When I was a youngster, the closest I ever came to having a phone of my very own was when I turned 16 and my dad installed a jack in my room. Yes, a land line of all things. Nowadays it seems like every child under ten has their own smartphone and barely even knows what a land line is. Even in my home now we only have one phone that actually has a cord attached to it. The rest are all portable, cordless phones. I had to laugh the first time one of my kiddos laid eyes on an old phone in their great grandma’s house. I have to admit it was kind of fun showing them how the dial thingy worked. Ahh, the good ole days.
But, I digress. As great as it was to be raised in the good ole days, smartphones are an invention that I don’t think I could live without now. I have had the opportunity to try out a few different ones in the past several years and I sure have come to love certain ones. Think narrow, smooth cases that fit comfortably in your hand, yet are fully surrounded by a metal frame that is as elegant as it is secure. Imagine a touchscreen that is as cool as ice and has that perfect feeling of gliding across it down pat. Dream about a huge 5.2 inch Full HD display that provides the most powerful viewing experience possible, even under the fierce eye of direct sunlight.
Have I caught your attention yet? 
The Alcatel IDOL 4 is the smartphone that will entice you to try something new. With all of the tech we are bombarded with on the market, it is sometimes hard to know which phone is the right choice for you and your family. Alcatel has kept you in mind and me and everyone else out there who wants an affordable smartphone that can do everything the other guys can. Take for instance the camera. I am sure you are like me and want to have a phone that can take great photos while sending a text to your teen without losing it and keep your calendar in shape, right? The IDOL 4 features a sharp 13 MP main camera that includes manual settings, Panorama mode and HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the perfect photo, even in low light. The 8 MP, wide-angle front camera with flash makes taking those must have group selfies as easy as pie – with no need to lug a selfie stick around. Win-win.
The camera also features fast face focus so you are always on top of your game when the perfect moment strikes. No need to get your kiddos to take do-overs either. The IDOL 4’s MICRO-VIDEO is a sweet one-click video editor that lets you record a variety of shots and scenes and add in fun effects without any other software needed! LOVE!
Then there is the Boom Key, something I wasn’t too sure I would care about, until I did! Found exclusively on the IDOL 4, the Boom Key provides a whole new level of entertainment for music playback, camera functions and so much more. Imagine being able to launch a new app in under a second with one quick touch? How about using the Boom Key to create a crazy gallery collage or add in effects during your video playback? The possibilities are endless! And with the multi-directional speakers, the sound you receive is insane! The Onetouch Music app lets you interact with your fave tunes and it will feel like you are at a concert when you do. ♥
The Alcatel IDOL 4 is the smart answer to your holiday gift giving needs this year. Your teens will love being able to take stylish photos to share instantly with friends and you will love getting all of these amazing premium features for an affordable price. Did I mention the long-lasting battery offers up to 16 hours of talk time? Maybe don’t mention that part to your teen. 
The Alcatel IDOL 4 is available at Bell and Virgin, $0 on a two-year term or retails for $299.00 with no term.
The Giveaway
I am so excited to share that one very lucky MapleMouseMama reader is going to win the Alcatel IDOL 4 Smartphone!! To be eligible to win please complete the Rafflecopter below with your qualifying answers. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents over the age of 18, excluding Quebec. Please read our giveaway rules before entering. This giveaway will end on January 6th, 2017 . Good luck!
What feature of the Alcatel IDOL 4 do you think you would use/love the most? Have a look at them here.
FT&PD
Suz
**For lots more great gift giving ideas, please check out the #MMMGiftGuide!
**Be sure to enter the many giveaways we have going on right now, including ones for cash!!
Disclosure: I was provided with product from Alcatel for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
MICRO-VIDEO looks like something I would enjoy. I take so many videos of my grandchildren and this feature would make it much more fun.
I would love to use that 13 MP camera to take photos during my travels.
I would use the Hi-fi Audio feature the most. My kids and I listen to music from my phone alot (Youtube, Pandora, etc) and the high quality would be great!
OH! I just love the powerful HiFi speakers!
