alcatel 1S (2020) Specs and Review: A Detailed Look at Performance

This alcatel 1S 2020 full specifications and review looks at a phone that arrived as a simple, low-cost option in early 2020 and has since left production. If you are reading an alcatel 1S review today, you are most likely looking at a used handset, a spare phone for a family member, or a second device for basic tasks. That context matters, because the alcatel 1S specs were modest even at launch, and the value of the phone now depends on price, condition, and what you expect it to do. This guide works through the design, screen, hardware, cameras, battery, and software in plain terms, using the verified specifications for the model sold as 5028Y and 5028D.

The phone was announced in January 2020, and the alcatel 1S 2020 release date in May 2020 put it on sale in the spring of that year. The alcatel 1S 2020 price in Europe at launch was around 100 EUR, which placed it firmly in the budget phone class. That alcatel 1S price and the alcatel 1S release in spring 2020 explain why it was aimed at first-time buyers. It was an entry-level phone aimed at buyers who wanted a large screen, a usable camera, and a long-lasting battery without paying for a mid-range handset. The alcatel 1S 2020 discontinued budget phone from 2020 is no longer made, so new stock is rare and most examples on sale now are second-hand. The sections below treat it as a device from its own era, not as a rival to phones released years later.

Design and Build Quality

The alcatel 1S (2020) uses a plastic body with a glossy rear panel and a waterdrop notch at the top of the display. It feels light in the hand, and the curved edges help a 6.22-inch phone stay comfortable during calls and reading. The rear fingerprint sensor sits in the middle of the back panel, where an index finger rests naturally, and the triple camera module sits in the top-left corner. There is no metal frame or glass back here, which is normal for the price, and the plastic shell is less likely to crack than glass if the phone is dropped.

The alcatel 1S 2020 dimensions weight and build quality are easy to summarise: the phone measures 158.7 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm and weighs 165 g. The alcatel 1S dimensions make it tall rather than wide, so it fits a pocket without too much bulk, while the 8.5 mm thickness keeps it slim enough for one-handed use in many situations. A 165 gram body is light for a phone with a 4000 mAh battery, and that balance of size and weight was one of the more practical points of the design. The buttons are on the right edge, the microUSB port is on the bottom, and the 3.5 mm jack is on the top, a layout that was still common in 2020.

Dimensions, Weight and Materials

Plastic keeps the cost down and keeps the weight down, and the finish on the rear panel gives the phone a little more character than a plain matte slab. The frame and back are not water resistant, so the phone needs care around rain and spills, as most budget phones of the time did. The screen is protected by a flat glass panel, and a case is still a good idea because the glossy back can pick up scratches and fingerprints. For a phone that was sold for around 100 EUR, the build is honest: it does not pretend to be a premium device, and it holds together well for everyday carrying, calls, messaging, and media.

Colours and Fingerprint Sensor

The alcatel 1S 2020 colours Agate Green and Power Grey were the two finishes offered at launch. Agate Green has a deep green tone with a subtle gradient, while Power Grey is a darker, more restrained finish that suits buyers who prefer a plain look. The alcatel 1S colours were limited to those two options, and availability varied by market, so a used example in either colour is the same phone inside. The fingerprint reader and face unlock give two ways to open the phone, and both are useful in different situations, for example when hands are wet or when the phone is on a desk.

Agate Green and Power Grey

Colour does not change performance, storage, or camera quality, but it does change how the phone looks after months of use. Darker finishes tend to hide small marks better, while the green finish shows the gradient more clearly in bright light. Either way, the rear panel is smooth and can feel slippery, so a thin case helps grip as well as protection. Buyers choosing a used handset should check the back panel and the camera glass for scratches, since those are the parts most likely to show wear.

Rear Fingerprint and Face Unlock

The alcatel 1S 2020 fingerprint sensor and face unlock work as the main security options, alongside a PIN or pattern. The alcatel 1S fingerprint reader on the back is quick to reach and generally reliable for unlocking the phone, and face unlock offers a hands-free option when the phone is held up in front of you. Neither method is as fast as the sensors on later mid-range phones, and face unlock here is a software-based method rather than a secure 3D system, so a PIN remains the fallback for payments and sensitive apps. In daily use, the fingerprint sensor is the more consistent of the two.

