Lenovo K8 Note Review: This Is Redmi Note 4’s Biggest Challenger

Lenovo K8 Note has been launched in India with a price tag of Rs 12,999 for the 3GB/32GB variant and Rs 13,999 for the 4GB/64GB variant. Even though Motorola has been offering stock Android for quite a while now, but Lenovo K8 Note is the first launch from the company offering stock Android experience.

While Lenovo K8 Note features some mid-end specifications, the dual rear camera setup and a 4000mAh battery have made it Moto G5 and Redmi Note 4’s biggest competitor in the mid-budget segment, especially in the sub-Rs 15,000 category. While the Redmi Note 4 and Moto G5 have been ruling the segment with their well-rounded package which majorly focuses on the performance benchmarks. However, when it comes to Lenovo K8 Note, this particular device has played it quite smart with a dual-camera setup that only a handful of segment leaders can boast about.

But the Sub-Rs 15,000 category is already a crowded one as we have witnessed a huge boost in mid-budget smartphones’ sales and Lenovo K8 Note is here to elevate the challenge for every big player looking to dominate this segment.

Lenovo K8 Note Specifications

• 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD display with 2.5D Curved glass, 178-degree wide-angle, 450 nits brightness, Oleophobic coating atop and Corning Gorilla Glass protection
• 64 bit 2.3GHz Deca-Core MediaTek Helio X23 SoC (2 x 2.3GHz Cortex-A72 + 4 x 1.85GHz Cortex-A53 + 4 x 1.4GHz Cortex-A53) coupled with Mali T880 MP4 GPU
• 3GB RAM and 32GB storage variant, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variants, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD
• Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Android O update coming soon)
• 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, dual-tone LED Flash, PureCel Plus sensor, PDAF and a secondary 5MP camera
• 13MP front-facing camera for selfies with f/2.0 aperture, wide-angle lens and LED flash
• 4000mAh built-in battery with Turbo Charging
• Fingerprint sensor at the rear
• Splash Resistant (P2i Nano Coating), ‘TheatreMax’ VR support and ‘Music Key’ to control music playback.
• 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio, Dolby Atmos, Dual SIM, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, USB OTG
• Dimensions: 154.5 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm; Weight: 180g
• Colors: Fine Gold and Venom Black.

What we like about Lenovo K8 Note

• The smartphone’s body is built out of 5000-series aluminum and polycarbonate which blends with the design perfectly.

• The 5.5-inch display offers great viewing angles and a good range of brightness levels. Visuals are sharp and crisp, while color resolution is up to the mark.

• A separate microSD card slot, so you won’t have to choose between a second SIM or expandable storage.

• The rear 13MP+5MP camera perfectly detects the depth of the image and is capable of creating ‘bokeh’ portrait effect. With camera modes like Panorama, HDR and Professional mode, users will never have enough of the dual camera setup. They offer good detail and dynamic range both outdoors as well as under low-lighting conditions.

• The front 13MP along with a dedicated LED flash and a Pro mode offers way better results than its competition.

• Stock Android is something that has been missing from the Lenovo-lineup and this alone could pace up Lenovo K8 Note’s sales. Google Assistant and multi-window mode will be available.

• 64 bit 2.3GHz Deca-Core MediaTek Helio X23 SoC coupled with Mali T880 MP4 GPU and ample RAM make Lenovo K8 Note one of the best performance oriented smartphones in this segment. Lags and frame drops will not be a topic of concern for the users.

• ‘TheatreMax’ VR support, ‘Music Key’ and Dolby Atmos makes Lenovo K8 Note a pure multimedia consumption smartphone.

What we don’t like about Lenovo K8 Note

• MediaTek chipsets are not well known for their power management as well as efficiency.

• Video recording is limited to 1080p resolution and lacks 4k.

• No USB-C port.

Verdict

Has Lenovo K8 Note strung the right chord in this already competitive segment? Well, it’s a definitive yes because what users expect in this category is a well-rounded package and Lenovo K8 Note is more than that.

It might not be the best-looking smartphone, but it appears to be a solid option as the dual cameras, pure Android experience and mediocre yet up-to-the-standard performance credentials have definitely made the Lenovo K8 Note a viable option for users looking for multimedia consumption with a reliable battery backup and uncompromised under-the-hood power.