Alcatel V3 Ultra review: A ‘Note’-worthy comeback

Rating -- 3.5/5Alcatel

is returning to the Indian smartphone market, and it's doing so with an offering in the budget segment. While the Indian smartphone space is crowded with brands focusing on performance and cameras, Alcatel is taking a different approach. With a dual-mode matte display that can switch between colour and black-and-white (much like an e-reader), and a bundled stylus at no extra cost, the

Alcatel V3 Ultra

aims to carve out a niche of its own. The smartphone carries a price tag of Rs 19,999 (onwards). Is the V3 Ultra just another smartphone fighting for attention, or does it manage to make a place for itself? Let’s find out.

Design and display

Alcatel V3 Ultra doesn't try too hard to look different, yet it manages to stand out. With flat 2.5D edges and a weight of around 196 grams, the phone feels sturdy but not bulky. We received the Hyper Blue variant for review, and it’s quite eye-catching—thanks to its mix of matte and glossy finishes on the back and a subtle starry shimmer that catches the light. The circular camera module adds a bit of flair without going overboard (though we have this camera module design on multiple smartphones). On the right edge are the volume up and down buttons. Below them is the power button which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, followed by Nxtpaper shortcut slider (we’ll discuss its functionality shortly). On the top-left edge is the SIM card tray. At the bottom are the USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, mic and speakers. There’s also a stylus tucked neatly into the case which, notably, is included in the box. It can be used for doodling, note-taking, or simply navigating the screen. It’s passive—no Bluetooth or battery—but works well enough for casual use.

But the real star here is the display.Alcatel V3 Ultra features a 6.78-inch Nxtpaper panel that brings something truly unique to the table—a dual-mode screen. With a simple flick of the Nxtpaper slider on the side, the display transforms from a vibrant colour mode into a matte black-and-white interface, similar to what you'd see on a Kindle or other e-reader. This isn’t just a gimmick—it’s genuinely useful if you like to read on your phone.

The matte finish makes the screen easier on the eyes, especially for long reading sessions. It also cuts down glare and resists fingerprints far better than regular glossy panels. If you're someone who reads a lot on your phone, or just wants a distraction-free mode for writing or browsing, this feature might become your new favourite.The 1080 x 2460 resolution ensures decent sharpness, and the 120Hz refresh rate helps make scrolling feel smooth, whether you're in colour or monochrome mode. While colours in standard mode are not the most vibrant (partly due to the matte coating), the trade-off is worth it for the versatility and eye comfort.Overall, this is one of the few phones in the sub-Rs 20,000 category that dares to do something different with its display—and pulls it off quite well.

Performance

Alcatel V3 Ultra is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, paired with Android 14 layered with Alcatel’s custom UI. On paper, this is a mid-tier chipset that’s designed more for efficiency than raw power—and that shows in everyday use.In daily tasks like texting, calling, browsing social media, or watching YouTube, the phone performs well. App switching is mostly smooth, and scrolling feels fluid thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. Even casual games like Subway Surfers run just fine. The user interface is clean and relatively light, which helps keep things moving without unnecessary bloat.

However, the phone does struggle under pressure. Try multitasking with several heavy apps or playing graphically demanding games and you’ll notice occasional stutters or frame drops. It's not unusable, but it’s clear that this device isn’t made for power users or gamers.During our testing, the phone also got noticeably warm while charging or using GPS outdoors. That said, we didn’t face any major overheating or performance throttling.If your usage revolves around basic day-to-day activities with the occasional burst of creativity or entertainment, the V3 Ultra holds its own. But if you're expecting flagship-level speed or heavy gaming performance, you'll probably need to look elsewhere.

Camera

On paper, Alcatel V3 Ultra boasts a 108MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens. At the front, there is a 32MP camera for selfies. While the specs sound impressive, real-world results are fairly average.

Photos taken in daylight are passable but often lack sharp details and tend to soften skin tones. Low-light and indoor shots struggle with clarity, and the front camera delivers grainy selfies even under good lighting. The macro lens, like on most phones in this segment, is mostly forgettable.Simply put, the V3 Ultra’s cameras are fine for casual shots and social media, but if photography is a priority, this phone won’t blow you away.

Battery life

The smartphone houses a 5,010mAh battery, which sounds promising on paper. In everyday use, it mostly delivers. During our testing, we found that the phone comfortably lasts a full day with moderate use - social media, messaging, some video streaming, and occasional camera use.In our experience, the phone gave around 10 to 12 hours of screen time, depending on how often we used the colour vs black-and-white display modes. The monochrome mode, in particular, helps stretch the battery life significantly, especially during reading or long browsing sessions.The box comes with a 33watt charger which takes about an hour and some minutes to go from 0% to 100%.

Verdict

At Rs 19,999, Alcatel V3 Ultra dares to be different in a segment crowded with lookalikes. Its dual-mode matte display is genuinely refreshing, the bundled stylus adds value, and the clean UI makes day-to-day use pleasant. However, with average cameras and a processor that’s not meant for heavy lifting, it won’t suit those chasing top-tier performance. If you’re someone who values eye comfort, reads a lot, or simply wants a phone that doesn’t follow the crowd—this one might just earn a place in your pocket.