added to one entry in the phonebook. Receiving this model, Alcatel reduces its prime cost, it also allows to show a phone in the shortest period of time. Already in March the phone would be available in Europe and in April it would go on sale in Russia. An expected price is about 250 Euro or less.

Next phone is an entry level Alcatel OneTouch 332. The functions are similar to Alcatel OT 311. All changes are a new screen, which us capable to support up to 4096 colors and lithium-ion battery, which enables to reduce a phone weight to 77 grams. This phone would go on sale only in the third quarter 2003. There are no data, concerning price now. We can presume, that it would be not high, taking into account that it is a low-end phone. We think that the price of Alcatel OneTouch 332 would be comparable with the price of Motorola C350, which would cost about 110-120 USD in September.

Some changes would be also in the middle class of phones. The company showed Alcatel OneTouch 535. It is equipped with a color display (4096 colors) with the resolution of 128x128 pixels. Among other features we can notice MMS support and GPRS (4+2). This model has similar features to Alcatel OT 715. For, example a new phone has two screen modes (usual and landscape). The phone would be available in the end of July in Europe. Price is unknown, we presume that it would be about 220-230 Euro.

A top model in the line is Alcatel OneTouch 735. It has the same 4096-color display with the resolution 128x128 pixels. Phone functions resemble Alcatel 715. Besides, the new model has an integrated digital camera. Unfortunately, today we don’t’ know about camera resolution and photos quality, so we can’t make conclusions. The model woud be available only in the end of the 3.Q or beginning of 4Q. The first retail price, presumably, would be the same as Alcatel OneTouch 715 would have.

An introduced line showed that Alcatel decided to consolidate their positions on the mobile market. A new balanced line-up would be very helpful in this case. But it is necessary to take into account that other companies, both leaders and second players, also increase their product line-ups. According to our estimations, in the end of the current year phones with digital camera would become more available in terms of price; some phones would overcome 250 USD- barrier. Some companies (Samsung, for example) declared that up to 80% new phones from the line would have integrated cameras and color screens. In the second half 2003 phones with the screens which can support 65000 and even 262000 colors would be available. Displays, which can show up to 4096 colors, would be integrated in the entry and middle phones. Whether the sales of introduced models are successful depends on Alcatel price policy. It’s to early to say about it, it is necessary to wait for rival products and official announcements of release dates and new phone prices.