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Alcatel OT-E801: Bargain music phone, great stocking filler

Tags: alcatel, handset, microsd, microsd card

If you or a loved one craves a music phone this Christmas but don't have the cash to splash, then don't worry. The Alcatel OT-E801 is not only a very cute little music-playing handset, it's also pretty cheap at a mere £40.

For that bargain price you get a dual-band handset with a colour screen. It measures a pocket-friendly 47mm wide by 95mm tall by 18mm deep and weighs only 80g. Most importantly, the OT-E801 has an expandable microSD slot that can support up to 2GB of music -- or 500 songs.

The OT-E801 doesn't have a camera or 3G connectivity, so steer clear if you're looking for something feature-packed. Plus you'll need to buy an adaptor if you want to use your own headphones. We're not overly keen on the keypad, which is squashed together, but the OT-E801 does what it says on the tin and for a very low price.

You can drag and drop music files straight on to it and there are some nifty dedicated music buttons on the side. You can also set the music player to repeat certain tracks or all your music, and there's an iPod-style shuffle mode.

The phone comes in black or white, both of which are available at Woolworths. However, the white one is on T-Mobile and doesn't come with a microSD card, while the black one comes with a 128MB card pre-installed, from Orange. T-Mobile's version is cheaper at only £30, but if want to use it as a music phone you'll need some extra storage, and a 2GB microSD card will set you back about £40 to £50. -AL

Update: a full review of the Alcatel OT-E801 is now live.

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Comments (52)

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Alcatel OT-E801

Comments

luke rosserWed 27 December, 2006 7:09pm

actually the white 1 i bought in woolworths today is only £19.99 and does come with a 64mb card

AnonymousWed 27 December, 2006 7:44pm

I BOUGHT THIS FROM WOOLWORTHS TODAY AND IT COMES WITH A 64MB MICRO SD CARD. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT I CANT PUT MY MUSIC ON TO IT. BECAUSE WHEN I PLUG IT IN TO MY COMPUTER AND ACTIVATED THE USB IT SAYS FAILED. CAN YOU PLEASE WRITE DOWN AND POST A SOLUTION FOR THIS.

AnonymousThu 28 December, 2006 11:58am

what do you need to format the micro sd card please post a solution in.

thanks

AnonymousFri 6 April, 2007 8:04pm

i cant seem to get my comp to recognise my ot-e801 i want to download music on my phone plz could someone plz e-mail me an easy solution of what to do as i am not very computer literate only had me comp for couple days now it is windows xp so it should recognise the mp3 player on me phone plz plz plz plz plz plz plz!!!!!!!!!!!!11

AnonymousThu 28 December, 2006 6:36pm

i had the same problem!!! it still wont't work and i don't know why!!

AnonymousFri 29 December, 2006 1:06pm

what do you need to format the micro sd cards with.
please post a solution in thanks

AnonymousSun 31 December, 2006 2:19pm

whats the biggest micro sd card you can use? is it 2gb

AnonymousWed 31 January, 2007 2:00pm

AnonymousMon 26 March, 2007 10:15pm

dus eny 1 no how i can use the mp3s as a ringtone i got the converta off the alcatel website n cut them down bt wen i pt them on2 the phone i carnt set thm as a rintone can eny 1 help w/b help meeeeeeeeeeeee pleeeeeeessssssssss

loganMon 5 March, 2007 11:42pm

this phone looks nica and that but dont even bother the amount of problems you encounter are just stupid after reading all of those other coments i still dont no wher to start i just cant get music on the blady phone i even put the memery card in a differant phone then put music on it and it still dident work

AnonymousWed 27 December, 2006 9:40pm

Yeah, I got this phone for christmas ans cant seem to put any tracks on it either. If anyone figures it please tell me. Apart from that seems a really cool phone.
Cheers

Adam O'RourkeWed 27 December, 2006 11:19pm

The Big Problem Was That The Memory Cards Are Not Formatted, What You Need To Do Is Ask Your Dad Or Mom If They Can Format It For You, It Really Pissed Me Off, After It Was Formatted, All You Need To Do Is Activate The Connection Trough The Usb Thingy And Just Click And Drag The Music Into Your Mp3 Folder (make that Yourself) I'm Listening To About 20 Songs Now.. Not Many But Ima get The 2GB Card.. Cool.

AnonymousThu 28 December, 2006 10:54am

Does anyone know how to format the sd memory card of the OT - E801 mobile phone so that I can download music?

Also, I am having problem with the texting function, the 'create' function doesn't seem to exit in the Message option?

Please help, on behalf of my son.

wendleThu 28 December, 2006 11:52pm

I've formatted a 1gb card and it still doesn't work. The 128mb card supplied works ok - a guy at orange thought maybe it had a 512mb restriction - has anyone tried a 512mb card with success - or a 1gb for that matter? The orange guy said to check on alcatel website but can't find that either.. the link doesnt work.

