Lenovo K5 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Lenovo K5 is a feature-packed smartphone that offers great value for money. With its sleek design and compact form factor, it is a pleasure to hold and use. The 5.7-inch IPS LCD display provides vibrant colors and sharp visuals, making it perfect for multimedia consumption. The device runs on Android 7.1 (Nougat) with ZUI Lite 3.1 for a smooth and intuitive user experience. Powered by the Mediatek MT6750V/CB chipset and octa-core CPU, it delivers reliable performance for daily tasks and multitasking. The dual rear camera setup captures detailed photos, while the 8 MP front camera is ideal for selfies. The Lenovo K5 also features a fingerprint sensor for added security and a 3000 mAh battery for all-day usage. With its affordable price of approximately 130 EUR, the Lenovo K5 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo K5 features a sleek and modern design that is both visually appealing and ergonomic. Its slim profile, measuring 153.8 x 72.7 x 7.8 mm, makes it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The device weighs a mere 160g, adding to its portability and ensuring a comfortable grip.

The K5's physical appearance is enhanced by its 5.7-inch IPS LCD display, which boasts a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. This screen-to-body ratio of approximately 75% provides an immersive viewing experience. The bezels surrounding the display are relatively narrow, further contributing to the phone's modern and premium look.

The device's construction and build quality are commendable, as it is crafted using high-quality materials. The back panel has a smooth texture, offering a comfortable feel in the hand. The finishing touches on the K5 are well-executed, giving it a polished and refined appearance.

In terms of durability, the Lenovo K5 is built to withstand daily wear and tear. The robustness and sturdiness of the device make it capable of enduring accidental drops and impacts. The buttons and controls on the phone are responsive and well-placed, ensuring ease of use.

Overall, the Lenovo K5 combines aesthetics, a sleek design, and premium look and feel. Its compact form factor, lightweight nature, and ergonomic design make it a portable and user-friendly device. The attention to detail in its construction, the choice of materials, and the fit and finish all contribute to its overall appeal.

Display

The Lenovo K5 features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The screen size is decent, providing a good balance between compactness and usability. The IPS LCD technology ensures accurate color reproduction and decent viewing angles. While the display resolution may not be the highest in its class, it still offers a pixel density of around 282 ppi, resulting in reasonably sharp visuals.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Lenovo K5 delivers satisfactory performance. The colors appear vibrant and lively, making multimedia content enjoyable to consume. The brightness levels are decent, ensuring good visibility even in outdoor conditions. However, the lack of specific information regarding brightness levels makes it difficult to assess its performance in different lighting conditions.

The display of the Lenovo K5 does not feature any specific display protection, such as Gorilla Glass. This might make it more susceptible to scratches and damage from accidental drops. It is recommended to use a screen protector to ensure its longevity.

The viewing angles of the Lenovo K5 are decent, allowing for comfortable viewing from different angles without significant color distortion. However, there is no specific information available regarding the presence of an anti-reflective coating, so it is unclear how well the display performs in reducing glare in bright environments.

Unfortunately, there is no mention of any additional features like HDR, wide color gamut, or adaptive brightness on the Lenovo K5's display. It also does not mention whether it has a notch design or slim bezels. The screen-to-body ratio is estimated to be around 75%, which indicates that there are noticeable bezels surrounding the screen.

Overall, the Lenovo K5's display seems to offer a satisfactory viewing experience with decent color reproduction, visibility, and viewing angles. However, the lack of specific information regarding certain features and display protection may be a drawback compared to other devices in its price range.

Performance

The Lenovo K5, released in April 2018, offers a decent performance for its price range. Powered by the Mediatek MT6750V/CB chipset and an octa-core processor consisting of Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz, the device provides satisfactory CPU performance. In benchmark tests, the Lenovo K5 achieved respectable scores, indicating its capability to handle everyday tasks and multitasking with ease. The processor efficiency ensures smooth user experience and lag-free performance during app loading and usage.

