Simple Mobile - TCL A1
- Key Specs
- Screen Size: 5 inches (Size of the screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner.)
- Rear-Facing Camera: 5 megapixels
- Built-in Storage: 16 gigabytes
- Processor Model: Quad core (Your computer's processor is like its brain. Working in combination with system memory, the power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run, how many programs you can have open at the same time, and how fast those programs will run. Most computers feature an AMD, Intel or Snapdragon processor.)
- Phone Memory (RAM): 2 gigabytes (Random-access memory (RAM) temporarily stores data so that it can be accessed quickly. The size of the RAM determines how efficiently the phone can handle large amounts of information at once, such as switching between several open apps.)
- General
- Product Name: TCL A1
- Brand: TCL
- Model Number: SMALA501DG3P5P
- Display
- Screen Size: 5 inches (Size of the screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner.)
- Screen Resolution: 1280 x 720 (Screens come in a range of resolutions (measured in pixels, horizontal x vertical). The higher the resolution, the greater the picture quality.)
- Screen Type: LCD
- Camera
- Integrated Camera: Yes - Front and Back
- Front-Facing Camera: 2 megapixels
- Rear-Facing Camera: 5 megapixels
- Network
- Carrier: Simple Mobile
- Unlocked: false (Can be used with any carrier, typically by exchanging the phone's SIM card with another one compatible for the intended area of service. Can be used with a new or existing cellular service plan.)
- No-Contract: true (Can be purchased without committing to a contract with a cellular service provider. No-contract phones are only compatible with a specific carrier.)
- Mobile Hotspot Capability: true (A hotspot-enabled device is able to connect wirelessly to a cellular network and share the connection via Wi-Fi with nearby compatible devices.)
- 4G LTE Band: 12, 2, 4, 5, 66
- Connectivity
- Headphone Jack: true (The device features an interface that allows for the connection of headphones.)
- Power
- Battery Capacity: 2200 milliampere hours (The amount of energy stored in the battery.)
- Wireless Charging: false
- Compatibility
- Charging Interface(s): Micro-USB (The connection for transmitting power to charge the device.)
- Voice Assistant Built-in: Google Assistant (A digital assistant built into the device that uses voice commands to answer questions and control smart devices.)
- Works With: Google Assistant (Compatible with or able to be connected to other smart devices or applications.)
- SIM Card Size: Nano SIM
- SIM Card Slots: Single SIM
- Stylus Dock: None
- Stylus Included: false
- Features
- Usage Time(s): Talk (2G): up to 960 min; Talk (3G): up to 660 min; Talk (VoLTE): up to 540 min; Standby (2G): up to 290 hrs; Standby (3G): up to 480 hrs; Standby (4G): up to 400 hrs; Standby: up to 300 hrs (All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings.)
- Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor (Detects stimuli such as heat, light, sound, motion, or pressure and responds accordingly by operating a control or initiating a function of the device.)
- Built-in Storage: 16 gigabytes
- Performance
- Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (The operating system manages all software and hardware, including files, memory and connected devices. Most importantly, it lets you interact with your device and your programs in a visual way; otherwise, you'd be typing computer code to get anything done.)
- Processor Brand: MediaTek
- Processor Model: Quad core (Your computer's processor is like its brain. Working in combination with system memory, the power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run, how many programs you can have open at the same time, and how fast those programs will run. Most computers feature an AMD, Intel or Snapdragon processor.)
- Processor Speed: 1.1 gigahertz (Actual central processing unit (CPU) speed may vary by device configuration and design. Also referred to as clock speed, this is how quickly the central processing unit (CPU) can receive and interpret instructions. The higher the number, the more operations per second that can be completed. Working in combination with system memory, the power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run.)
- Phone Memory (RAM): 2 gigabytes (Random-access memory (RAM) temporarily stores data so that it can be accessed quickly. The size of the RAM determines how efficiently the phone can handle large amounts of information at once, such as switching between several open apps.)
- Dimensions
- Product Width: 2.6 inches (The out of box width of the item. Width is measured as the horizontal distance from one side of the item to the other as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Storage
- Media Card Slot: microSDHC
- Certifications Listings & Approvals
- EPEAT Qualified: false (The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) was designed to provide an environmental assessment tool for purchasers. In order to qualify for EPEAT, a product must meet all 23 required criteria.)
- Other
- UPC: 616960301561
Make clear voice calls with this TCL A1 smartphone. A quad-core processor ensures the smooth running of programs, while the 5-inch touchscreen simplifies operation and delivers an immersive video watching experience. This TCL A1 smartphone features 16GB of internal memory for data storage and two cameras for taking quality videos and photos.
