Specifications:
- Dimesions: 153.6 x 76.5 x 9.2 mm
- Weight: 158 g
- Display: 5.5-inch IPS LCD, 1080 x 1920 resolution, 401 ppi
- Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Processor: MediaTek MT6753 octa-core 1.3 GHz
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage: 16 GB, expandable up to 128 via microSD
- Connectivity: Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
- Battery: 3300 mAh
What’s Hot:
- TheaterMax feature; bundled with VR headset
- Responsive fingerprint sensor
- Light, yet solid in the hand
What’s Not:
- Flimsy back cover
- Camera output could be better
Lenovo takes entertainment to a whole new level with TheaterMax built right into the Vibe K4 Note. Is this just a plain gimmick to call attention in the though mid-range competition or is it a revolutionary game-changer, read on.
Design: (3.5/5)
The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, unlike its higher-end sibling, X3, flaunts an all-plastic form-factor. This, however, doesn’t make it less good-looking. What this contributed is an overall light smartphone that does give off a sense of firmness in the hand. There is also a shift in terms of design. Instead of a phone that feels and looks flat, Lenovo crafted the K4 Note with curves to further enhance its dexterity.
Right on the front of the K4 Note are common features, along with its 5.5-inch full-HD IPS display, such as a front snapper and three capacitive control buttons. What makes it a bit different from competitors are two speaker grilles–top and bottom—upfront, which are nice additions to what would have been just a bland-looking handset. The edges are in chrome and seat the volume rocker, power/lock button, micro-USB port, and audio jack in its rightful positions. On its rear are the camera and flash, fingerprint sensor, and faint Lenovo and Dolby Atmos logo elsewhere.
Hardware: (4/5)
Popping off the back panel, which has a nice velvety-matte finish to it, will reveal two micro SIM slots flanked on either side of the camera and fingerprint scanner. Meanwhile, just right below is the battery but with sealed with a sticker that says “Don’t remove,” which basically means it isn’t user-replaceable.
The K4 Note is powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor that clocks at 1.3GHz and is paired with 3 GBs of RAM, which is quite a powerful combination for a mid-range smartphone. This allows seamless multi-tasking and a performance sure not to disappoint. There’s also 16 GB of on board storage you can fill with your movies, games, and whatnot. And if that’s not enough for you, you can expand it up to 128 GB with the help of a memory card.
Added to the loot is the TheaterMax function that works best with the ANTVR headset bundled to it. We’ll get on to that in a bit. As for the snappers, you have a 13MP main camera with a dual-tone LED flash and is complemented by a simple-to-use app. Photos taken with the rear camera come out nice and sharp with much emphasis on details, given ample light. Contrast is also good, but if I were to point out a flaw it would have to be with the lack of punch in colors. If you zoom in closely, segments in the image appear white-washed. As for the 5 MP front snapper, you get okay photos that are above par for selfies. Also, the cameras are capable of recording videos at 1080p.
User Experience: (3.5/5)
The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note runs Android 5.1 which is smoothly interlaced with the company’s Vibe UI. If you’ve been reading our Lenovo phone reviews in the past, it’s pretty much the same efficient experience. What’s new this time is TheaterMax, Lenovo’s VR technology that enables the phone to turn any video into augmented reality with just a firm push of a button.
How does it work? Once you’ve selected a movie you want to watch, press down the power/lock button until a list of option appears, select VR mode, slip your phone right into the bundled ANTVR headset, and be sucked into an awesome entertainment experience right then and there. What TheaterMax does with the video is it splits it in half, giving you a split-screen which the VR headset would turn into an immersive viewing experience. Pair this with this its built-in Dolby Audio technology and you’d likely wouldn’t even bother to leave home. The experience itself is quite okay as I’m not new to the whole virtual reality thing. I’m not sure if it’s just me or if there was something missing in the equation. It might have something to do with the ANTVR headset cause I found myself closing the sides with my hands when I tested it. But don’t get the wrong idea, it is still a great combination.
Value: (4/5)
For only 10,990, you’d get a phone bundled with a VR headset, efficient fingerprint scanner, stunning 5.5-inch screen, powerful processor, and an excellent software that ties all these together to make a value-for-money entertainment device.
Bottomline:
New to virtual reality? Let the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note indulge you in all its addicting goodness.