Lenovo has consistently offered compelling budget smartphones. The K6 Note and K5 Pro were popular choices, but which one reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will analyze their key features to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo K5 Pro generally edges out the K6 Note thanks to its significantly faster processor and modern chipset. While the K6 Note boasts incredible battery life, the K5 Pro's improved performance and faster charging make it the more appealing option for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - LATAM | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, December | 2018, October. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 151 x 76 x 8.4 mm (5.94 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 156 x 75 x 8 mm (6.14 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
5 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 46 h (2G) / Up to 31 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Dark Grey | Black, Gold |
| Models | K53a48 | L38041 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise-92.7dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 91h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 65125 (nominal), 2.544 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 63dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB
| - |
| Performance |
GFXBench: 2.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise-92.7dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 91h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 65125 (nominal), 2.544 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 63dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB | - |
| Performance | GFXBench: 2.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Lenovo K6 Note
- Exceptional battery life (91h endurance)
- High contrast ratio (nominal)
- Affordable price
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 430)
- Lower performance compared to K5 Pro
- Sunlight readability could be improved
Lenovo K5 Pro
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 636)
- 18W fast charging
- Improved performance for gaming and multitasking
- Battery life not as impressive as K6 Note
- Potentially less bright display
Display Comparison
Both phones featured LCD displays, but the K5 Pro likely had a slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to its more modern panel. The K6 Note's contrast ratio is exceptionally high (65125 nominal), but the sunlight readability (2.544) suggests it struggles in bright conditions. The K5 Pro's display likely offered better outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed for both devices. However, the K5 Pro's newer chipset often translates to better image processing capabilities. Both likely offered decent photo and video quality for their price range, but the K5 Pro likely had a slight edge in low-light performance and dynamic range.
Performance
The K5 Pro's Snapdragon 636 is a clear winner here. Its Kryo 260 cores offer a substantial performance boost over the K6 Note's Snapdragon 430. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the K5 Pro. The K6 Note's 28nm process is less efficient than the K5 Pro's 14nm process, further contributing to the performance difference.
Battery Life
The K6 Note's endurance rating of 91 hours is truly remarkable. This is a significant advantage. The K5 Pro, while still offering good battery life, couldn't match the K6 Note's longevity. However, the K5 Pro's 18W fast charging partially compensates for this difference.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K6 Note is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life above all else and who don't require high-end performance. The Lenovo K5 Pro is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, faster experience for everyday tasks and gaming, and appreciate faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo K6 Note still worth buying?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you're on a very tight budget, the K6 Note can still be a viable option. However, newer phones offer better performance and features at a similar price point.
❓ What is the main difference between the K6 Note and K5 Pro?
The primary difference is the chipset. The K5 Pro's Snapdragon 636 provides significantly better performance than the K6 Note's Snapdragon 430.
