TCL ONO reinvents cheap with 64bit CPU, 2GB RAM and 13MP camera all for just $95

TCL, the owners of Alcatel, have just reinvented what is to be an affordable Android phone with the new TCL ONO for just $95.

Low-cost phones are everywhere and they are no longer terrible looking and poorly spec devices, and this TCL ONO is proof of the pudding. Launched in China at only 599 Yuan ($95), the ONO really is a remarkable phone that we want to see launched internationally.

The design is nothing really to write home about, coming in your usual range of bright colours, but the hardware is phenomenal!

Up front TCL have built the ONO with a 5-inch 720p display, with a 5 mega-pixel camera on selfie duty. The rear camera is a 13 mega-pixel and this being a big brand phone we expect the sensor to actually match the claimed specs. In addition the marketing text says the main camera is a PDAF (phase detection auto focus) unit similar to the one found in the iPhone 6!

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A quad-core 64bit MT6735 chipset runs Android (although we are not sure of the version) with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. If you need more room there is space for an SD card, plus there is dual SIM 4G LTE and a large 2650mAh battery.

Another nice feature is the inclusion of MaxxAudio audio on the phone. This is the same audio enhancement features the OnePlus One and and Oppo phones boast.

As far as we can see the only issues with the phone are the name (Oh No!) and the fact it has only been released in China, but resellers should pick it up soon.

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About the author
Robin Maxwell
Hi, Robin Maxwell here! Mobile technology is my passions, and while I've been known to dabble with iOS devices I'm a firm Android convert, currently waiting for the Oppo Find 5 to launch!!

- csak1user
  May 8, 2015
  I think the same, except non of these colors is acceptable for me.
  That is my problem with the Meizu m1 Note too.
  - realjjj
    May 8, 2015
    There is a black version for this one ,you can see here the 4 available colors http://product.suning.com/0000000000/127701726.html
    - mafioso
      May 8, 2015
      As per the link to the webpage provided by you, the available colors are white, blue, yellow and gray.
      So unfortunately there is no black color available at moment.
      - balcobomber25
        May 8, 2015
        Judging by the pictures that is a black phone regardless of what color they call it.
      - Muhammad Yasir
        May 9, 2015
        balcobomber25
        May 9, 2015
- iKosh
  May 8, 2015
  I hope there’s no catch, although it sound too good to be true. Reseller price might be the killer for this phone.
  - balcobomber25
    May 8, 2015
    Luckily I live in a country where Alcatel has an official presence. I hate dealing with resellers. And here Alcatel isn’t that popular so they always have freebies thrown in like premium speakers or headphones, cases, extra batteries etc etc.
  - Martin Sosa
    May 8, 2015
- Zay
  May 8, 2015
  - balcobomber25
    May 8, 2015
    This is obviously the Chinese version. TCL almost always releases two versions one for only China and one for the rest of the world, usually sold under the Alcatel brand.
God damn, what a price for the specs.

balcobomber25
May 8, 2015
I have used a few TCL/Alcatel phones in the past and all of them were solid, well built devices that I never had any problems with. In fact I would say its the second most reliable brand I have ever used, THL is first for me.
This sounds like a great deal on paper, can’t wait to read some reviews of it. I have always bought phones near the flagship range because I need a really good camera. I am not a power user and can live with budget specs as long as the camera and RAM are acceptable. Hopefully they carry through with all this promise.
- Mujahid Abbas
  May 9, 2015
  @balcobomber25:disqus can u suggest me any smartphone with great camera and nice specs..in 200$ range… cell gud enough for heavy gaming too 🙂
  - balcobomber25
    May 9, 2015
    I can’t recommend it enough (like others) but check out the Jiayu S3. Right now it is one of the best overall phones you can buy in the $200 range.
    - Mujahid Abbas
      May 10, 2015
      - balcobomber25
        May 10, 2015
        Mujahid Abbas
        May 10, 2015
    - - balcobomber25
        May 10, 2015
        I’m not sure what you mean by video quality. There were some people who had some issues with the camera, which was apparently solved by using different software (such as Open Camera or FV-5). I don’t personally own the phone so this is all hearsay. I do know a lot of people that do own it (both actual friends and people from forums I belong to) and they all say how it is one of the best phones they have ever used.
        