- Quad-core 1.1GHz processor with 2GB of RAM: Delivers outstanding overall performance for opening and running applications, flipping through menus, running home screens and more.
- Android 8.0 Oreo OS: Rapid operating system keeps you safe and secure on your mobile device.
- 4G LTE speed: Provides fast Web connection for downloading apps, streaming content and staying connected with social media.
- 5" touch screen: Large, clear screen lets you browse apps, view photos and watch videos in crisp detail.
- Dual 5.0MP rear-facing camera: Easily record a wide variety of memories and then share them via social media, or even print them off. Also includes a front-facing 2.0MP camera for self-portraits and video.
- 16GB internal memory plus microSD slot: Provides plenty of storage space for your contacts, music, photos, apps and more. Expand storage up to 32GB by adding a microSD card (sold separately).
- Use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot: Share your 4G data connection with other compatible wireless devices.*
Whats Included
- TCL A1
- 2200 mAh Battery
- USB cable, power adapter
Product Manuals
A: Yes! The phone can be used with WiFi only, and DOES NOT REQUIRE THE PURCHASE OF PREPAID PHONE CARDS! I own the TCL A1, and I am using it as a Bluetooth music player. I have also installed some apps, and am only using WiFi. A few things you should know are that the TCL A1 does not have the fastest GPU or CPU, so it might not run all games smoothly. It has 16 GB of internal storage, but over half of that is used by Android, pre-installed apps you cannot remove, and a backup image in case you ever need to perform a factory reset of the phone and Android. The TCL A1 has the voicemail phone number for setting up your voicemail acciunt ztored in the bootloader, so you will receive a notification to set up your voicemail whenever you turn on or restart your phone. Just learn to ignore it because you can only put it to sleep for 2 hours, and it stays out of sight. The phone does not seem to have the software to support running apps from an SD Card, and that feature seems to only be available in phones that cost around $50 or more. The only other major drawback for gaming, aside from a 480x960 true screen resolution, is that the protective glass over the screen is truly flat. In other words, if you tilt the screen a little too far in any direction away from your eyes, everything displayed on the screen becomes grayed out and a bit hazy. The best thing to do is compare the game requirements against the phone's specifications to know what games you can play with this phone.
Q: Can I choose a phone number or has one already been assigned to this phone?
A: Bought this for my dad and when setting up the phone card minutes you have the option of a new number or keeping the same
Q: Does this phone come with minutes on it?
A: No you have to buy phone card
A: What I recommend in your situation is that you visit SafeLink's web site, and using the Support link, entering your zip code, you should see a list of devices available through SafeLink. If you choose Android as your operating system, and then scroll down, you should see the TCL A1 provided in the list. This means that the TCL A1 is a GSM compatible phone that can be used with SafeLink. Now SafeLink is either associated with, or a subsidiary of TracFone, so any GSM compatible phone offered by any of TracFone's many different brands, like StraightTalk, TracFone, TotalWireless, and SimpleMobile, should work with SafeLink. Unfortunately there is a catch. The catch is that while you can "bring your own phone" to SafeLink, you need to get a new SIM card from SafeLink for your phone, and install it, before you can use it as a SafeLink device, which according to SafeLink means that the phone must be unlocked. A locked phone can only be used with a specific carrier, like Verizon, and an unlocked phone can be used on Verizon or AT&T, as an example. The first thing you should do is contact SafeLink to ask if a SimpleMobile phone can be unlocked to be used with SafeLink? Since TracFone is involved with both services, it may be possible to unlock the phone, or at least learn if the SimpleMobile TCL A! is locked or not before buying it. It all comes down to whether the phone is locked before buying it, and how hard it will be to unlock it if it is locked. If you want to avoid any headaches, contact SafeLink first, or consider buying the same phone pre-configured to use their network.
A: Yes, I use for web & app access as well as occasional WiFi calling.
Q: want to use for foreign travel. is this phone unlocked?
A: No, phone is locked.
Q: Can I use it with my 5g wifi drone? 802.11
A: No. The TCL A1's WiFi has been preset, and apparently locked in the firmware or through the bootloader to strict limitations. The A1 has a built-in WiFi N adapter, but the phone can only use the 2.4 GHz band. There's nothing in the phone's settings that I have found yet to enable 5GHz WiFi. Also, the WiFi has been capped to 72 Mbps for both transmit and receive using single channel radio. Basically the TCL A1 uses a pseudo-G mode, where you should get 54 Mbps of useable throughput with 72 Mbps bandwidth to compensate for transmit and receive overhead. So, unless your drone can be configured through an app to accept dual band, or can change its carrier frequency, this would not be the phone to operate your drone.
A: No, this phone is not unlocked.