I think the immersive High-Fi Audio experience will be the feature I appreciate most- loud enough to have dance parties with my girls or play a video on a long drive that they can hear without plugging into the radio. Love it!
Probably the camera features as its so hard to get a good and crisp photo in low light!
Thank you for a chance!
Improved Mobile Photography i love a good selfie!! hahhaah
The camera would be the feature I would love to try.
I would like the 13MP main camera.
I would use the camera a lot!
The BOOM KEY – easy access to the apps I use most!
the camera
The 13MP main camera would be great. Love that it is an affordable Smart Phone!
I would be most likely to use the camera.
I think I would use the camera feature the most.
The 5.2 inch Full HD display!
the camera feature for sure
I like the 16 hour long life talk time battery it has.
I think I would enjoy the camera feature the most with its wide-angle front camera with flash
That Boom Key for creating a picture collage is a pretty amazing feature! will have to up my tech game! lol
Just love the camera on the Alcatel IDOL 4….a 13 MP main camera, the 8 MP, wide-angle front camera with flash and the IDOL 4’s MICRO-VIDEO
Exclusive Boom Key – Exclusively found on IDOL 4 taking the user experience to a whole new level for music playback, camera functions, and more unique IDOL 4 Experiences
I think the camera would be the most exciting feature.
I would love the powerhouse sound feature.
The camera for sure and the long-lasting battery life.
I like the camera feature the most.
I think the Boom Key is what I’d use the most. I hate having to scroll/mess with buttons to use features.
I would not be using this myself-I would be gifting this to my 13 year old son as his first phone. I’m guessing he would use the 13 MP camera quite alot.
I am most excited for the camera and it works in low light too I take lots of photos so this would be wonderful
I like the long lasting Battery life.
I think I will use the camera on the phone the most.
I would use the camera the most since I have to take photos for work all the time.
The feature of the Alcatel IDOL 4 i think i would love the most is the camera
I’d enjoy using those cameras, the phone I have at the moment has a camera that really doesn’t deserve that title!
I like the Exclusive Boom Key makes it easier to launch applications that I use often.
I like the boom key
I like that the camera is 13 mp and the front facing camera is 8mp and wide angle. My family loves selfies on vacation
I think i’d love the camera feature.
The camera because I don’t own one and I have an adorable granddaughter I need to take pics of.
I love the cameras!!
I would use the camera the most ( dont we all ) lol , but I love the 3.6-watt multi directional speakers , good sound is nice to have
The feature I like the most is the expandable memory with a MicroSD up to 128GB
I love the camera, I would use that feature the most
I would use the camera the most
My favorite feature is the two awesome cameras
I would use the camera. It sounds amazing with the manual settings, Panorama mode, and High Dynamic Range (HDR).
I’d use and love the camera and all it’s features like the fast face focus and the one-click video editor
Definitely the camera!
The camera would be my favorite part!
It’s a close call which feature of the Alcatel Idol 4 I would use most. I love the Onetouch Music and also the cameras!!
I like the Multi-directional Sound the most for blasting my tunes.
The camera for outstanding pictures
I would use the camera a lot.
the 13 MP camera would be great to try out!
the camera
i like the camera, it takes great photos in low light and the front camera has a wide-angle too
I am going to say the battery life because that is so important
I WOULD GET USE OUT THE CAMERA AN GOOGLE PLAY AND FACEBOOK?????????GREAT GIVEAWAY
Improved Mobile Photography – That would be perfect for trying to get photos of my two children
My favorite features are the 5.2-inch Full HD display and Micro-Video.
I think the camera would be the feature I would love and use the most.
The powerful HiFi speakers sounds awesome!
The camera would be my favourite feature.
I would love the camera the most.
I would use the camera a lot, and it looks like a great feature on the phone.
My favourite feature is the fast speed for downloading and browsing!
i love the 13 MP main camera that includes manual settings, Panorama mode and HDR even in low light…
I love the 13 MP main camera & features. I’d be using that alot!
