Lenovo made waves in the budget smartphone market with the A7000 Turbo and K3 Note. Both offer impressive features for their price point, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo A7000 Turbo edges out the K3 Note due to slightly improved design and potentially better software support. However, the K3 Note's exceptional battery life remains a significant draw. Both share the same chipset, making the choice largely dependent on personal preferences regarding aesthetics and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 2100 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, January | 2015, March. Released 2015, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Mali-T760MP2 |
| OS | Android 5 (Lollipop), Vibe UI 2 | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 750 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 36 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow |
| Models | - | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 53h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1793:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 984Basemark X: 5656 |
Lenovo A7000 Turbo
- Slightly more modern design
- Potentially better software support
- Good value for money
- Battery life not as impressive as K3 Note
- Performance limited by RAM
Lenovo K3 Note
- Exceptional battery life (53h endurance)
- Good value for money
- Decent display contrast
- Design feels slightly dated
- Potentially less frequent software updates
- Performance limited by RAM
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display with a 1793:1 contrast ratio, indicating good black levels. However, the A7000 Turbo may have a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy and viewing angles, though this is difficult to definitively confirm without detailed testing. Resolution is likely 720p for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable, with both offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, supporting 1080p resolution. The A7000 Turbo *might* have slightly improved image processing algorithms.
Performance
Powered by the same Mediatek MT6752 chipset and Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, performance should be very similar in everyday tasks. Gaming performance will be adequate for less demanding titles. RAM configuration (likely 2GB for both) will be a limiting factor for multitasking.
Battery Life
The K3 Note boasts an impressive endurance rating of 53 hours, a significant advantage. The A7000 Turbo's battery capacity is likely slightly smaller, resulting in shorter battery life, though still respectable for a phone in this price range.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo A7000 Turbo is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly more modern design and potentially longer software updates. The Lenovo K3 Note is perfect for those who demand exceptional battery life and are willing to compromise slightly on design or potential future updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in design between the A7000 Turbo and K3 Note?
The A7000 Turbo generally has a more modern and refined design compared to the K3 Note, which has a slightly more utilitarian look.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in [current year]?
While both phones are older, they can still be a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize battery life (K3 Note) or a slightly more modern design (A7000 Turbo). However, consider newer budget options for improved performance and features.