        Mujahid Abbas
        May 11, 2015
        @balcobomber25:disqus i have a choice b/w LG G2 and Jiayu S3…which one shud i buy??
        balcobomber25
        May 12, 2015
        The G2 was a great phone for it’s time but personally I would buy the S3. From the few websites I have seen it is selling cheaper than the G2, but more importantly it has a 64 bit SoC. 64 bit is still in it’s infancy and right now is mostly marketing. But once it is fully realized it will offer clear advantages that older 32 bit SoC’s won’t be able to take advantage of.
        
        Mujahid Abbas
        May 12, 2015
        Jiayu S3 and LG G2 has the same camera???
        balcobomber25
        May 12, 2015
        The G2 has the Sony IMX 135, the S3 has the Sony IMX 214. The 214 is an upgrade version of the 135. They have the same sensor size and the same architecture. The 214 is marginally better but the 135 is still a great sensor.
  - Albert
    May 11, 2015
    You should look at Gionee Elife E7 for only 158$ at Gearbest.com (with coupon GEE7). It has best camera from all phones under 400$.
    - Mujahid Abbas
      May 11, 2015
      - Albert
        May 12, 2015
        Stock Jelly Bean is very stable. You can install update to KitKat by OTA now or wait to june (as me) for official Lollipop update.
        
        Albert
        May 12, 2015
        I have Jelly Bean on my E7 now and I’m very happy (I didn’t notice any bugs in 2 months of usage) and pictures are outstanding quality.
realjjj
May 8, 2015
Found some more complete specs here (second tab) http://product.suning.com/0000000000/127701726.html
The OS is listed as Android 5.0 , the bands are all TD , for this version at least.
141x71x8.8 mm , 130g.
- balcobomber25
  May 8, 2015
  8.8mm for a $95 phone is pretty good. That’s one thing that always drives me away from budget phones, they are usually thicker than a phonebook.
- Angry Mobile Nerd
  May 9, 2015
  Yes this phone only supports China Mobile 4G and 3G bands (TD-LTE and TD-SCDMA).
  Wouldn’t doubt it if China Mobile is partially subsidizing this phone considering it only works on their network and the price is so slow otherwise it would have been in TCL’s best interests to at least put 3G WCDMA bands into the mix to attract more consumers on other networks.

happy buyer
May 8, 2015
this is a win, nice the specs, known brand, price and android 5 , we are waiting for the international release under the name Alcatel, final a worth it low cost phone.
- Sirrr
  May 8, 2015
  4.7” could have been spot on for me, but nice specs indeed for a low cost phone
  - balcobomber25
    May 8, 2015
    - willysson
      May 9, 2015
      Balcobomber, hope you can help me. You’ve mentioned you live in Thailand, as do I. I am getting ready to buy my first ever smartphone. I’d like to buy one of the many great phones coming out of China. When I go to DTAC and ask what LTE bands (are there 2G and 3G bands also?) are used, they have no idea what I’m talking about. Would you happen to know? Thanks.
      - Calcifer
        May 9, 2015
        I live in Thailand. Hope this answer your question.
        AIS
        2G : 1800MHz/900MHz
        3G : 900MHz/2100MHz
        4G : None at the moment
        DTAC
        2G : 1800MHz
        3G : 850MHz/2100MHz
      - balcobomber25
        May 9, 2015
        Currently DTAC and True both operate on 2100(1). AIS and DTAC are launching 1800(3) and 2300(40) service sometime this year. For 3G it’s the following:
        AIS – 900/2100
        DTAC – 850/2100
        True – 2100
        For LTE if you have the 2100 band you will get service in pretty much all of Bangkok and all the major metropolitan areas (Chang Mai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Pattaya).
        willysson
        May 10, 2015
        balcobomber25
        May 10, 2015
        No problem. Thailand has a very good network compared to most countries I have been to. There is reliable service everywhere, I even get good 3G+ on most of the islands. And it is relatively cheap, I pay about 800 baht for unlimited everything on True.
- werewolfc
  May 9, 2015
  Guess that for international version they’ll go with different hs specs and unfortunatly higher price 🙁 120$+ imo
  - Tizz
    May 10, 2015

