The Lenovo K7 and Motorola Moto G5 Plus represent a fascinating intersection of budget smartphone design. Released in different eras, they both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, their approaches to achieving this differed significantly, particularly in their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone offers the better overall value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto G5 Plus emerges as the superior choice. While the Lenovo K7 boasts an octa-core CPU, the Moto G5 Plus’s Snapdragon 625, built on a smaller 14nm process, delivers a more efficient and consistently smoother experience, especially in sustained workloads. The 15W charging is also a significant advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - XT1687 (USA) |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66 - XT1687 (USA) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 13 | 2017, February. Released 2017, April |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 150.2 x 74 x 7.7 mm (5.91 x 2.91 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 0 (5.68 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 92.6 cm2 | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, dual pixel PDAF |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (USA model only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Lunar Grey, Fine Gold |
| Models | - | XT1685, XT1687, XT1684, XT1686 |
| Price | - | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.09 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) 1.24 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4255 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo K7
- Potentially lower purchase price (depending on current deals)
- Octa-core CPU (marketing appeal)
- May have more recent software updates (depending on Lenovo's support)
- Less efficient Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Likely lower sustained performance due to thermal throttling
- Unspecified battery capacity and likely slower charging
Motorola Moto G5 Plus
- Efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset
- Better sustained performance and thermal management
- 15W fast charging
- Older device (may have limited software support)
- May be harder to find new
- Display technology is dated
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for display excellence. Specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the K7, but given its market segment, it likely features a 720p IPS LCD. The Moto G5 Plus also uses an IPS LCD, but its focus was on color accuracy and viewing angles within its price bracket. The lack of information on the K7’s PWM dimming rate raises concerns for users sensitive to flicker, while the G5 Plus’s display, while not exceptional, offered a reliable visual experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of their respective release windows.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices was never a standout feature. The Moto G5 Plus featured a 13MP main sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Lenovo K7’s camera specifications are less clear, but it likely features a similar resolution sensor. Image processing on the G5 Plus was generally more refined, producing more natural-looking photos. Both phones likely struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices adds little practical value.
Performance
This is where the core difference lies. The Motorola Moto G5 Plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (14nm) utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. This chipset is renowned for its efficiency and sustained performance. The Lenovo K7, conversely, employs the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) with a split core configuration: four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. While the K7 has more cores, the older 28nm process and the less efficient Cortex-A55 architecture result in lower single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 625. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 625 translates to significantly better thermal management, preventing throttling during prolonged use. This means the G5 Plus will maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, providing a smoother user experience.
Battery Life
The Moto G5 Plus packs a 3000 mAh battery, while the Lenovo K7’s battery capacity is unspecified. However, the Snapdragon 625’s superior power efficiency gives the G5 Plus a significant advantage in real-world battery life. Furthermore, the G5 Plus supports 15W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the K7, which likely has a slower charging rate. The combination of efficient hardware and faster charging makes the G5 Plus the clear winner in this category.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K7 if you prioritize a newer device and potentially lower upfront cost, understanding that performance may be inconsistent. Buy the Motorola Moto G5 Plus if you value consistent performance, better power efficiency, and faster charging, even if it means opting for a slightly older model. The G5 Plus is ideal for users who frequently multitask or play mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lenovo K7 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the K7 can *launch* PUBG Mobile, the Unisoc SC9863A’s limited processing power and tendency to throttle will result in a choppy and frustrating gaming experience. The Moto G5 Plus, with its Snapdragon 625, will provide a significantly smoother and more playable experience, even on medium settings.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 625 in the Moto G5 Plus compare to newer Snapdragon chipsets?
The Snapdragon 625 is an older chipset, but its strength lies in its efficiency. While newer Snapdragon chips offer higher peak performance, they often consume more power and generate more heat. The 625 remains a viable option for everyday tasks and light gaming, offering a good balance of performance and battery life.
❓ Is the Lenovo K7 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for social media and browsing?
For basic tasks like social media and web browsing, the Lenovo K7 will function adequately. However, the Moto G5 Plus will provide a snappier and more responsive experience, even in these scenarios, due to its more efficient processor. The K7 may exhibit noticeable lag when multitasking or loading complex web pages.
