The Lenovo K3 Note offered incredible value when it launched, while the iPhone 6 Plus represented Apple's premium large-screen offering. But how do these phones, now several years old, stack up against each other? We're diving deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which one might still be worth considering.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 6 Plus wins overall, boasting superior performance, a more polished iOS experience, and a slightly better camera. However, the Lenovo K3 Note's impressive battery life and significantly lower price point make it a compelling option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29 - A1522 GSM, A1522 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | HSDPA 2100 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2014, September 09. Released 2014, September 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| 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 (~67.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Typhoon (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Apple A8 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) | iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 750 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 36 h (3G) | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2915 mAh, non-removable (11.1 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s | A1522, A1524, iPhone7,1 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 420 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94dB / Crosstalk -72dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 53h
| Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1793:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1361 (nominal), 3.023 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 984Basemark X: 5656 | - |
Lenovo K3 Note
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent display contrast
- Octa-core processor
- Lower performance
- Less polished software
- Mediocre camera
- Older hardware
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
- Superior performance
- Premium iOS experience
- Better camera quality
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Strong resale value
- Higher price
- Older model
- Battery degradation likely
- Limited storage options (depending on model)
Display Comparison
The iPhone 6 Plus has a slightly better contrast ratio (1361:1 nominal, 3023:1 sunlight) compared to the Lenovo K3 Note (1793:1 nominal). The iPhone 6 Plus also excels in sunlight readability. While both displays are adequate, the iPhone's color accuracy and overall image quality are noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the iPhone 6 Plus consistently delivers better image quality, dynamic range, and color reproduction. Apple's image processing is generally more refined. The K3 Note's camera is adequate for casual snapshots but struggles in low light.
Performance
The iPhone 6 Plus's Apple A8 chip and dual-core Typhoon CPU provide significantly better performance than the Lenovo K3 Note's Mediatek MT6752 and octa-core Cortex-A53. iOS is also more optimized for the A8, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading times. The K3 Note can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 53h, indicating excellent battery life. However, real-world usage might differ slightly due to software optimization and usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K3 Note is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize battery life and don't need the latest and greatest features. The iPhone 6 Plus is a better choice for those who value a premium user experience, iOS ecosystem integration, and a more reliable camera, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo K3 Note still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else. Be aware of its limitations in performance and camera quality.
❓ How does the iPhone 6 Plus's iOS compare to Android?
iOS is known for its user-friendliness, security, and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Android offers more customization options and open-source flexibility.
❓ Can I still get software updates for either of these phones?
The Lenovo K3 Note is unlikely to receive further updates. The iPhone 6 Plus has stopped receiving major iOS updates, but may still receive security patches for a limited time.
