Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Lenovo K3 Note and Samsung Galaxy J4 Core are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo K3 Note edges out the Galaxy J4 Core thanks to its significantly better battery life and impressive contrast ratio on its display. While the J4 Core benefits from the Samsung brand and potentially more consistent software updates, the K3 Note provides a more compelling overall experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - J410F/DS |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - J410F/DS |
| Speed | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 2100 - India | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - J410G/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2018, November. Released 2018, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 160.6 x 76.1 x 7.9 mm (6.32 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~74.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 750 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 36 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow | Black, Gold, Blue |
| Models | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s | SM-J410D, SM-J410F, SM-J410G |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.65 W/kg (head) 0.37 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| 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
- Exceptional Battery Life (53h)
- High Contrast Ratio Display
- Octa-Core Processor
- Potentially Older Software Updates
- Camera Performance is Basic
Samsung Galaxy J4 Core
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Potentially Smoother Software Experience
- Compact Size
- Weaker Processor
- Shorter Battery Life
- Less Vibrant Display
Display Comparison
The Lenovo K3 Note boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1793:1, suggesting deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the J4 Core. While the J4 Core's display is adequate, it lacks the visual punch of the K3 Note. Resolution and size are likely similar, but the contrast makes a noticeable difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are limited, but both phones offer basic photo and video capabilities. Image quality will likely be comparable, with both struggling in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing might offer slightly more pleasing results, but the K3 Note's hardware could potentially capture more detail.
Performance
The Lenovo K3 Note's Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 processor offers a theoretical performance advantage over the J4 Core's Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53. However, real-world performance depends on optimization. The J4 Core's Snapdragon 425 might offer slightly smoother performance in some scenarios due to better software integration, but the K3 Note should handle most everyday tasks adequately.
Battery Life
This is where the Lenovo K3 Note truly shines. Its endurance rating of 53 hours significantly surpasses the J4 Core's battery life (estimated around 20-25 hours based on the Snapdragon 425). The K3 Note offers exceptional battery longevity.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K3 Note is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a vibrant display, even if it means potentially older software. The Samsung Galaxy J4 Core is a good choice for those who value brand recognition and a more streamlined, albeit less powerful, experience, especially if software updates are a key concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Lenovo K3 Note's Octa-core processor *might* offer a slight edge, but both phones are best suited for casual games. Demanding titles will likely struggle on both devices.
❓ How often do these phones receive software updates?
Samsung generally provides more consistent software updates than Lenovo, particularly for older models. However, both phones are likely past their major update cycles.
