Lenovo A6 Note vs. Realme 5 Pro: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Lenovo A6 Note and Realme 5 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The A6 Note aims for affordability, while the 5 Pro attempts to deliver a more premium experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme 5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a significantly faster and more responsive experience than the Lenovo A6 Note’s MediaTek Helio P22. While both phones offer comparable battery endurance, the 5 Pro’s faster 20W charging is a substantial convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo A6 Note Realme 5 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, August 20. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions154.7 x 72.9 x 9.2 mm (6.09 x 2.87 x 0.36 in)157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)184 g (6.49 oz)
 -Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3+
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 616
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, 1/5.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired20W wired, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable4035 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueCrystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White
ModelsPAGK0027IN, PAGK0027, L19041RMX1971, RMX1973
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 430 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 182765 (v7) GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Lenovo A6 Note

  • Lower price point
  • Acceptable battery life
  • Simple and straightforward user experience

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Slower charging speed
  • Likely inferior camera quality

Realme 5 Pro

  • Much faster performance
  • Faster 20W charging
  • Brighter display
  • Potentially better camera

  • Slightly higher price
  • May not offer significantly longer battery life despite faster charging

Display Comparison

The Realme 5 Pro boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching a measured 512 nits compared to the Lenovo A6 Note’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate panels, the Realme 5 Pro’s superior brightness provides a more pleasant viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing for the Lenovo A6 Note. The Realme 5 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 712. While the presence of a 2MP macro lens on the Realme 5 Pro is common in this price range, its utility is limited. The Realme 5 Pro’s image processing capabilities will likely result in better dynamic range and low-light performance.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process and a more powerful CPU architecture – specifically, Kryo 360 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz – compared to the Lenovo A6 Note’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Realme 5 Pro. The Snapdragon 712 also offers a more capable GPU for gaming.

Battery Life

Both the Lenovo A6 Note and Realme 5 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging capability is a game-changer, allowing it to reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Lenovo A6 Note’s 10W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to fully replenish the battery. This faster charging speed provides a substantial convenience factor for Realme 5 Pro users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo A6 Note if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance, faster charging, and a more enjoyable overall user experience. It’s ideal for users who play mobile games, stream videos, or multitask frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't deliver the same performance as flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth gaming experience for most users.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro compared to the 10W charging on the Lenovo A6 Note in real-world use?
The Realme 5 Pro can reach 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Lenovo A6 Note will take considerably longer – likely over an hour – to achieve the same level. This difference is significant for users who need a quick battery boost before leaving the house.
❓ Does the Realme 5 Pro support software updates and security patches regularly?
Realme generally provides consistent software updates and security patches for its devices, including the 5 Pro. However, the frequency and duration of support can vary. Checking Realme’s official website or community forums for the latest update information is recommended.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme 5 Pro significantly better than the Lenovo A6 Note for taking photos in low-light conditions?
Based on the chipset and likely sensor differences, the Realme 5 Pro is expected to perform significantly better in low-light conditions. The Snapdragon 712’s ISP and potentially larger sensor will capture more light and produce clearer, more detailed images with less noise.