The feature I would use the most is the camera – love that it even takes good photos in dim light! I just got my first smart phone this September, and since I only had a flip phone previously I went with the cheapest one when I upgraded. Now that I see the photos people can take with their phones, I am looking to upgrade mine so that I can take good photos too!
My favorite feature is the high quality camera!
It has a high quality camera!
The camera would be the feature I love most!
I’d probably use the Micro Video feature the most
I love to take pictures of people so I think I would love the fast face focus feature the best of the Alcatel IDOL 4.
the fast face focus (say that three times fast) seems so useful, i have so many blurry selfies that i didnt have time for do-overs
I’ve never had a camera with a really good camera. this would be such a treat
I would use the 13 MP main camera the most because I can take crisp photos even in low light.
I’ll be using the 8 megapixel front facing wide-angle selfie camera the most.
I would say the camera
I would like the 13MP main camera.
My favorite feature is the 13MP camera!
I love the sharp 13 MP main camera
I’d use the camera the most.
I think I;d use the camera the most.
Omg the camera looks amazing!! I’d be taking all the pics
I like the 8 MP, wide-angle front camera with flash that makes group selfies easy
I like that it has a sharp 13 MP main camera
I like that is has a 13MP Camera, a feature I would use quite frequesntly
I would say the camera
Camera!!! <3 <3
I would definitely make use of the camera.
I listen to music on my cell phone a lot, so the HI-FI AUDIO EXPERIENCE would be great.
I’d really like to try the camera.
I love the 13 MP camera ! I would love this ! Thanks for the chance
I like the long-lasting battery life.
I would like to try the camera
Love the Panorama mode, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) for crisp photos even in low light. I would use that the most.
The video feature is one I would try to master.
I would like the excellent camera.
I love the design and I would definitely use the 13 MP camera the most.
I like the long lasting battery, and the MicroSD Support up to 128GB feature.
The 13 MP camera for taking pics.
I would probably use the Improved Mobile Photography the most
I would really like this feature:
The IDOL 4 features a sharp 13 MP main camera which includes manual settings, Panorama mode, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) for crisp photos even in low light.
I seriously hate when I can’t see my phone screen in the sunlight. So my favorite feature is the 5.2 inch Full HD display which would enable me to see even under direct sunlight.
8 MP, wide-angle front camera with flash
The 13 MP main camera is great!
The camera is the main thing that caught my eye.
I would like the camera the best
I would use the boom key the most. Makes things much easier and faster
I would most use the 13 MP main camera.
The long lasting battery
Fast face focus will be a nice feature to take advantage of when taking photos of my kids!
I would like the camera and the quality of the photos and video.
I’d use the awesome camera the most!
I would use the camera and music the most .
I like the long lasting battery
love the powerful HiFi speakers!
The camera would be the feature I love most.
I would definitely use the camera the most – I have a one year old and would love to be able to take great shots with my phone.
Multi-directional Sound
I definitely would choose the camera as my feature of choice, especially with the holidays approaching.
I would Love the 13MP main camera. I have never had my own cell phone so I would have so much fun learning all it could do and I would Love to take pictures wherever I go. Thank you for this Fantastic Giveaway and Happy Holidays !!
I like the BOOM key feature!
I would love the camera, often times there is just a moment you want to remember and you don’t have your camera
The powerful HiFi speakers
I think the camera is the feature I would appreciate the most.
The camera, I love taking pictures
the camera features
The camera features. I hate lugging a big camera around.
The sharp 13 MP main camera
I think I would most enjoy the 5.2-inch Full HD display.
The High Dynamic Range camera features for crisp photos even in low light!
5.2 inch Full HD display. thanks
I love and would use all the time the Dual 3.6-watt multi-directional speakers.
I’d like the IMMERSIVE HI-FI AUDIO EXPERIENCE. I listen to A LOT of music both with and without headphones so great sound is really important to me on my devices.
i like the long battery life
The camera that includes a manual setting!
I like the Reliable Battery with up to 16 hours of talk time
the camera!
I would say the camera. I love taking pictures
the powerful HiFi speakers.
Fast Face Focus sounds cool
My favourite feature is the M3 camera.
