Money doesn’t grow on trees. If it did, I’d be sleeping in a bed made out of flagship phones, eating out of a flagship phone plate, and driving to work in a flagship phone-covered car. Though some people can certainly afford to do those things, most of us can’t. Luckily, technology has progressed to the point that the most important specs people look for—powerful processors, quality cameras, fast data, and long lasting battery—are now available at unbelievably low prices. The Lenovo A7000 is one example of this milestone, but does it please or is it just a hype monkey? We put it to the test.
Specifications:
Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Physical Dimensions: 152.6 x 76.2 x 7.99mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 140g
Processor: 1.5GHz octa-core Mediatek MT6752m
GPU: Mali-760 MP2 GPU
Display: 5.5-inch HD IPS, 1280 x 720 pixels, 5-point multitouch
Cameras: 8MP rear camera with LED flash; 5MP front camera
Internal Memory: 2GB RAM, 8GB expandable storage
Battery: Removable 2900mAh Li-Po
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, dual micro-SIM with LTE
Price: PHP 7,390 (Available through Lazada)
Design: 4/5
Our review unit came in an onyx black finish (a pearl white option is also available) and let me tell you, it looks really beautiful. It’s easily one of the best lookers among the phones in the same price point and if you didn’t know any better, you’d mistake it for a PHP 10,000+ mobile. Though you can pop off the back to gain access to the battery, micro-SIM slots, and microSD slot, the unibody design enables the device to look seamless and premium.
The A7000 is minimalist and its body is made out of polycarbonate with the exception of the glass front. The black is sleek, disturbed only by the Lenovo marque, corner-positioned rear camera with LED flash, microphone pinhole, and inconspicuous speaker grille. On its right edge is the volume rocker and power button, while up top is the microUSB port and headset jack. The left edge is devoid of features.
On the front is the sizable 5.5-inch display surrounded by fairly thin bezels. Below are the app switcher, home, and back capacitive keys; and above it are the proximity sensor, call speaker grille, front facing camera, and LED notification light.
Hardware: 4.5/5
During the past two to three years, quad-core processors dominated the mid-range market, and decent octa-cores only existed for those who could afford them. All of a sudden, eight core devices paired with other impressive specs are taking the spotlight, and consumers now have a myriad of smartphones to choose from.
The A7000 makes a strong case for why it should be your next purchase. On top of the 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek processor, Mali-760 MP2 GPU, 2GB RAM, 2900mAh battery, and 8MP and 5MP snappers, you have an unyielding build that feels nice in the hand. It doesn’t creak at all and its outer shell seems reinforced, two good signs of a device that’s well put together.
User Experience: 4.5/5
If you’re transitioning from a lower-end phone, then the A7000 will blow you away. It’s easily a lightning-quick performer, and you have to stack some CPU- and GPU-intensive tasks to see any sign of slowdown.
It scored above 40,000 in Antutu Benchmark and lasted more than 7 hours in PC Mark’s standard battery test. Though performance is great, you’d have to remove/ disable some preinstalled bloatware if you want to squeeze every last ounce of power out of the A7000.
The main draw of the A7000 is its Dolby Atmos audio technology which makes audio engaging, whether from your music tracks or videos. You will need a decent pair of cans to really appreciate the added oomph though, as the included headset in the package is your run of the mill obligatory add-on, and the phone’s built-in speakers are a little on the soft side.
Still, the A7000 manages to provide a surprisingly pleasing multimedia experience (provided you’re using audio peripherals). The screen is vibrant, and the bezels are thin enough as to not distract from all the action going on. Outputs are sharp and colorful, and you shouldn’t notice any unsightly pixels if what you’re viewing is at least in HD resolution.
However, the device isn’t perfect. The main camera struggles at times in locking focus on subjects. It also had a hard time capturing colors in scenes with different lighting levels. I can’t really fault the A7000 for that, though; it isn’t marketed as one for the shutterbugs after all.
Value: 4.5/5
Available through Lazada for PHP 7,390, the A7000 certainly brings you your money’s worth. Not only do you have a pocket rocket with beefy specs, you also get a portable multimedia player with a gorgeous display and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. Though there are some cheaper alternatives with almost the same innards, Lenovo’s bang for the buck offering is solidly built, and I’d be more than happy to shell out a couple hundred bucks more for a phone that won’t easily snap in half.
What’s Hot:
- A steal for the price
- Dolby Atmos plus huge screen plus long-lasting battery equals hours of multimedia fun
What’s Not:
- Lenovo’s custom UI is a bit rigid
- Camera quality is so-so
Bottomline:
- Here’s your next octa-core.
