The Lenovo P70 and Huawei Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition were popular budget-friendly Android phones. Both offered compelling features for their time, but significant differences exist. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which one was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Ascend P7 generally edges out the Lenovo P70 thanks to its slightly faster processor and better display. However, the P70's massive battery life is a significant advantage. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: performance or endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20 - Data only, no voice | LTE |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, January. Released 2015, February | 2014, August. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 142 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.59 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 139.8 x 68.8 x 6.5 mm (5.50 x 2.71 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 124 g (4.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Kirin 910T (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Mali-450MP4 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), EMUI 2.3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 816 h (2G) / Up to 696 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 46 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue | Black, white, pink |
| Models | P70-A | - |
| Price | About 240 EUR | - |
Lenovo P70
- Exceptional battery life
- Large display
- Affordable price
- Lower resolution display
- Slower performance
- Less refined design
Huawei Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition
- Sharper display
- Better performance
- More premium design
- Shorter battery life
- Can feel slightly dated now
- Potentially less software support
Display Comparison
The Huawei Ascend P7 boasts a 5-inch 1080p display, offering a sharper and more vibrant visual experience compared to the P70's 5.5-inch 720p display. While the P70's larger screen provides more real estate, the Ascend P7's higher resolution makes a noticeable difference in image clarity and text rendering.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Ascend P7 typically delivers better image quality thanks to Huawei's image processing and a potentially better sensor. While both phones have 8MP rear cameras, the Ascend P7 often produces more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is generally better on the Ascend P7.
Performance
The Huawei Ascend P7's Kirin 910T with a quad-core Cortex-A9 processor generally outperforms the Lenovo P70's Octa-core Cortex-A53. While both are 28nm chips, the Ascend P7's architecture and optimization provided a snappier feel in everyday use and multitasking. The P70's octa-core setup doesn't translate to a significant real-world performance boost.
Battery Life
The Lenovo P70 shines in this category. Its massive 4000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life than the Huawei Ascend P7's 2420mAh battery. Users can expect a full day or even two of moderate use on the P70, while the Ascend P7 requires more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo P70 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and basic functionality. The Huawei Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition is a better choice for those seeking a smoother user experience and a more vibrant display, even if it means sacrificing some battery capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Huawei Ascend P7 is generally better for gaming due to its faster processor and smoother performance. However, both phones are limited by their older hardware.
❓ Is the Lenovo P70 still worth buying?
If you prioritize battery life above all else and can find one at a very low price, the P70 can still be a decent option. However, newer budget phones offer significantly better performance and features.