Display and Viewing Experience

The alcatel 1S 2020 display size and screen resolution define much of the experience, because the screen is the part you look at most. The phone has a 6.22-inch display with an IPS LCD panel, a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels, and a 19:9 aspect ratio, which works out to around 270 pixels per inch. The alcatel 1S display is large enough for video, reading, and browsing, and the tall ratio gives extra room for web pages and messages. IPS LCD technology gives steady colours and reasonable viewing angles, without the deep blacks of an OLED panel, which was not expected at this price in 2020.

A 6.22-inch IPS LCD panel is the right way to describe the screen in short, and the waterdrop notch holds the 5 MP front camera without taking up much space. Text is readable at normal viewing distances, and video in 720p looks acceptable on a screen of this size, even though the resolution is not Full HD. Colours are natural rather than vivid, which suits reading and social media, and the panel is bright enough for indoor use and for shaded outdoor use, though direct sunlight can wash it out a little. There is no high refresh rate here, so scrolling is at the standard 60 Hz pace of the time.

Screen Size and Resolution

The alcatel 1S 2020 screen brightness and viewing angles are adequate for a budget phone, with the usual limits of an entry-level LCD. Viewed head-on, the screen looks clear and even, and viewed from an angle the image stays usable, even if contrast drops a little. The 720p resolution means fine text can look slightly softer than on a 1080p screen, but at 6.22 inches the difference is not dramatic for most buyers. The screen is a good size for watching clips, following maps, and reading e-books, and the notch is small enough that it rarely gets in the way. For buyers who compare this phone with its neighbours in the same 2020 range, the guide to alcatel 3X (2020): Is It the Right Phone for You? Review and Specs gives a useful point of reference on screen size and value in the same family.

Performance and Hardware

The alcatel 1S 2020 Helio P22 processor performance test results from the time showed a chip built for light work rather than heavy gaming or fast multitasking. The phone uses the MediaTek MT6762D Helio P22, built on a 12 nm process, with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU running at 1.8 GHz and PowerVR GE8320 graphics. The alcatel 1S performance is best described as steady for basic tasks: calls, messages, email, web browsing, social media, and video playback all run, while demanding games and large apps take longer to load. The alcatel 1S chipset is the D variant of the Helio P22, with a slightly lower clock speed than some other versions of the same chip, which helps keep power use and heat in check.

Memory is 3GB RAM with 32GB of internal storage, and the alcatel 1S RAM and alcatel 1S storage figures set clear limits on how much the phone can hold and how many apps it can keep open at once. The alcatel 1S 2020 RAM and internal storage capacity of 3GB and 32GB is workable if you keep the app count low and use a microSD card for photos and media. The 32GB storage fills up quickly once apps, cached data, and photos build up, so the dedicated microSDXC slot matters a lot here. A microUSB port for charging and data is used instead of USB-C, which was still common on budget phones in 2020, and the phone also keeps a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Helio P22 Chipset and Memory

Does alcatel 1S 2020 support microSD card expansion? Yes, it has a dedicated slot, so you can add a card without giving up a SIM slot. The alcatel 1S 2020 RAM and internal storage capacity is helped by that slot, because photos, videos, and downloaded media can live on the card while the 32GB of internal space is kept for apps and the system. How to insert microSD card in alcatel 1S 2020 is simple in practice: power the phone down, open the tray with the SIM tool, place the card in the dedicated slot, and slide the tray back in, then check in Settings that the card is recognised. The microSD card slot is one of the more practical features of the phone, and it is worth using from the start rather than waiting until the internal storage is full.

For a wider view of the same 2020 alcatel range, the article alcatel 3L (2020) Complete Specifications: Every Detail, From Storage to Value for Money shows how a close relative balanced storage, price, and features. The alcatel 1S 2020 performance for social media apps is generally fine, with feeds, short video, and messaging apps opening without long waits, as long as too many apps are not left running in the background. The alcatel 1S 2020 gaming performance for casual games is also acceptable for light titles, while larger 3D games will run at lower settings and may stutter. Keeping the phone free of unused apps and clearing cached data from time to time helps the 3GB of RAM cope better.