Richard, Chinatech25
May 8, 2015
You can’t get a screen replaced in the uk for that price , i hope they become available worldwide soon, for that money they would be a great reseller .
fido futte
May 8, 2015
If you are in EU you can get the almost the same model here : http://unicomputer.dk/da/329-5-myphone-f9-4g-lte.html however this model is thinner -only 7,8mm thin but only 1Gb +8Gb and 2200mAh Battery, but has latest Android 5.1 with EU language support
- balcobomber25
  May 8, 2015
  It’s not the same model just similar specs. That phone is made by the OEM Tinno mobile which produces a wide range of budget phones from Wiko, Intex and even some Micromax models. I have limited experience with phones produced by Tinno, and none of it was good.
  - fido futte
    May 8, 2015
    - balcobomber25
      May 8, 2015
      If it is a real MyPhone it is. Myphone is a brand from the Phillipines which uses Tinno as their OEM.
      That is the only brand I know of called Myphone, if it’s not from them I would be very wary of it and it’s claimed specs.
      - Albert
        May 11, 2015
        This is not Myphone from Philippines. This is myPhone from Poland. They produce good quality phones (I know because I live in Poland and I had many of their phones before).
        balcobomber25
        May 11, 2015
        Interesting learn something new everyday. Given the similar name I wonder if they are connected in any way.
- niggerspickikechinkcoon
  May 8, 2015
appplePIE
May 8, 2015
Those round corners are kinda an eye sore, would rather pickup the Jiayu F2 at the same price, if it ever becomes available
- balcobomber25
  May 8, 2015

May 8, 2015
This phone would be very interesting if it is called TCL P620U
It might apperar after a while (like it was with TCL 3N M2M China Mobile and then M2U variant, slightly different, for China Unicom network (WCDMA/FDD-LTE))
Othervise it’s not interesting for anyone in EU.
Another thing, TCL presented a low-end GPU here. MTK6735 has Mali-T720 MP4.
This phone has MP2 variant 🙁
http://shop.tcl.com/mall/goods/detail/goods_id/912.html
- balcobomber25
  May 8, 2015
  That phone has a different chip all together, its the 6732 in that one which has a T760 GPU.
  - Davor
    May 8, 2015
    You are wrong. Check it again. It says MT6735 and Mali-T720 MP2 – check the second tab for specifications or here:
    - - Muhammad Yasir
        May 8, 2015
        balcobomber25
        May 8, 2015
        I can admit when I am wrong! I am a big enough man for that.
        Muhammad Yasir
        May 9, 2015
        hence the “Hail Enhusiast” 😀

Riccardo Benzoni
May 8, 2015
strong candidate for the best sub-100$ product, very very promising… let’s see if a WCDMA version pops out and if resellers don’t have too much fun with it!
Muhammad Yasir
May 8, 2015
PLEASE COME TO PAKISTAN !
I’LL SNAP YOU UP IN A JIFFY !
sad
May 9, 2015
- Muhammad Yasir
  May 9, 2015
Now that’s a bargain, can’t wait or a full review of this baby.
Sere83
May 10, 2015

TCL ONO reinvents cheap with 64bit CPU, 2GB RAM and PDAF 13MP camera all for just $95

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