Phone + Watch Review & Giveaway: #LiveUnlocked

Giveaway now closed, see THE WINNER below...


I was one of the CRAZY people who stood in line for hours when the iPhone first came out. Remember that? Well, these days smart phones are everywhere, but not all of them are worth the investment.

To be honest, I usually don't write about technology but when Alcatel asked me to try out their new Idol 3 phone + wrist watch combo.... I was curious how it would compare to my iPhone.  On that note,  one LUCKY reader will also get to try & KEEP this phone + watch combo. - Cool right?? 
Details at the bottom.


I've had an iPhone since they first came out and yes, I love them.  The Idol 3 by Alcatel is fairly new and it has lots of features. The phone comes unlocked for just $249 so it's much cheaper than an iPhone and can run on a lot of carriers.

The Alcatel phone is BIG compared to my iPhone 5c, which is the right size for my hands (it's why I never upgraded).  The power and volume buttons are in bad positions but the phone feels nice in your hand. It's thin and doesn't weigh too much either.

BEST feature - the phone can be used in either direction. There's a mic & speaker on both ends and the screen flips over correctly no matter how you hold it.  The screen is amazingly bright & CRISP and you can still see it in bright daylight!

photo taken with Idol 3

For me, the camera on phones is super important & the Idol has a really good one!  There's a 13MP on the back and an 8MP on the front (iPhone 5 has 8MP back & 1.2MP front).  The resolution is great!  The color is a little bluish (nothing a good Instagram filter wouldn’t fix).  The only real complaint about the camera is that it doesn’t shoot very well when it starts to get dark.

The watch is nice - simple & easy to control. There's only 16 basic functions so it's not like the Apple Watch. My husband tried it out for a few days and said it's really convenient for controlling music and getting notifications when he's on the subway or in meetings. The watch works with any Android or iPhone & is also super crisp.


So if you’re looking for a solid Android phone that doesn't cost a ton $$$$ , this is the one.  It’s not an iPhone but the Idol 3 definitely has features I wish were on mine.  Mat says it performs way better than the ZTE Overture 2 he uses – faster, better resolution, more memory.

Now, the GIVEAWAY:

THE PRIZE: 
One (unlocked) Alcatel Idol 3 high resolution + 1 Alcatel One Touch watch combo - total worth $400.

WHY UNLOCKED: 
That means you can use the phone with MOST major phone carriers.  

HOW TO ENTER:
It's EASY.  Leave a comment here with your email & a brief comment telling me why an unlocked phone wold be ideal for you!! #LiveUnlocked

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON:
Monday, July 13 at 1pm EST so be sure to leave your comment before then. Winner will be drawn at random & posted here at the bottom of this post.




-post by jen ramos


-post Sponsored by Alcatel


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42 comments

  1. YouJustGotMACked@gmail.com

    An unlocked phone would be perfect for my nephew because he is about to turn 16 and plans on getting his first summer job in order to finally get a cell phone. #LiveUnlocked

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  2. Charlesamandy@gmail.com

    I'm not really into Apple products so this looks like a really good find! The watch is cute and along with phone I know I'll just fall in love with it. #LiveUnlocked

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  3. Charlesamandy@gmail.com

    I've never really been a big fan of Apple products so this is a really great find! I've been searching for a new phone for a while now plus the watch is cute and along with the phone I know I'll fall in love with it! #LiveUnlocked

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  4. An unlocked phone would be perfect for when I travel to other countries. I would only need to purchase a sim card for each country and activate their data plan, would be great for staying in touch with my son back home! jheminie@gmail.com

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  5. Wow this is such a cool prize! Unlocked would be great so that I can use it with any carrier and not have to pay an arm and a leg

    Stylista Fitness

    Melissa@stylistafitness.com

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  6. I love technology and would love to try out the phone/watch combo! I have 2 little ones and a big furbaby that I chase around taking photos of, so an unlocked phone with a great camera would be awesome =)

    Jennmauro@live.com

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  7. Am unlocked phone would be great for my daughter who needs a phone this Fall to begin middle school. s_malinow@yahoo.com

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  8. I think the unlocked phone would be great for me because i currently have a broken iphone! i accidentally dropped it in the sink and need a phone!