Camera System

The alcatel 1S 2020 triple camera performance and quality are shaped by the 13 MP main camera, a 5 MP second camera, and a 2 MP macro camera, with an LED flash on the rear. The alcatel 1S camera is a budget setup, so expectations should be set around daylight photos, social media sharing, and casual snapshots rather than low-light photography or detailed zoom work. The triple camera label describes the three lenses on the back, and the 13 MP camera is the one you will use most, with the other two lenses supporting depth effects and close-up shots. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30 frames per second.

Rear Triple Camera Setup

The alcatel 1S 2020 camera samples in daylight conditions show the main camera at its best, with decent colour and enough detail for sharing online. In bright light, photos look natural and sharp enough for social media, and the LED flash helps a little indoors, though it cannot replace good light. The alcatel 1S 2020 video recording at 1080p resolution is steady enough for short clips, family video, and messages, and the 1080p video mode is the highest video setting on the phone. A 13 MP main camera with an f/1.8 lens gives the phone a reasonable amount of light for its class, and the wide aperture helps a little in dim rooms, even if noise appears quickly as the light falls.

Close-up shots use the 2 MP macro camera, which needs good light and a steady hand to give a usable result, and the 5 MP second camera supports depth and wide-angle style effects depending on the software mode. The camera app is simple, with photo, video, and a few basic modes, and it does not offer the advanced night modes or stabilisation found on more expensive phones. For buyers comparing the smallest models in the family, Getting to Know the alcatel 1V (2020): Review and Detailed Specs is a helpful companion read, since the 1V (2020) sits close to the 1S (2020) in price and purpose.

Front Camera and Video

The alcatel 1S 2020 front camera selfie quality review in plain terms is that the 5 MP front camera is fine for video calls and casual selfies in good light, and less impressive in dim rooms. Skin tones look acceptable in daylight, and the waterdrop notch keeps the camera out of the way, but detail is limited and noise appears indoors. The front camera also records video at 1080p at 30 frames per second, which is enough for calls and short clips. If selfies are a priority, good lighting matters more than any setting on this phone, and the rear camera will give better results for photos you plan to keep.

Battery Life and Charging

The alcatel 1S 2020 battery life with 4000mAh capacity is one of the strongest points of the phone, because a large battery paired with a power-efficient chip and a 720p screen can last a long time between charges. The alcatel 1S battery is a Li-Po 4000 mAh unit, and the 4000mAh battery gives most users a full day of mixed use, including calls, messaging, browsing, and some video, without needing a top-up. The alcatel 1S 2020 charging time and battery endurance depend on the charger used, and the phone charges over microUSB at a modest rate, so a full charge takes a while compared with phones that support fast charging. There is no fast charging of the modern kind here, and no wireless charging.

4000 mAh Capacity in Daily Use

The alcatel 1S 2020 battery drain during video playback is slower than on many phones with smaller batteries, because the 720p screen and the Helio P22 draw less power than a high-resolution display and a faster chip would. Streaming video, reading, and messaging are all light on the battery, while gaming and long camera sessions use more power, as they do on any phone. With light use, the phone can stretch towards two days, and with heavier use it should still reach the end of a normal day. The battery is not removable, so a used example should be checked for swelling, rapid drain, or a phone that shuts down early, all of which can point to a worn battery after years of use.

Software and Everyday Use

The alcatel 1S 2020 Android 10 software features and updates story is simple: the phone launched with Android 10, with a light interface close to stock Android and a small set of alcatel additions. The alcatel 1S Android experience is clean and easy to learn, with a standard app drawer, Google apps, and the usual settings layout. Android 10 brings gesture navigation, a system-wide dark theme option, and better privacy controls than earlier versions, and those features are present here. There is no promise of long-term major updates on a budget phone of this age, so buyers should expect the software to stay close to its launch version, with security updates depending on the market and the age of the handset.

