The Lenovo K12 Pro and K10 Note represent Lenovo's approach to the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they differ significantly in their core hardware. The K12 Pro, a newer device, features the Snapdragon 662, while the K10 Note relies on the older, but still capable, Snapdragon 710. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lenovo K10 Note offers a slightly better overall value. Its Snapdragon 710, built on a 10nm process, provides a performance edge over the K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). While the K12 Pro gains 20W charging, the K10 Note’s more powerful chipset makes it the preferable choice for demanding tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@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 | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage | Knight Black, Stardust Blue |
| Models | XT2091-8, XT2091-7 | PAFR0026IN, PAFR0026, PAFR0033IN, PAFR0033, PAFR0013IN, PAFR0013 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Lenovo K12 Pro
- Faster 20W charging
- Potentially newer software support
- May have slight improvements in display technology
- Less powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- 11nm process may lead to higher temperatures
- Potentially lower sustained performance
Lenovo K10 Note
- More powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset
- 10nm process for better efficiency
- Superior CPU and GPU performance
- Slower 18W charging
- Older chipset may have limited software updates
- Potentially larger bezels
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided in the context data. However, given the market positioning of both devices, it's reasonable to assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The K10 Note, being an older model, may have slightly larger bezels. Color accuracy is likely similar, targeting the standard sRGB color gamut. Without specific data, a definitive display comparison is impossible, but the K12 Pro, being newer, *may* benefit from panel improvements.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent from the provided data. Assuming typical configurations for this price range, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a depth or macro lens. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 710 is generally more advanced than that of the 662, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in the K10 Note’s photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo K10 Note’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) boasts a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver CPU configuration, while the K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm) features a 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver setup. The 10nm process of the SD710 generally translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance compared to the 11nm SD662. While core counts are similar, the higher clock speeds on the SD710’s performance cores give it an advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The GPU performance will also favor the K10 Note, offering a smoother experience in graphically demanding games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified. However, the K12 Pro’s 20W wired charging is a clear advantage over the K10 Note’s 18W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time. If battery capacities are similar, the K12 Pro will offer a more convenient charging experience. However, the Snapdragon 710’s 10nm process in the K10 Note may contribute to slightly better battery life during typical usage, offsetting the charging speed difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you prioritize faster charging and are primarily a casual user focused on everyday tasks like social media and light browsing. Buy the Lenovo K10 Note if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, or more demanding applications, and are willing to trade a slightly slower charging speed for a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 710 in the K10 Note struggle with modern games?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 710 is still capable of running many modern games at medium settings. Expect playable frame rates in titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, though you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal performance. The K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 will likely require even more compromises.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the K12 Pro compared to the K10 Note?
The K12 Pro’s 20W charging will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the K10 Note’s 18W. While exact times depend on battery capacity, expect the K12 Pro to gain several percentage points of charge in the same amount of time.
❓ Is the difference in chipsets noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference between the Snapdragon 662 and 710 will be minimal. Both phones will handle browsing, social media, and video playback without issue. However, the K10 Note will feel more responsive when switching between apps or multitasking.