When it comes to gaming, the Lenovo K5's GPU, the Mali-T860MP2, delivers satisfactory graphics performance. The device is able to handle casual and moderately demanding games with ease. Although it may struggle with more graphically intensive games, it still provides a reasonable gaming experience. GPU benchmarks show decent scores, indicating the device's ability to handle most games without significant issues.

In terms of thermal management, the Lenovo K5 performs adequately. During extended gaming sessions or heavy app usage, the device manages heat reasonably well, preventing overheating and discomfort. This is a crucial aspect for maintaining consistent performance and avoiding thermal throttling.

The Lenovo K5 also benefits from system optimization and efficient resource management. The device's 3GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps without noticeable lag. The combination of the MediaTek chipset, CPU, and GPU ensures a balanced performance, providing a satisfactory user experience across various tasks.

In conclusion, the Lenovo K5 offers a decent performance for its price range. Its MediaTek chipset, octa-core processor, and Mali-T860MP2 GPU provide satisfactory CPU and GPU benchmarks, ensuring smooth multitasking and a reasonable gaming experience. While it may not excel in handling graphically intensive games, it performs well for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Additionally, the device's system optimization and thermal management contribute to a smooth and lag-free user experience. Overall, the Lenovo K5 is a reliable choice for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with decent performance capabilities.

Software and User Interface

The Lenovo K5 runs on the Android 7.1 (Nougat) operating system with ZUI Lite 3.1 customization. This version of Android provides a user-friendly interface with smooth navigation and intuitive controls. The ZUI Lite customization adds some additional features and tweaks to enhance the overall user experience.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Lenovo K5 comes with a standard set of applications that are commonly found on Android devices. These include essential apps such as phone, messaging, contacts, and settings. Additionally, there are some useful pre-installed apps like a file manager, calculator, and calendar.

While the Lenovo K5 does come with a few pre-installed apps, it does not have excessive bloatware that can slow down the device or clutter the user interface. This is a positive aspect for users who prefer a clean and uncluttered interface.

The operating system and customization on the Lenovo K5 provide a smooth and responsive user experience. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for users of all levels of expertise. The inclusion of ZUI Lite customization adds some useful features without overwhelming the user with unnecessary options.

Overall, the software on the Lenovo K5 offers a reliable and user-friendly experience. The Android 7.1 (Nougat) operating system, along with the ZUI Lite customization, provides a seamless interface and a range of essential apps. The absence of excessive bloatware ensures a clean and efficient user experience.

Camera

The Lenovo K5 is equipped with a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 13-megapixel primary camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and a 5-megapixel depth sensor with an aperture of f/2.2. This combination allows for capturing photos with decent detail and depth. The camera performs well in daylight photography, producing images with natural colors and good sharpness. It also offers HDR mode for enhancing dynamic range in high-contrast scenes.

When it comes to low-light performance, the Lenovo K5 delivers satisfactory results. The camera's low-light sensitivity enables it to capture usable shots in dimly lit environments. Additionally, the device incorporates noise reduction technology to minimize graininess in low-light conditions.

The camera features of the Lenovo K5 include portrait mode, which allows for capturing impressive bokeh effect shots, blurring the background for a professional-looking portrait. The phone's AI scene recognition feature can automatically detect different scenes and adjust the camera settings accordingly, enhancing image quality.

In terms of video recording, the Lenovo K5 can shoot videos at a maximum resolution of 720p at 30fps. While it doesn't support 4K video recording, it does offer video stabilization to reduce shakiness in videos. Slow-motion video and time-lapse modes are also available, adding creativity to your videos. The device supports various video formats, ensuring compatibility with different platforms.

Overall, the camera of the Lenovo K5 offers a satisfactory photography experience, especially in well-lit conditions. While it may not excel in low-light photography or offer advanced video recording capabilities like 4K, it provides a decent range of features for capturing everyday moments.

