Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD vs Samsung Galaxy Note II - first look

posted by Nick T. / Feb 26, 2013, 11:46 AM

Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD vs Samsung Galaxy Note II

The Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD is one of the many Android smartphones the company has on display here at MWC 2013. Think of it as a relatively affordable alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Note II, given the fact that Alcatel's phablet also comes with a spacious display and a stylus thrown in the box. However, there are a few trade-offs that must be noted.

To start, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD has a 1.2GHz quad-core processor made by MediaTek, while the Samsung Galaxy Note II is equipped with a 1.6GHz Exynos chip. While chances are that the real-life performance of the former won't disappoint, we're pretty sure that the latter packs the stronger punch. Also, while both smartphones come with 720p displays, the one on the Galaxy Note II offers slightly more real estate being of 5.5-inches in diagonal versus the 5 inches offered by the One Touch Scribe HD.

Designwise, both the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD and the Samsung Galaxy Note II fit in the same category. On the outside, both are made out of plastic with glossy finish. In addition, both devices come in multiple colors, although we must note that the color hues chosen by Alcatel are brighter, suitable for the younger crowd.

The stylus that the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD comes with out of the box is pretty generic so it should work with all capacitive touch screens. It is a bit frustrating that one has to carry it in their pocket unlike just sliding it inside a dedicated slot like the case is with the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Alcatel will ship the One Touch Scribe HD with a protective flip screen cover out of the box. It is detachable and sticks to the device with the help of magnets. The accessory looks far from fancy, but we appreciate the fact that it comes included in the set.

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14 Comments

1. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

I don't understand why a phone that incorporates a stylus as an integral part of its operation wouldn't include a place to hold it. Even old, tiny Windows Mobile devices had sheathes for styli. Also, in the second paragraph you used the word "latter" twice in the same sentence. I'm sure you meant "the real-life performance of the former won't disappoint."

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 11:49 AM 7

3. g2a5b0e unregistered

I agree. Same with the LG Vu/Intuition. I bet countless users have already lost them. I love my Note 2 because I can't walk 10 feet with my phone in hand without it telling me that I haven't replaced the stylus.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 12:15 PM 6

2. ama3654

Posts: 295; Member since: Nov 27, 2012

The Galaxy note 2 in its own league in terms of productivity compared to any other phone/phablet at the moment.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 11:56 AM 7

6. Joshing4fun

Posts: 1251; Member since: Aug 13, 2010

So right. I haven't seen another phablet even rival the Note 2. The contenders always come with some major flaw that always discounts them immediately: awkward design, weak specs, poor screen, etc.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 12:40 PM 5

8. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

Until someone comes up with a NEW innovation with phablets, The Note 2 and those after it will be in a league of their own

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 2:12 PM 0

4. ryq24

Posts: 876; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

Most people don't use the stylus anymore after a few month buying note 2.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 12:21 PM 1

5. SleepingOz unregistered

That's what you think..

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 12:31 PM 3

7. urtard

Posts: 82; Member since: Jan 30, 2013

Wrong. One of the reason why people buy the note 2 is because of the stylus and they love using the stylus.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 12:46 PM 3

9. g2a5b0e unregistered

Do you even own one? Do you even know anyone that owns one? I use my stylus so much that I can't imagine going back to an Android that doesn't have one or has a smaller screen. I guess my next phone will have to be a Galaxy Note 3.

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 3:27 PM 3

13. richardyarrell2011

Posts: 510; Member since: Mar 16, 2011

Exactly, The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the BEST ultimate all purpose productivity device ever made since the inception of android. It's overall true multitasking abilities rival anything ever. The multi Window feature alone simply pisses on all smartphones on the market. And point blank the daily battery life is industry leading out of any device on the market. Never again will i own a normal smartphone that just turns on without any capabilities. My NEXT DEVICE will be the Galaxy Note 3 in October 2013. My current Galaxy Note 2 will become my backup device when the Note 3 is launched

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 6:59 AM 1

14. g2a5b0e unregistered

I always love your passion & enthusiam, RIchard. I see so many of your posts here & on T-Mobile News. Keep it up. The haters don't matter.

posted on Feb 27, 2013, 12:49 PM 0

10. Jeradiah3

I dont have the Note II and I know how important and useful the S-Pen is. I'll wait on the Note III as well

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 3:43 PM 1

11. ebubekir26

Posts: 337; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

absolutely wrong, the stylus on the Galaxy Note series is one of the best feutures people like, it's very handy, I use it almost everyday on my Galaxy Note II for quick notes or anything else, no one can beat Samsung in phablets

posted on Feb 26, 2013, 4:23 PM 1

12. RomeoJDR

Posts: 245; Member since: Dec 09, 2011

Alcatel is trying to manipulate consumers with the included stylus and name scribe into thinking they are getting the same features as found in the Note. The stylus is the same type that can be purchased for any phone or tablet and works no better than your finger whereas Samsungs Wacom stylus offers the precision necessary for handwriting, drawing, photoshop...etc. I'm sure Samsung had to pay quite a bit for including the Wacom pen tech and the only other products that come close would be N-Trig pen enabled. The only thing these phones have in common is size and a misleading similar name.