Lenovo's K series offered compelling budget smartphones, and the K3 Note and Vibe K4 Note were popular choices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone is the better buy.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note edges out the K3 Note thanks to significantly improved battery life and a brighter display. While both offer solid value, the K4 Note's enhancements make it the more appealing option for most users, especially those prioritizing longevity and outdoor visibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - A7010 |
| 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 05. Released 2016, January 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 153.6 x 76.5 x 9.2 mm (6.05 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6753 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Mali-T720MP3 |
| OS | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM (A7010 a48), 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 750 h (3G) | Up to 265 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 36 h (3G) | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow | Black |
| Models | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s | A7010a48 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) |
| 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 contrast ratio
- Affordable price
- Shorter battery life
- Less bright display
- Potentially slower performance
Lenovo Vibe K4 Note
- Longer battery life
- Better sunlight readability
- Slightly better performance
- Dolby Atmos audio (general knowledge)
- Lower contrast ratio compared to K3 Note
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
The K3 Note boasts an impressive contrast ratio of 1793:1, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the Vibe K4 Note improves upon this with a lower contrast ratio of 940:1 but crucially, a significantly better sunlight readability score of 2.254. This means the K4 Note's screen is much easier to see outdoors, a major advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, based on general knowledge, both phones feature standard camera setups for their price range. Image quality will likely be comparable, with both capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be a weakness for both.
Performance
Both phones utilize an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor, but the Vibe K4 Note features the slightly more powerful Mediatek MT6753 chipset. While the clock speed is lower (1.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz), the MT6753 generally offers better overall performance and efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the K4 Note.
Battery Life
This is where the Vibe K4 Note truly shines. It boasts an endurance rating of 73 hours, a substantial improvement over the K3 Note's 53 hours. This translates to significantly longer battery life, allowing you to go longer between charges.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K3 Note is a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize a high contrast display and don't mind shorter battery life. The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note is ideal for users who need all-day battery life, appreciate a brighter screen for outdoor use, and want slightly better performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo K4 Note worth the extra money over the K3 Note?
Yes, the improved battery life and brighter display of the K4 Note generally justify the slightly higher price, especially if you frequently use your phone outdoors or need all-day battery.
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note has a slightly better chipset (MT6753) which generally translates to smoother performance and better efficiency, although both phones are budget devices.