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  9. I think the unlocked phone would be great for me because i currently have a broken iphone! i accidentally dropped it in the sink and need a phone! #LiveUnlocked stacymadrox@yahoo.com

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  10. An unlocked phone would be great for me b/c I've been with a phone for over a year now! Time to reconnect! #LiveUnlocked

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  11. An unlocked phone would be wonderful for when I travel out of the country. This such a fabulous watch, and I love all the features. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin
    ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com

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  12. I'd love an unlocked phone so I have a greater choice in finding a company to provide phone service.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  13. An unlocked phone would be amazing for my Mom who is about to retire and currently has a company phone. It would be amazing to give her a phone as a retirement present!

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  14. An unlocked phone would be perfect for my husband because if you can believe it, he still has an older flip phone and has been talking about switching to a newer smartphone for a while and this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. It would be so grateful for this.. thanks for the chance!

    cbythesea5@gmail dot com

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  15. An unlocked phone would be perfect for my elderly mother. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

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  16. An unlocked phone will be perfect for traveling.

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  17. AnonymousJuly 10, 2015

    #Liveunlocked I would love to try out this watch/phone combo. Normally, I'm not great with technology, but I have a 20 month old baby, a full time job, and I'm a full time student. So, anything that might make me more efficient would be priceless right now.

    P.S. Love your blog and your pictures!

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  18. As a busy designer on-the-go, this beautiful phone and watch combo would perfectly integrate into my life to #LiveUnlocked. I love the features you described and would love to try it out! Nice giveaway! Thanks! Claire

    thedollhousebunny@gmail.com

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  19. We recently moved to the country and a lot of the traditional cell providers aren't very good around here. I need to live unlocked so that I can find the services, companies, and products that are right for me-- not just what's right for most people.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Jen,
    An unlocked phone is perfect because every carrier promotes these low cost specials from time to time. I think it's every 13 hours and 47 seconds. Maybe 43 seconds. I have to redo my math. None-the-less, it defeats the purpose if the phone is locked. Last time I changed carriers it was a great deal! I was happy and ready to get out of my current contract, I had a brand new Windows 8 phone that I loved SCHREEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!! .....NOT SO FAST "big talker" they told me. This phone only works with "abc" carrier and maybe we can unlock it but why don't you just sign up with us and pay $$$ for this new phone...blah blah blah blah blah. Yes, he said "blah" 5 times. Weird guy.
    Anyway, I had a "hack' unlock it and it never really worked the same. No picture texts or data would show up in messages. (ie, if someone sent a map, invite, or something from an app I guess) Actually, I'm not sure because I never received the frickin' texts! Sorry, I had to vent. Also, I could use a cool watch like that.
    Thanks for letting rant a little, hope you laughed a little too. I try. ;)
    Conrad
    conBad@conBadsart.com
    Keep up the good work Jen!

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  21. I would LOVE to try the Alcatel combo! I know that I will use them a lot, especially when I'm travelling as my Iphone is locked and it drives me crazy so #LiveUnlocked!

    bgalbis@hotmail.com

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  22. I would LOVE to try the Alcatel combo! I know I will use them a lot, especially when I'm travelling as my Iphone is locked and it drives me crazy so #LiveUnlocked!

    bgalbis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have been looking for a new phone that works overseas. My Verizon iPhone doesn't work on European GSM networks. Boooooo. I really don't want to have to buy a new one outright. This would be a great opportunity to save a few euros on my upcoming move to Paris!

    iamsasharenee@gmail.com

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  24. To #LiveUnlocked means having freedom with communication and life in general. Having the ability to communicate easily with distant family, is a lot these days. To #LiveUnlocked is having choice as well. :)
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

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  25. I am such an Apple fan I haven't explored other brands but this phone/watch combo sounds amazing! I love the sleek look of the watch too. niki@singlebubblepop.com

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  26. I would love to win this because I have a super cheap phone....and it's old,boring and plain. I want this phone so I could be unique and have better options.

