The Lenovo K3 Note and A7000 Turbo were popular budget smartphones offering impressive features for their price. But which one truly reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo K3 Note edges out the A7000 Turbo thanks to its significantly better display contrast and exceptional battery life. While both share the same chipset, the K3 Note's superior screen and endurance make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 2100 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2016, January. Released 2016, January |
| 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 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) | Android 5 (Lollipop), Vibe UI 2 |
| 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/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, GLONASS | GPS |
| 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 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow | Matte Black |
| Models | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 180 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 K3 Note
- Excellent battery life (53h endurance)
- Superior display contrast (1793:1)
- Good value for money
- Decent camera performance
- Plastic build quality
- Performance can be sluggish with demanding apps
- Limited storage (expandable)
Lenovo A7000 Turbo
- Slightly more RAM (often 3GB)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Affordable price
- Inferior display contrast
- Shorter battery life compared to K3 Note
- Camera performance slightly behind K3 Note
Display Comparison
The Lenovo K3 Note boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1793:1, delivering noticeably richer colors and deeper blacks compared to the A7000 Turbo. While the A7000 Turbo's display is adequate, it lacks the visual pop and clarity of the K3 Note's screen. Both feature similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the contrast makes a significant difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both phones offer decent photo and video capabilities for their price range. The K3 Note's camera is generally considered slightly better in well-lit conditions, but low-light performance is comparable. Video recording quality is similar on both devices.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek MT6752 chipset and an Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. Performance will be largely similar in everyday tasks and light gaming. However, slight variations in RAM (K3 Note typically had 2GB, A7000 Turbo often 3GB) could impact multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The Lenovo K3 Note shines in battery life, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 53 hours. This is a significant advantage over the A7000 Turbo, which, while offering decent battery life, doesn't match the K3 Note's longevity. This makes the K3 Note a better choice for heavy users.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K3 Note is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and long battery life, perfect for media consumption and extended use. The Lenovo A7000 Turbo is a good option for those seeking a basic, reliable smartphone with a focus on core functionality, especially if display quality isn't a top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in RAM between the K3 Note and A7000 Turbo?
The Lenovo A7000 Turbo often came with 3GB of RAM, while the K3 Note typically had 2GB. This can affect multitasking performance.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos?
The Lenovo K3 Note is the better choice for watching videos due to its significantly superior display contrast, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience.
