Lenovo S890: Affordable Dual-SIM Smartphone from 2013

Lenovo S890 (2013)

The Lenovo S890 is a 3G dual-SIM smartphone released in January 2013, featuring a 5.0-inch qHD IPS LCD, MediaTek MT6577T dual-core chipset, and removable 2250mAh battery. Targeting budget-conscious users needing dual-SIM flexibility and a large display, it competed with the Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos and Huawei Ascend G300 in the early-2013 mid-range segment.

Core Overview & Positioning

Attribute	Details
Launch Date	Released January 2013
Model Number	S890 (global variant)
Market Position	Mid-range 3G dual-SIM smartphone (phablet-adjacent)
Target Audience	Dual-SIM users, media consumers, budget buyers, emerging market users
Key Selling Points	5.0-inch qHD IPS LCD, dual-SIM dual-standby, 8MP rear camera, removable battery, microSD expansion
Launch Price (Global)	~€230 (~$300 unlocked, no contract)
Color Options	Black, Blue, White

Full Technical Specifications

Display

Type: 5.0-inch IPS LCD capacitive multi-touch (16M colors, 16:9 aspect ratio)
Resolution: 960×540 pixels (qHD, ~220 ppi)
Features: 5-point multi-touch, wide viewing angles, scratch-resistant glass
Protection: Scratch-resistant glass (non-Gorilla Glass)
Design: 9.3mm slim profile with curved edges for better grip

Performance & Software

Chipset: MediaTek MT6577T (40nm)
CPU: Dual-core 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A9
GPU: PowerVR SGX531 (525 MHz)
Memory: 1GB LPDDR2 RAM; 4GB internal eMMC storage (user-accessible: ~2.5GB)
Storage Expansion: microSDHC slot (supports up to 32GB cards, dedicated slot—no SIM 2 sacrifice)
OS: Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (upgradable to Android 4.2 via custom ROMs; no official Android 5.0+)
UI: Lenovo custom UI (lightweight skin with basic themes and power-saving tools)
Software Features:
- Google Mobile Services (GMS): Play Store, Gmail, Maps, YouTube
- Dual-SIM management (separate call/text/data settings for each SIM)
- Lenovo Super Camera 2.0 (enhanced shooting modes)
- FM radio with RDS support
- USB OTG support (external storage/accessories)

Camera System

Rear Camera

8MP sensor, f/2.4 aperture, autofocus (AF), LED flash
Photo Resolution: Up to 3264×2448 pixels
Video Recording: 720p HD @ 30fps (no OIS)
Features: HDR, panorama, face detection, digital zoom (up to 4x), Super Camera 2.0 modes联想

Front Camera

VGA (0.3MP) fixed-focus sensor
Video Recording: 480p VGA @ 30fps
Features: Basic video calling (via Google Hangouts/Skype)联想

Battery & Charging

Capacity: 2250 mAh removable Li-Ion battery
Charging: 5V/1A microUSB 2.0 (standard charging; no fast charging)
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours talk time (3G), up to 300 hours standby; ~5 hours screen-on time (media/browsing)
Power Saving: Lenovo Power Manager (limits background activity, extends standby)

Build & Design

Dimensions: 143×74.2×9.3 mm (5.63×2.92×0.37 in)
Weight: 176 g (6.2 oz)
Build: Plastic body with curved edges; matte finish for better grip
Form Factor: Candybar; physical home key + capacitive touch keys (menu/back)
Buttons & Ports: Volume rocker (side), power/lock key (side), 3.5mm headphone jack (top), microUSB 2.0 (bottom)
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, ambient light, compass

Connectivity

Feature	Specifications
Cellular	3G HSPA+ (21 Mbps downlink/5.76 Mbps uplink), 2G GSM; dual-SIM dual-standby (Mini-SIM ×2)
Bands	2G: GSM 900/1800/1900 (SIM 1 & 2); 3G: HSDPA 900/2100 (SIM 1 only)
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz only), Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot
Bluetooth	3.0 (A2DP for audio streaming)
Navigation	GPS, A-GPS
Other	3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, microUSB 2.0, no NFC

Core Features & User Experience Highlights

Dual-SIM Flexibility: Dual-SIM dual-standby (Mini-SIM ×2) with dedicated microSD slot—no storage sacrifice for SIM 2.
Large Display for 2013: 5.0-inch qHD IPS LCD with wide viewing angles, ideal for media consumption.
Removable Battery: 2250mAh Li-Ion battery can be replaced for extended device life (popular in emerging markets).
Camera for Daily Use: 8MP rear with LED flash delivers decent daylight shots; Super Camera 2.0 adds creative modes.
Expandable Storage: 4GB internal + microSD up to 32GB solves storage limitations for apps/photos/videos.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Dual-SIM dual-standby (Mini-SIM ×2)	No 4G LTE connectivity (3G only)
Removable 2250mAh battery (easy replacement)	qHD resolution (960×540) looks pixelated vs. HD flagships
Dedicated microSD slot (up to 32GB)	No Gorilla Glass protection (screen prone to scratches)
8MP rear camera with LED flash (decent daylight performance)	VGA front camera (low-quality selfies/video calls)
Lightweight (176g) and slim (9.3mm) for a 5.0-inch phone	Dual-core CPU struggles with high-end games
GMS support (full access to Google Play Store)	No NFC (no mobile payment support)

Target Markets & Use Cases

Dual-SIM Users: Professionals and travelers needing two numbers active simultaneously (e.g., personal/work or local/roaming).
Emerging Market Users: Popular in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for flexible connectivity and removable battery.
Media Consumers: Users who wanted a large screen for streaming, reading, and browsing without flagship costs.
Budget Buyers: Those prioritizing core features (dual-SIM, large display) over top-tier specs.
Battery Replacement Enthusiasts: Users who preferred removable batteries for extended device life or spare batteries.

Legacy & Market Impact

The Lenovo S890 helped Lenovo expand its mid-range presence in emerging markets, where dual-SIM and removable batteries were key selling points. It undercut Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Duos on price while offering similar display size and dual-SIM functionality, establishing Lenovo as a value-focused alternative.

The S890’s legacy lies in its focus on user-centric features (dual-SIM, microSD, removable battery) that addressed real-world needs in emerging markets, a strategy Lenovo refined in later models like the S850 and Vibe P1.