Lenovo K3 Note Review: Affordable Mid-Range Smartphone

Lenovo K3 Note (2015)

Definition: The Lenovo K3 Note (model K50 – t5; also known as Lenovo A7000 Turbo in India) is a mid – range Android smartphone released by Lenovo in March 2015, under its LeMeng sub – brand. It targets budget – conscious consumers pursuing a large high – res display, powerful octa – core performance, and an enhanced audio experience, equipped with a MediaTek MT6752 chipset, a 5.5 – inch FHD IPS LCD screen, a 13 MP rear camera, and a 3000 mAh removable battery, and is notable for its competitive pricing and the special 天籁 (Tianlai) Edition with a ceramic resonance audio system.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	5.5 – inch IPS LCD, 1920×1080 resolution (401 PPI), 16:9 aspect ratio, ~71.7% screen – to – body ratio, 2.5D glass, 16.7M colors, multitouch, no high refresh rate
Processor & Chipset	MediaTek MT6752 (28 nm), octa – core 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex – A53, Mali – T760 MP2 GPU (700 MHz)
Memory & Storage	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM; 16 GB internal storage; microSDHC up to 32 GB (dedicated slot); dual Micro – SIM (dual standby)
Camera System	Rear Camera: 13 MP, f/2.0, AF, dual – LED flash, HDR, panorama; 1080p@30 fps videoFront Camera: 5 MP, f/2.4; 720p video recording
Battery & Charging	3000 mAh removable Li – Ion battery; 5V/2A charging; up to 36 h talk time (3G), up to 750 h standby time (3G)
Connectivity	4G LTE (FDD/LTE/TD – LTE), Wi – Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/A – GPS, FM radio, 3.5 mm headphone jack, micro – USB 2.0
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop, Vibe UI 2.5; upgradeable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow; no further major OS updates
Design & Durability	Plastic frame & back, 152.6×76.2×8 mm, 150 g; colors: Onyx Black, Pearl White, Laser Yellow; touch – sensitive capacitive keys; no IP rating
Unique Features	Tianlai Edition with ceramic resonance audio (phone + packaging as speaker chamber), dual – LED flash, removable battery, dual – SIM support

Key Selling Points & Advantages

Large FHD Display: The 5.5 – inch 1080p IPS LCD delivers sharp visuals and wide viewing angles, ideal for media consumption and gaming, which was a highlight in the mid – range segment in 2015.
Powerful Octa – core Performance: The MediaTek MT6752 chipset provides smooth multitasking and gaming performance, outperforming many rivals with quad – core processors at that time.
Enhanced Audio Experience: The Tianlai Edition offers an innovative ceramic resonance audio system, delivering richer and louder sound through the packaging as a resonance chamber, appealing to music lovers.
Removable Battery: The 3000 mAh removable battery allows users to easily replace it, extending the device’s lifespan and reducing charging anxiety.
Affordable Pricing: Launched at ~¥899 (~$140) for the standard version and ~¥999 (~$160) for the Tianlai Edition, offering flagship – level features at a budget – friendly price.

Limitations & Criticisms

Average Camera Performance: The 13 MP rear camera lacks OIS, resulting in unstable shots in low – light conditions, and the front – facing camera has limited resolution for high – quality selfies.
Outdated Connectivity: Wi – Fi only supports 2.4 GHz (802.11 b/g/n), without 5 GHz band support, and uses micro – USB instead of the more modern USB – C port.
Limited Software Support: Only one major OS upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, leading to the device becoming obsolete quickly with the lack of the latest security patches and features.
Mediocre Build Quality: The plastic body feels less premium compared to metal – framed rivals, and the device lacks water/dust resistance, making it vulnerable to damage from spills and dust.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: March 2015 (China), with subsequent releases in India and other emerging markets.
Pricing: Standard Edition at ~¥899 (~$140); Tianlai Edition at ~¥999 (~$160); ~€150 in European markets.
Sales & Reception: Achieved strong sales in China and India, praised for its display, performance, and audio features, but criticized for its camera and software support. It was one of Lenovo’s best – selling mid – range devices in 2015, helping to strengthen its position in the budget smartphone market.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2016, replaced by the Lenovo K4 Note with improved hardware and software.

Legacy

The Lenovo K3 Note was a significant mid – range device that showcased Lenovo’s ability to offer high – end features at an affordable price. Its large FHD display, octa – core processor, and audio – focused Tianlai Edition set a benchmark for mid – range smartphones in 2015, influencing subsequent budget devices to prioritize display quality and multimedia capabilities. It remains a nostalgic device for users who value its balanced performance and unique audio features.