AnonymousSun 31 December, 2006 3:24am

for the alcatel u have to format it "put it in another phone and format " and then it should work if now leave card out of ur phone and wait 10 mins then put bk in any probs my email is xxregx2004xx@hotmail.com

reg

AnonymousMon 22 January, 2007 6:27pm

i got the phone and i dont under stand how to format the memery-card ,now i now wat people mean by u get wat u pay for eneyone coan tell me how would realy help in fall, because i dont understand email me at redheadbaby123@hotmail.com THANKS xxxxx

ZamaSun 31 December, 2006 6:44pm

Just got the phone as a belated present and I am nearly in tears !!!!!!! I can seem to get the music on, I mistakenly deleted the MP3 folder on Windows, now the music shows up on Windows media but not on the phone, someone please HELP ME !!!!!!!!!!

Mick oneellMon 1 January, 2007 9:16pm

I bought the phone a few days ago and iam still having trouble downloading music, dont need this xxxx. Just want to do it quickley and away i go. To save to bother now iam going to return it and stuff another phone from Alcatel xxxx.

AnonymousTue 2 January, 2007 3:31pm

I bought two of these phones one for my daughter one for my son. only one box contained Sd Card. both came from woolworths anyone know where i can get one from?

spezzingtonTue 2 January, 2007 11:00pm

The Alcatel def has a USB port and comes with USB lead - the lead is a mini-usb to usb type. Stick the mini end in ur phone and the usb end in a port on ur PC. when youve connected the 2 go into E801 menu / settings / usb connection / activate. Once youve done this ur PC should annouce a new removeable drive. On XP i think you get a pop up message, on 2000 you simply get a new drive appear in explorer window. add MP3 files to a folder called MP3 on the E801 mem stick - btw Ive bought a 1Gb stick from MyMemory for £15 which works a treat - more songs than the battery can play!

spezzingtonTue 2 January, 2007 11:19pm

£20 in Woolies - result! - I paid £40 woolies online - damn!

Format mem card? - not sure y u wanna do this - but if you to it needs to be connected to PC and visible in explorer window - from there you can right-click the drive (MAKE SURE ITS CORRECT ONE!) and use tools to format - choose the FAT file system - the E801 wont recognise anything else.

Memory Size - it will take whatever micro SD you can lay ur hands on - i got 1Gb from mymemory.co.uk - they do up to 2Gb - can you but bigger yet?

Mem Cards not formatted? - very unlikely - Ive never bought an unformatted mem card - they work straight out box - Adam - check ur facts!

Texting? - simple! - try menu/messages/create - type message - options/send/type number or goto dir to choose and then send - easy!

MP3 location - make sure ur MP3's are in a folder called MP3 on ur mem card.

let me know if u need anymore help!!

DonnaThu 4 January, 2007 7:23pm

Can someone please explain to me in simple terms how to format the SD card that comes with the Alcatel OT.E801, nothing happens when i plug the usb in. Thank you

NICKYMon 16 April, 2007 10:38am

I BOUGHT MINE FOR £25 WITH 125MB CARD THINGY 4RM T MOBILE BUT I CANT DOUNLOAD MUSIC IT SAYS IT MALFUNCTIONED AND DOESNT RECOGNISE IT. THAT SUCKS.

AnonymousFri 5 January, 2007 7:37pm

Ye dunno, there is no option 'Create' under messages and wtf is this bs of having to format the card? lol

taking this crap back tomorrow thx

herchonSat 6 January, 2007 12:57pm

Bought alcatel white today on t mobile from wool worths with 64 mb card for 20 pounds .. hooray! a nice cheap phone ( 10 pounds cheaper than orange!) I've already managed to unlock the phone myself because of the usb cable provided.
Anyway!
to get the phone plugged up to the pc you will either need a different phone that accepts micro sd cards, a sd card with a micro sd card slot in it or a multiple card docking station. all you need to do is have your pc recognise the micro sd card, once you have got it to find it, right click it.. press format, change from fat32 to fat , format, put card back in alcatel ,plug to pc , press connect via usb and you're done!
have fun!

AnonymousSat 6 January, 2007 6:18pm

To the person who unlocked this phone with USB cable, what software did you use?

Thanks

David ZTue 3 April, 2007 2:30pm

Have got this phone on Orange - what software do I need to UNLOCK it.........

AnonymousThu 18 January, 2007 8:21pm

it is supposed to be formatted fat16. problem is here that i can only use half the disk, if I add more then the filesystem becomes #$%,&*ed without warning.

ZulfTue 30 January, 2007 7:18pm

i have manged to p8 music on to da fone b8 it doesnt seeeem to play loud!!!!!!!! som 1 elp me plssssssssss it shws da song playin b8 no sound coms owt... i fink it requires earphones whihc i dont have :( any knw a miricle to solve dis problem ?
pls help tnk u very much!

