T-Mobile U.S. may have been brushed off for the latest Lumias, but they are not finished with Windows 10 Mobile. Windows Central has verified that the carrier is expected to announce support for the upcoming Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL.
News of the Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL was first revealed by @evleaks back in September with an unofficial render (see above) of the phone posted by him in October. (Note: despite the Windows Hello screen in the render the Fierce XL does not have bio-authentication). The Fierce XL is by all means an entry-level device and fits in with T-Mobile's previous efforts with Windows Phone.
Interestingly, the T-Mobile variant will ship in cyan and is a nice nod to old-school Lumia fans who preferred a more colorful phone. Marketing also appears to have dropped 'Mobile' from Windows 10 Mobile to keep sloganeering for the phone direct.
T-Mobile U.S. Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL
- Windows 10 Mobile OS
- Black bezel but cyan back
- 5.5-inch 720p display
- Capacitive buttons
- Snapdragon 210
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB internal memory with micro SD slot
- 8MP rear and 2MP front camera
- WiFi Calling 2.0
- VoLTE
- Non-removable 2500mah battery
Alcatel OneTouch has an extensive history making Android smartphones e.g. the recent Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3. They have also boldly claimed that the future of Windows Phone is in the entry-level and that does look to be holding true.
As to when the T-Mobile version will launch in the U.S. it is expected in the coming weeks, and it should be less than $100 off contract. Alcatel OneTouch is likely to feature the phone at CES in Las Vegas next week and Windows Central will be on hand to cover it and any other launches.
On a final note, T-Mobile has also set up an extensive training guide for employees on Windows 10 Mobile suggesting the Fierce XL may be part of a larger portfolio. Although the Fierce XL does not support Continuum the Windows 10 Mobile training guides do hinting a higher-end phone that supports the 'phone as a PC' experience may be coming to T-Mobile.
Follow Windows Central all next week in Las Vegas for CES 2016!