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  27. and I forgot the whole....email address thing so let me just add that in this comment. SOrry. rachelcartucci(at)gmail(dot)com

    THANK YOU!

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  28. #LiveUnlocked means having a phone with no contracts. My phone is broken and old. All the newer style phones are too expensive unless you sign up with a contract and I so dont want to do that. It is so amazing that you are giving such a beautiful phone away. I love it!!!! I would flip out if I won this. Thank you so much for the chance KMillheim609@aol.com

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  29. I would so love to have this for my husband. He's constantly looking at his phone. To be able to pair it with a watch would be awesome!

    ahanddancer@yahoo.com

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  30. Hi Jen! An unlocked phone would be so helpful! I'm a medical student and will be moving to Botswana for a year to help run a dermatology clinic. Many of the patients have devastating skin disease and come from many miles away to visit the clinic. We use cell phone technology to transmit pictures of skin lesions to doctors in the states for diagnosis and also use these pictures to teach students and residents. The phone would also help me easily communicate with friends and family! Thank you! pamela.madu@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd love to get this phone I really need a new one because I gave my old phone to my dad and now I need one asap. I really like androids and I love the idea of smartwatches, I've never had one! nickdelko@gmail.com

    xx

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  32. I need a new phone because I gave mine to my dad, now I'm phoneless. I love android phones, they're super practical. I've never had an smartwatch but I'd love to have one :)
    THANKS!!!

    xx
    nickdelko@gmail.com

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  33. I would Love to get the new phone. It's time to replace my 4 year old one.

    ReplyDelete
  34. This phone would be ideal for me so I can give it to my mother who is in dire need of an upgrade from her old flip phone ( She has to have it on speaker phone, for her to hear her callers). The fact that its unlocked is amazing because she can use it when she travels back home to the Caribbean and another plus is the phone is big which means she'll be able to see what's on the screen. She would love to #LiveUnlocked

    Tashieka@chillinwithtash.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Unlocked phone will be perfect for me , because my phone Alcatel C9 ceased to show signs of life. Communicate with parents who live in another city needed.#LiveUnlocked
    annmalahova2009@rambler.ru

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  36. Unlocked phone will be perfect for me , because my phone Alcatel C9 ceased to show signs of life. Communicate with parents who live in another city needed.#LiveUnlocked

    annmalahova2009@rambler.ru

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Jen 😃
    My name is Bibi and an unlocked phone would give me the freedom to leave my contracted provider. I could choose who I wAnt without the extra fees. God bless u and your family . 😊

    ReplyDelete
  38. It's Bibi again my email is Ivy06061976@hotmail.com
    Multitasking 😇

    ReplyDelete
  39. The phone would be great but I'm very interested in the watch to see if this would make a difference in my work life.
    Nanette

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh my goodness! I would love it because I could be so active with it and it would work with my current plan. Yes please!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousJuly 14, 2015

    Hey Jen!
    I'm a aspiring blogger who just graduated college. These gadgets would be great for me to organize my thoughts and most importantly busy schedule. I am an intern a long with a nanny so my life is busy and the key to any hectic life is organization. Plus, I can not afford any new items since I have to pay my college debt along with life to life bills. It its situations like these that a simple win can really give you that extra boost to excel and gives you some motivation in life like you ARE a winner no matter what the prize is. Granted, it is a perk that these items are awesome!
    -Brogan

    ReplyDelete
  42. WOW these are soooooo cool looking. And they sound amazing.

    Allie of ALLIENYC
    allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete

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