I would use the 13MP camera the most on the phone.
I would use the camera the most so that to me is the best feature.
lovin the camera!!
Reliable Battery – Long-lasting 2610 battery with up to 16 hours of talk time: this is the feature I’d love the most.
I like the 5.2 inch Full HD display.
It’s a tie between a long lasting battery and the camera
It seems to have really great camera and video capabilities, I use my phone for Instagram a lot so that would awesome for me!
I love the powerful HiFi speakers
The 13 MP camera would be awesome! We have begun to rely on our cellphone camera on vacations lately so this would be awesome!
I would definitely love the camera features. I currently use my phone more for taking pictures then for making phone calls!
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I love the 13MP camera that gives you improved mobile photography!
I love the Exclusive Boom Key feature.
The MicroSD Support up to 128GB is what I really like as I am always running out of memory
Sorry I clicked on the fb entry without going to the fb page…so I went after.
No worries, thanks Edith!
the boom key feature seems really cool. I would love to try it.
I like the Dual 3.6-watt multi-directional speakers with Hi-Fi support enhanced by Waves Audio Technology
would love to use that 13 MP camera
i love that it offers brilliant viewing experience even under direct sunlight…when you’re out and about its great to be able to use a phone anywhere you want
I would use the camera feature the most because I love taking pictures.
I like the HiFi speakers!
I like the fast speed for downloading and browsing
I would love the camera most so i could instagram
I’m really intrigued by that boom key, looks like a nice feature!
The battery life sounds great. I can’t imagine not having to plug in all the time to charge.
My favourite feature is the microvideo where I can edit my videos right on the device.
I think I would love the awesome 13 MP main camera so that I can catch all those on the go moments!
I have the first idol which I just broke the screen on!
This would be AMAZING!! Thanks!
I like the 5.2 inch Full HD display
I like the 5.2 inch Full HD display
I love the HiFi speakers
I love the long-lasting battery offers up to 16 hours of talk time! I blab more than my teen!
The micro SD for extra storage
I really like the wide-angle front camera for taking pic’s with all the kids!!!
The battery life is most important to me.
The BOOM key is fab!
I would love to use that 13 MP camera
The BOOM key!
I like the sounds of the 13 MP main camera
I think the BOOM KEY is an awesome feature!
I love the 5.2-inch Full HD display for brilliant on-the-go entertainment.
I love the 13MP great camera , i love taking pics on my phone , especially of my New Grandson
Love the features!
The Camera.
Love the Boom feature! nice little phone
I’m still using a blackberry 9900 so my OS makes it so I can’t use a lot of apps, or even my online banking from my phone. So the android OS would be my favourite feature. My phone also takes really bad photos, so I would really enjoy taking pics of the kiddies that aren’t blury and grainy
The great camera
I love the camera, but the Reliable Battery – Long-lasting 2610 battery with up to 16 hours of talk time is very useful to me!
I have 6 grandchildren, I would use the camera the most. Thanks for the opportunity.
The camera is what I’d probably use the most. Love unexpected pictures and with a good phone camera it would be amazing to capture those moments.
The camera sounds great.
i love the 13 mp camera!
The camera features would be awesome.
my phone is really old and outdated, but I am scared to update! I think I would love the camera on the Idol 4 – I really enjoy taking pictures and sharing them !
I would use the camera feature most. I take a lot of photos and videos
The Boom Key
I’d make good use of the camera with High Dynamic Range (HDR) for crisp photos even in low light
dual multi-directional 3.6-watt speakers
I love the hi fi speakers
I wold use the 13MP Main Camera so I don’t have to use my manual camera!
I think I would use the one-of-a-kind Onetouch Music app the most for listening to my favourite tunes.
I like that it has Dual 3.6-watt multi-directional speakers with Hi-Fi support enhanced by Waves Audio Technology
I think I would use it in general since I don’t have a smartphone. But overall I would use the camera features – a way to easily have a camera with me.
I would love the 13 MP camera feature the most
My favorite feature is the powerful HiFi speakers.