The alcatel 1S 2020 speaker quality and headphone jack are practical points for daily use. The single speaker is loud enough for calls, alarms, and short video in a quiet room, though it lacks bass and can sound thin at full volume, and the headphone jack lets you use wired headphones without an adapter. The alcatel 1S 2020 connectivity options and microUSB port cover 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio in many markets, with microUSB for charging and data transfer. There is no 5G and no NFC in the usual specification for this model, so payments by phone and 5G data are not part of the package. For audio, the companion piece alcatel 1B (2020) Review: The Good, the Bad and the Audio is worth a look if sound quality matters to you when choosing between the smallest 2020 alcatel phones.

Android 10 Experience

Is alcatel 1S 2020 good for everyday use? For basic use in 2020 terms, yes: calls, texts, WhatsApp, email, maps, and web browsing all work, and the large screen makes reading comfortable. The limits appear when you open many apps at once, install large games, or expect the latest apps to run as smoothly as they do on a newer phone. An alcatel 1S 2020 user review after long term use would most likely praise the battery and the screen size, and note that the phone slows down with heavy multitasking and that the camera struggles in low light. As a spare phone, a first phone for a light user, or a device for calls and messaging, it still has a clear role, as long as the buyer accepts its age and its limits.

Full Specifications

The alcatel 1S 2020 model 5028Y specifications and features are the same as those for model 5028D in the main hardware areas, with the model number varying by market and configuration. The table below brings the verified specifications together in one place, so you can check the chipset, memory, cameras, battery, and dimensions without searching through the rest of the article. Where a detail varied by region, the most widely listed specification is shown here.

Pros and Cons

A short summary helps when the full detail above is a lot to take in. The alcatel 1S 2020 vs alcatel 1V 2020 comparison is useful here, because the two phones share the same budget purpose and the choice between them often comes down to screen size, camera, and price on the day. The alcatel 1S 2020 worth buying as second phone question also comes up often, and the answer depends on whether you need a spare for calls and light apps, in which case the large battery and large screen help, or a main phone for heavy use, in which case a newer handset would serve you better.

What Works Well

• Large 6.22-inch screen for video, reading, and browsing at a low price.
• 4000 mAh battery that can last a full day of mixed use and longer with light use.
• Dedicated microSDXC slot, so storage can grow without losing a SIM slot.
• Rear fingerprint sensor and face unlock for easy everyday unlocking.
• 3.5 mm headphone jack and a simple Android 10 interface.

Where It Falls Short

• Only 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which limits multitasking and app space.
• 720p display rather than Full HD, with modest brightness in strong sunlight.
• Triple camera is best in daylight and struggles in low light.
• MicroUSB charging at a modest speed, with no fast charging and no 5G.
• Discontinued since 2020, so software support and new stock are limited.

For a final point of comparison in the same family, the review The alcatel 3T10 2020, Reviewed in Detail: Specs, Performance and More shows a different kind of 2020 alcatel device, and it underlines how the 1S (2020) was aimed at phone buyers who wanted the basics done well rather than extra features. That focus on the basics is the fairest way to judge the 1S (2020) now: it was never meant to lead its class on speed or cameras, and it still works best when it is used for the simple tasks it was built for.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the alcatel 1S (2020) released?

It was announced in January 2020 and released in May 2020, at a launch price of around 100 EUR in Europe. The phone is now discontinued, so most examples available today are used handsets rather than new stock.

How good is the battery life on the alcatel 1S (2020)?

Battery life is one of its best features. The 4000 mAh battery, the power-efficient Helio P22 chip, and the 720p screen work together to give a full day of mixed use for most people, and longer with light use. Charging is over microUSB at a modest rate, so allow extra time for a full charge.

Does the alcatel 1S (2020) have a fingerprint sensor?

Yes. It has a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone, plus face unlock as a second option. A PIN or pattern can also be set as a fallback, which is useful for payments and for times when the sensor or face unlock is not convenient.

Can I expand the storage on the alcatel 1S (2020)?

Yes. The phone has 32GB of internal storage and a dedicated microSDXC slot, so you can add a memory card without removing a SIM card. Moving photos and videos to the card is the easiest way to keep the internal storage free for apps and the system.

Is the alcatel 1S (2020) still worth buying in 2026?

It can be worth buying as a cheap second phone or a spare for calls, messaging, and light apps, if the price is low and the battery is still healthy. It is not a good choice as a main phone for heavy apps or gaming, because it has only 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, Android 10, and no 5G, and it is no longer in production.