The Lenovo P70 and Xiaomi Mi 4i were popular budget smartphones offering impressive features for their price. Both devices focused on long battery life, but which one ultimately delivers a better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 4i edges out the Lenovo P70 thanks to its slightly better performance and more refined software experience. While the P70 boasts a massive battery, the Mi 4i's overall package makes it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20 - Data only, no voice | 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, January. Released 2015, February | 2015, April. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 142 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.59 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 138.1 x 69.6 x 7.8 mm (5.44 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning scratch-resistant 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 | Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP2 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), MIUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/1.8 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired, QC1 |
| Stand-by | Up to 816 h (2G) / Up to 696 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 46 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) | Up to 35 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3120 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue | Dark Gray, Black, White, Yellow, Blue, Pink |
| Models | P70-A | 2015015 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 67h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1055:1 (nominal), 2.641 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 63dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 4875 |
Lenovo P70
- Exceptional battery life
- Affordable price
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Durable build quality
- Mediocre performance
- Average camera quality
- Less refined software
- Larger and heavier design
Xiaomi Mi 4i
- Better performance than P70
- Improved camera quality
- Quick Charge support
- Sleeker design
- More refined MIUI software
- Shorter battery life than P70
- Non-removable battery
- Can experience software bugs (MIUI)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5-inch 720p display with a contrast ratio of 1055:1 (nominal) and 2.641 in sunlight. While the resolution is standard for the price point, the Mi 4i's display generally received slightly better reviews for color accuracy and viewing angles. The P70's display was considered adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 4i's camera is generally considered superior. While both offer decent photo and video capabilities, the Mi 4i captures more detailed images with better color reproduction. Low-light performance is also better on the Mi 4i. The P70's camera is adequate for casual snapshots but lacks the refinement of the Mi 4i.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 4i's Snapdragon 615 chipset with its big.LITTLE architecture (4x1.7 GHz & 4x1.0 GHz cores) generally outperforms the Lenovo P70's Mediatek MT6752. The Mi 4i handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The P70's performance is acceptable for basic tasks but can struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Lenovo P70's standout feature is its massive 4000mAh battery, which delivers exceptional battery life. It consistently achieved endurance ratings around 67 hours. The Xiaomi Mi 4i, while still offering good battery life, falls slightly short with a smaller battery capacity. However, the Mi 4i supports Quick Charge 1.0, offering faster charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo P70 is ideal for users prioritizing extreme battery life above all else. If you need a phone that can last for days on a single charge, the P70 is a strong contender. The Xiaomi Mi 4i is better suited for users who want a balance of performance, camera quality, and a smoother user experience, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo P70 still worth buying?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you're on a very tight budget, the P70 can still be a viable option. However, newer phones offer significantly better performance and features for a similar price.
❓ Which phone has better software?
The Xiaomi Mi 4i's MIUI software is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than the Lenovo P70's stock Android experience. However, MIUI can sometimes be buggy.