AnonymousThu 8 March, 2007 12:05pm

i need headphones for the e801 i can't find it any were

SmaDWed 28 March, 2007 6:00pm

Hi,
MP3:
with this phone, you can listen mp3 from the SD card. But you CAN’T change the ringtone with the MP3 from the SD card. THE SD card MP3 Player and the phone are too separate tool.
But you can put your personnal data and carry them in your phone (it’s easy than having another USB stick), and use TrueCrypt to secure them

HeadPhone :
the original headphone is crap, and I have a good headphone but jack model.
who try to use a mini USB - Jack Adapter?

I tried the headphone for Motorola sell on EBay. doesnt’ work.

Find another web stie which sell some:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/12552.htm
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=142090
http://www.expansys.com/htc/p_htc_item.aspx?i=145066

haven’t try them, if you do, let me know :-)

Thanks

BTW : great phone !!

AnonymousSat 17 March, 2007 9:27pm

I bought this cell these days, but i lost hte earphones. Im looking everywhere but nothing. I cant stand without the player.Pls if you know something about such mini usb earphones, pls post here. I need an site whhere can I buy them.By the way Im from Macedonia.

shyanaTue 27 March, 2007 8:20pm

I dont no how to put music on micro sd can u please post me the sollution to me thank you

AnonymousFri 30 March, 2007 2:40pm

i have thing fone and i have been to the web site and down loaded the conveter to put them on my fone and got them on there but it will not plz it can you help me and tell me way ?

AnonymousFri 30 March, 2007 9:13pm

I would like to use different headphone, but can't find an adaptor to fit in the mini usb socket. I have tried the Motorola mini USB - Jack Adapter advertised on ebay (Motorola Audio Stereo Jack mini USB 3.5mm V3 U6 Adapter). Unfortunately it does not work with this phone. Does anyone know of an alternative adaptor which will work.

Thanks

AnonymousSat 31 March, 2007 1:24am

How can i unlock this Phone for free,,,,the unlocking cost much more than the Phone,,,,any help from the guy who unlocked his using the usb cable provided will be very much appreciated.

AnonymousTue 1 May, 2007 5:42pm

I got the phone £10 from orange computer says I have tracks on memory card phone says no valid mp3 file present please help cos the phone is seriously annoying me now. I didn't get no instruction manual either

stuTue 1 May, 2007 9:00pm

got this phone for a tenner and with £11 credit, bargain!
put in 128mb card with it and loaded music on ok.
now got a 1gb card and keeps giving micro sd card error on phone.
so cant put any music on it.
card is ok as have put music on it from cardreader/writer.
but still no go in phone. HELP!!

marthaThu 7 June, 2007 12:51pm

hi, does anyone know if this phone can use the same headphones as the nokia 7600? does this phone need headphones that are just have a usb plug?
thanks

AnonymousThu 14 June, 2007 11:54am

If you're looking for Alcatel OT-E801 usb/audio pinout the solution is here: http://gsmhosting.com/vbb/showpost.php?p=2503307&postcount=6 . There is no usb-miniJack adaptor to connect other earphones at this time. I've made it by myself using above pinout. BTW The mp3 files must be located in 'mp3' folder on SD card. Only this files phone can play.

marthaMon 25 June, 2007 6:32pm

even after i formatted the card to fat format the computer would still not recognise the phone, but i was able to put music on the card with a memory card reader and then put the card in the phone- there must be a better solution?

AnonymousFri 3 August, 2007 12:51pm

I got the same phone E-80i 6 months ago and i was very intrested in the phone because of the music download on a cheap fone and it looked nice but to my disapointment the fone dose not offer u wht it says it dose. i have been tryn to download music ever since i bought it but it has never worked. Whts up with that

AnonymousFri 23 November, 2007 8:37am

formatted MICRO SD CARD TO FAT16
CREATE MP3 FLODER
COPY MUSIC INTO MP3 FLODER
I CAN USE 2G MICRO SD CARD
GOOD LUCK!

AnonymousSat 1 December, 2007 8:31pm

bought this phone last yr, does come with a memory card, only problem is...you can't put music on them, usb connection always fails...Alcatel aren't very helpful either, after loads of emailing, alls the said was i could have a new usb cable. which wasn't the problem. I don't reccomend this phone.

AnonymousSat 22 December, 2007 1:09pm

pls can you help me i need headset of E801 Alcatel, i can see it here in NIGERIAN or you send your office addres to my mail sweetkelechi@yahoo.com

AnonymousSat 29 December, 2007 7:09pm

i got one about a year ago and it never worked computer said no basically any one no why? for some reason i never looked into it before now

AnonymousMon 14 January, 2008 7:01pm

i got the phone the music duss not work

AnonymousThu 6 March, 2008 11:26pm

i had the same problem and i found the solution, try this, connect the phone into a different usb port and restart the computer.
Good luck

AnonymousMon 24 March, 2008 7:26pm

GANHEI ESTE CELULAR DO MEU NAMORADO ...... E ADICIONEI MUSICAS NELE MAIS EU NAÃ• ESTOU CONSEGUINDO ESCULTAR NEM UMA ...... O QUE EU FAÃ‡O S.O.S.

AnonymousThu 8 May, 2008 11:10am

please add loud spicar