Alcatel takes the wraps off Idol 5 and new VR headset

Alcatel has announced the Cricket-exclusive Idol 5, a mid-range smartphone with a few nifty features on board. It’s a great option for those who love watching videos and listening to music, as it has two front-facing speakers we would love to see on more devices.

The Idol 5 also sports what Alcatel calls a Now Key that’s located on the right side of the device and can be programmed to launch your favorite app, turn on the flashlight, take a selfie, and more. It’s quite easy on the eyes, with the front featuring a symmetrical design that allows you to use the device upside down thanks to the reversible UI. The metal backplate, on the other hand, looks quite minimalistic and is curved on the sides for a better feel in the hand.

The handset comes with a 5.2-inch Full HD display and is powered by the MediaTek Helio P20 chipset. It has 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage that can be expanded for an additional 256 GB. Alcatel’s latest smartphone is also equipped with a 12 MP primary camera and a 5 MP secondary shooter with LED flash, which should help improve your selfies in low-light conditions. Other things worth pointing out are a 2,850 mAh battery with support for fast charging and Android 7.0 Nougat.

Alcatel has also revealed its new virtual reality headset alongside the Idol 5 called Uni360 — sold separately. It has lenses with a 120-degree field of view, adjustable top and side straps, and works with any Android smartphone sporting a screen size between 5 and 6-inches.

You’ll be able to get both the Idol 5 and Uni360 from Cricket starting on October 27. The former will set you back $200, while you’ll be able to get the VR headset for $49.99. Any takers?