The Lenovo K10 Note and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects the differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 and Exynos 9611 chipsets, evaluating their impact on performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly faster charging experience, the Lenovo K10 Note emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 710 chipset, built on a 10nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Exynos 9611, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. However, the M31 Prime's larger battery offers potentially longer runtimes.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 16 | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Stardust Blue | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | PAFR0026IN, PAFR0026, PAFR0033IN, PAFR0033, PAFR0013IN, PAFR0013 | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
Lenovo K10 Note
- Faster charging (18W vs 15W)
- More efficient Snapdragon 710 chipset
- Potentially smoother gaming experience
- Likely smaller battery capacity
- Samsung's brand recognition is stronger in some markets
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Potentially longer battery life due to larger capacity
- Samsung’s One UI offers a feature-rich software experience
- Stronger brand recognition and support network
- Slower charging speed
- Exynos 9611 prone to thermal throttling
- Potentially less responsive UI
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on processing power impact. A smoother user interface, driven by the Snapdragon 710, can *feel* more responsive even on a similar panel. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for the segment – adequate but not color-critical.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with multiple auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The image processing algorithms will differ – Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while Lenovo tends towards a more natural look. The Exynos 9611’s ISP *may* offer slightly more advanced features, but the overall image quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor resolution and lens aperture, which are currently unknown. The absence of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be a weakness.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo K10 Note’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) which uses a 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. While the Exynos boasts higher peak clock speeds on its performance cores, the Snapdragon 710’s Kryo architecture is generally more efficient. This translates to better sustained performance under load, meaning less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 710’s Adreno 616 GPU is also a step up from the Mali-G72 MP3 in the Exynos 9611, offering a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime likely has a larger battery capacity than the Lenovo K10 Note, a common Samsung strategy. However, the Lenovo K10 Note compensates with 18W wired charging, compared to the M31 Prime’s 15W charging. This means the K10 Note will achieve a full charge faster, despite potentially having a smaller battery. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Snapdragon 710’s efficiency could offset the battery capacity difference, resulting in comparable all-day battery life for moderate users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K10 Note if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking without significant slowdowns, and value a quicker charging cycle. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if you prioritize maximizing battery life above all else, and your usage primarily consists of basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media browsing. The M31 Prime is also a better fit for users heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles played for extended periods may experience frame drops and reduced performance as the chip heats up. The Lenovo K10 Note’s Snapdragon 710, with its more efficient architecture, is less prone to this issue.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Lenovo K10 Note significantly faster than the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime?
Yes, while the difference may not seem substantial, 18W charging will noticeably reduce the time it takes to fully charge the Lenovo K10 Note. Expect a roughly 30-minute difference in a 0-100% charge cycle, making it more convenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times and multitasking between the two phones?
The Snapdragon 710 in the Lenovo K10 Note generally offers faster app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Exynos 9611. This is due to the Snapdragon’s more efficient CPU architecture and optimized memory management.
