The Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini was a compelling budget option when it launched, offering a surprising feature set. Now, let's pit it against the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, a more modern flagship with 5G connectivity. Can the ZUK Z1 mini still compete, or is the S20 FE 5G in a league of its own?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is the clear winner. Its superior processor, 5G connectivity, better camera, and brighter display offer a vastly improved experience. While the ZUK Z1 mini was a good budget phone in its time, it's simply outmatched by the S20 FE 5G's modern features and performance.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 71 Sub6 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 Sub6 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2016, Q1 | 2020, September 23 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Yes | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTTP / WAP 2.0 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 300 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | - | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, Cloud White, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange |
| Models | - | SM-G781B, SM-G781B/DS, SM-G781U, SM-G781U1, SM-G781W, SM-G7810, SM-G781N, SM-G781V |
| Price | - | $ 137.00 / C$ 531.23 / £ 169.00 / € 199.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 361.99 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 589.97 |
| 256GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 769.99 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 110h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.3 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 543986 (v8)
GeekBench: 3296 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 110h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | 822 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 543986 (v8)
GeekBench: 3296 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini
- Very affordable
- Compact size
- Decent battery life (for its time)
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- No 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
- Flagship processor (Snapdragon 865 5G)
- 5G connectivity
- Excellent camera
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast charging
- Can be pricier depending on configuration
- Plastic build (compared to premium glass/metal)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display (822 nits vs. likely around 350-400 nits for the ZUK Z1 mini) and a superior contrast ratio (Infinite vs. likely standard). The S20 FE 5G's display is also larger and likely sharper, offering a much more immersive viewing experience. The ZUK Z1 mini's display is adequate for basic use but lacks the vibrancy and clarity of the S20 FE 5G.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G's camera system is far superior. It offers better image quality, more features, and improved low-light performance. The ZUK Z1 mini's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but struggles in challenging conditions.
Performance
The Snapdragon 865 5G in the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is a powerhouse compared to the Mediatek Helio P10 in the ZUK Z1 mini. The S20 FE 5G's CPU and GPU offer significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The ZUK Z1 mini can feel sluggish, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive endurance ratings (110h). However, the S20 FE 5G's larger battery capacity and more efficient processor likely contribute to slightly better real-world battery life, especially with 5G usage. The S20 FE 5G also supports faster charging (25W wired, 15W wireless) and reverse wireless charging.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo ZUK Z1 mini is for those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget Android phone, primarily for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is for users who want a flagship-level experience with 5G, a great camera, and a vibrant display, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZUK Z1 mini still worth buying?
Unless you're on an extremely tight budget and only need basic functionality, the ZUK Z1 mini is outdated. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G offers significantly better value for money.
❓ What is the difference between the processors?
The Snapdragon 865 5G in the S20 FE 5G is a much more powerful and modern processor than the Mediatek Helio P10 in the ZUK Z1 mini. This translates to faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
