Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos are both contenders, offering a blend of affordability and functionality. But which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZUK Z1 mini boasts a significantly more powerful processor and more RAM, resulting in smoother performance. However, the Note 3 Neo Duos benefits from Samsung's established brand and potentially better software support. For raw power, the ZUK Z1 mini wins, but consider your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2016, Q1 | 2014, January. Released 2014, February |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 87 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | - | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black, White, Green |
| Models | - | SM-N7502 |
| Price | - | About 410 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini
- More powerful processor
- Clean Android experience
- Slightly better low-light camera performance
- Compact size
- Smaller battery
- Less established brand
- Potentially fewer software updates
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Samsung's One UI
- Larger battery capacity
- Established brand and support
- Slower processor
- Less RAM
- Older hardware
- Lower resolution front camera
Display Comparison
The Note 3 Neo Duos features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The ZUK Z1 mini has a smaller 5.0-inch IPS display. While the ZUK's display is sharp, the Note 3 Neo's AMOLED offers a more visually striking experience, especially for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The ZUK Z1 mini typically features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The Note 3 Neo Duos has a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally comparable, but the ZUK's camera might offer slightly better low-light performance due to its processor's image processing capabilities. Samsung's software often enhances colors.
Performance
Here's where the ZUK Z1 mini shines. Its Mediatek Helio P10 chipset with an octa-core processor and more RAM (2GB vs 1.5GB) provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Note 3 Neo's Snapdragon 400. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the ZUK.
Battery Life
The Note 3 Neo Duos has a larger 3000mAh battery compared to the ZUK Z1 mini's 2500mAh. While the ZUK's processor is more efficient, the Note 3 Neo's larger battery capacity often translates to slightly longer battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a clean Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos is a good choice for those who prefer Samsung's One UI and value brand recognition, even with slightly older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZUK Z1 mini still worth buying in [current year]?
While it's an older device, the ZUK Z1 mini's performance still holds up reasonably well for basic tasks. However, consider newer budget options with more modern features and software support.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software update support than Lenovo, especially for older devices. However, both phones are likely past their major update cycles.
