The YU Yureka and Lenovo K3 Note were popular budget smartphones that offered impressive features for their price. Both devices aimed to deliver a solid Android experience, but which one ultimately came out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo K3 Note edges out the YU Yureka thanks to its exceptional battery life and slightly more refined software experience. While the Yureka offered a competitive chipset, the K3 Note's endurance and overall value make it the preferred choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 40 | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, TD-LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 2100 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, January. Released 2015, January | 2015, March. Released 2015, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 154.8 x 78 x 6 - 8.8 mm | 152.6 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.01 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | Cyanogen 12.1 | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Mali-T760MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 5.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 210 h | Up to 750 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 36 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonstone Grey | Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow |
| Models | AO5510 | K50a40, K50-t5, K50-t3s |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 53h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1793:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 984Basemark X: 5656 |
YU Yureka
- Slightly better gaming performance
- More customizable Android experience
- Competitive chipset for the price
- Weaker battery life
- Average camera performance
- Software updates were inconsistent
Lenovo K3 Note
- Exceptional battery life
- Reliable camera
- Smoother user experience
- Good value for money
- Slightly less powerful chipset for gaming
- Design could be considered bland
Display Comparison
Both phones featured a 5.5-inch 720p display with a contrast ratio of 1793:1. While the resolution wasn't the highest, the contrast ratio indicated decent image quality. Viewing angles and color accuracy were comparable, with neither phone excelling in this area but providing acceptable performance for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance was fairly similar on both devices. Both featured standard camera setups for their time, capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance was a weakness for both, with noticeable noise and a lack of detail. Video recording was adequate, but not exceptional.
Performance
The YU Yureka boasted a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, known for its slightly better gaming performance compared to the Mediatek MT6752 in the Lenovo K3 Note. However, in real-world usage, the difference was often negligible. Both phones handled everyday tasks smoothly, but the Yureka might show a slight edge in demanding games.
Battery Life
This is where the Lenovo K3 Note truly shines. Its endurance rating of 53 hours significantly surpasses what the YU Yureka offered. The K3 Note's superior battery life made it a clear winner for users who needed a phone that could last through a full day of heavy use and beyond.
Buying Guide
The YU Yureka is a good choice for users prioritizing raw processing power and a slightly more customizable Android experience. The Lenovo K3 Note is ideal for those who value long battery life, a reliable camera, and a generally smoother user experience, especially if you prioritize longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The YU Yureka has a slight edge in gaming due to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, but the difference is often minimal.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Lenovo K3 Note has significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 53 hours compared to the YU Yureka's lower rating.
❓ Are software updates readily available for both phones?
Software updates were inconsistent for both devices, but the YU Yureka's updates were particularly sporadic.