Battery Life

The Lenovo K5 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life for everyday use. The battery capacity is sufficient to last through a typical day of moderate usage, including web browsing, social media, and multimedia consumption. However, heavy users may find the need to recharge the device before the day ends. The device does not support fast charging technology, which means it may take some time to fully charge the battery. The absence of wireless charging options is also worth noting. While the battery performance is satisfactory, power efficiency and optimization features could have been more robust to enhance battery longevity. Users can utilize the battery saver and management features to optimize battery usage and prolong battery endurance. Standby time is respectable, but screen-on time may vary depending on usage patterns. Overall, the battery of the Lenovo K5 provides adequate backup for daily tasks but may require more frequent charging for heavy usage.

Connectivity and Networking

The Lenovo K5 offers a variety of connectivity options to ensure seamless communication and data transfer. With its network compatibility, the device supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE, allowing users to enjoy fast and reliable internet connections. The device is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, enabling users to connect to various Wi-Fi networks and enjoy high-speed internet browsing. Bluetooth 4.0 is also available, allowing users to connect wirelessly to other devices and transfer files effortlessly. The K5 does not have NFC capabilities, so contactless payments and data transfer are not supported. The device features a microUSB 2.0 port, which provides convenient connectivity for charging and data transfer. Additionally, the K5 supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously for increased convenience. GPS is also included, ensuring accurate navigation and location tracking. Overall, the Lenovo K5 offers a range of connectivity options to meet the needs of its users, allowing for seamless communication and data transfer.

Additional Features

• Standout features: The Lenovo K5 offers a range of standout features including a large 5.7-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. The device also boasts a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13 MP primary camera and a 5 MP depth sensor, allowing users to capture stunning photos with depth-of-field effects. Additionally, the K5 comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking.



• Water and dust resistance: Unfortunately, the Lenovo K5 does not have any water or dust resistance capabilities. It is not waterproof or dustproof, and it does not have an IP rating to indicate its level of protection against water and dust damage.



• Wireless charging: The Lenovo K5 does not support wireless charging. It requires a wired connection using the included microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.



• Additional sensors: In terms of sensors, the K5 is equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance the device's functionality and enable features like automatic screen rotation, proximity-based actions, and accurate navigation.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Lenovo K5 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent specifications and features. When comparing it to related gadgets in the market, it competes with devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Samsung Galaxy J6, and Huawei Y7 Prime.

In terms of specifications, the Lenovo K5 features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. While this may not be as sharp as some of its competitors, it still provides a decent viewing experience. The phone is powered by a Mediatek MT6750V/CB chipset and an octa-core processor, which is sufficient for day-to-day tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications.

When it comes to camera capabilities, the Lenovo K5 sports a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 13 MP main camera and a 5 MP depth sensor. While it may not offer the same level of camera performance as some of its competitors, it still manages to capture decent photos in good lighting conditions.

In terms of software, the Lenovo K5 runs on Android 7.1 Nougat with ZUI Lite 3.1. While it may not be the latest version of Android, it provides a smooth and user-friendly experience.

One area where the Lenovo K5 stands out is its pricing strategy. Priced at around 130 EUR, it offers good value for money compared to its competitors. However, it does face stiff competition in the budget smartphone segment, where other brands like Xiaomi and Samsung have a strong market presence.

In terms of performance, the Lenovo K5 may not be the most powerful device in its price range. It lacks some of the processing power and RAM that its competitors offer. However, for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming, it should be sufficient.

Overall, the Lenovo K5 competes well with other budget smartphones in the market. While it may not offer the most powerful specifications or the latest features, it provides a decent user experience and good value for money.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lenovo K5 offers a decent package of features at an affordable price point. With its stylish design and compact form factor, it is comfortable to hold and use. The 5.7-inch IPS LCD display provides good visual quality, although the resolution could be higher. The performance is satisfactory for everyday tasks, thanks to the octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM. The camera setup, though not exceptional, captures decent photos and videos. The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor adds a layer of security. However, the outdated Android 7.1 (Nougat) and lack of NFC might be drawbacks for some users. Overall, the Lenovo K5 is a suitable choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable and affordable smartphone.