Lenovo's Vibe series offered compelling mid-range options, but the X3 and K4 Note presented distinct choices. This comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone best suits your needs. Let's break down these two contenders.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Vibe X3 edges out the K4 Note thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 808 chipset, resulting in smoother performance and better gaming. However, the K4 Note boasts exceptional battery life and a surprisingly good display for its price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious 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 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - A7010 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, November. Released 2015, December | 2016, January 05. Released 2016, January 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm (6.06 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) | 153.6 x 76.5 x 9.2 mm (6.05 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Mediatek MT6753 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Mali-T720MP3 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM (A7010 a48), 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 (market dependent) | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 618 h (3G) | Up to 265 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h (3G) | Up to 23 h (2G) / Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black |
| Models | X3a40, X3c50 | A7010a48 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) |
Lenovo Vibe X3
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 808)
- Faster App Loading
- Better Gaming Experience
- Sleek Design (typically)
- Shorter Battery Life compared to K4 Note
- Potentially Higher Price (when new)
- May lack some of the K4 Note's features
Lenovo Vibe K4 Note
- Exceptional Battery Life (73h Endurance)
- Excellent Sunlight Readability
- Budget-Friendly Price
- Good Value for Money
- Lower Performance (MT6753)
- Slower App Loading
- Less Powerful for Gaming
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
The Vibe K4 Note's display shines with a remarkable 940:1 contrast ratio and impressive 2.254 sunlight readability, making it a winner in outdoor visibility. While the X3 had a decent display, it lacked the K4 Note's exceptional outdoor performance. Both phones likely featured similar resolutions (likely 1080p) and sizes (around 5.5 inches), but the K4 Note's contrast gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is subjective and often depends on software optimization. Both phones featured standard camera setups for their time. The X3 likely had slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset, but the K4 Note's camera was still capable of producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities were likely comparable.
Performance
Here, the Vibe X3 takes a commanding lead. The Snapdragon 808 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the MT6753. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the X3. The K4 Note's Octa-core processor is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Vibe K4 Note's legendary 73-hour endurance rating is a major selling point. This is significantly better than the Vibe X3, which, while offering respectable battery life, couldn't match the K4 Note's longevity. This makes the K4 Note a clear winner for users who prioritize all-day (and then some) battery life.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Vibe X3 is ideal for users prioritizing performance, particularly those who enjoy gaming or multitasking. The Vibe K4 Note is a great choice for those seeking long battery life, a decent display, and a budget-friendly option for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Vibe X3 worth buying now?
If you can find one at a good price and prioritize performance, the X3 can still be a decent option. However, consider newer, more affordable phones with similar or better specs.
❓ What is the biggest difference between the Vibe X3 and K4 Note?
The biggest difference is performance. The Vibe X3 has a significantly more powerful processor, while the K4 Note excels in battery life and display visibility in sunlight.
