Introduction
Starting the smartphones in 2011, Lenovo has just three years managed to climb to third in the world in terms of sales. If you look at the global smartphone sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 (4Q2011), then Lenovo takes up only 1.1 percent of the market in the next year, 4Q2012 – share rose to 3.8 percent is already the market, and in the fourth quarter of 2013, 4Q2013 – was 4.6 percent. According to preliminary data, the first quarter of 2014 the share of Lenovo in the global smartphone sales rose to 7.5 percent. Of course, now here to take the devices Motorola, but sales growth and market share for the company can be seen in any way, and now, in fact, Lenovo shares third place with Huawei.
Company for three years, did what Microsoft and Nokia have not been able to carry out over a longer period with the project «Lumia / Windows Phone», while Lenovo started almost from scratch, whereas MS and Nokia were in the hands of thousands of patents and designs, ready platform and solutions. However, do not let the bad news, and will return to the Chinese manufacturer.
According to one version, Lenovo smartphones engaged in the moment when an aggressive offensive Samsung to all markets has become quite clear. Chinese manufacturers one by one prefer to intervene in the fight at least for the local market, instead of just watching and give it to the Koreans. Lenovo were the last of the large corporations, to intervene in this fight, the more interesting to observe the existing line of smartphones the company.
Producer still experimenting with formats, model lineup, their positioning and other things, but the main principle – a year masthead unit – the company has already learned. In 2013, it was a model of Lenovo K900 – ambiguous smartphone. By quality huge display and thin, though a large body of metal were attached unfinished at the time for the Android platform Intel Atom, not the best on the battery capacity, no memory card slot, and high model from unknown brand value. To its credit, Lenovo should be noted that very fast rates substantially reduced, thus being able to create a buzz around the device and even make him publicity in some markets, in Russia – exactly.Yes, the device is sold without profit, but on the Lenovo K900 learned a lot, but the company began to speak. I do not want to say that K900 was a major element in the development of the brand, but in some markets it is this model that is sold at a knockdown price for such characteristics, has made a significant contribution to the promotion of the brand.
In this review, I want to tell you in the development of the line smartphone Lenovo K920. The official name of the device – Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro, but in my opinion, K920 sounds better. The new model is an evolution of the ideas embodied in the K900 is a series of devices – the flagship company. In the first part we will talk about all the features of a smartphone, except the camera about it in a separate article.Here we go.
Design, materials, housing
Like the Lenovo K900, the new smartphone is made of metal (aluminum) and has the same strict, angular form. The use of polished metal texture on the “back” of other smartphone releases – it looks unusual. Words to describe the material is difficult, I suggest just look at the image
Shape of the body can be called a classic and a reference, no curves and bevels, except neat transition side, left and right sides of the rear surface of the device. This bevel allows a little more comfortable to hold the device in their hands.
The face of the smartphone looks: protective glass covers the entire surface, and marking keys are not visible until you turn on the screen, so off it’s just a black canvas.
Impression of rigor and conciseness front panel ports only “chetyrezhe” in the upper right corner (4G), which, fortunately, in the final version of the device will not. On the back, by the way, large inscription VIBE in the vehicle, which goes on sale, too, will not.
Main feature of design in Lenovo K920 – the area around the main camera. Firstly, the very eye of the camera is bordered by a square frame made of red plastic, secondly, around the camera – insertion of glossy plastic “under the metal.” The decision is not so much decorative as necessary to accommodate the antennas. It must be admitted that, in general, this looks quite harmoniously insert, the more added to it as a four screw mounts. I can not say that I like such additional detail in the smartphone, but to call this decision also can not be tasteless. In this case, the task was to bring the antenna to the body, bypassing the metal regions, and designers together with the engineers decided it.
Plastic insert antennas also have a backrest in the lower region of the device. Here, incidentally, is the two screws located at the end.
Metal folding texture makes the smartphone practical – marks on the surface even if remain completely invisible, I’m a very long time trying to slap the back of the unit and remove it in the photo, but nothing happened. Obverse spoiled, of course, much more noticeable, but thanks to the oleophobic coating prints and stains from your fingers can be quickly removed, in general, it is a problem of any device with a large touch screen.
Assembling
To build quality smartphone no complaints – all very solidly and reliably, in addition, the monolithic body of the removable parts are only the tray under the SIM-card. It so happened that in the course of using the machine, I accidentally dropped it on the ground on the street, at the same time before the fall of the device hit the small stone and bounced. As a result – a few small scratches on the “back” and barely noticeable dent on the frame near the screen. Of course, this is not an indicator of strength and indestructibility K920, but still.
Dimensions
I do not know how to call Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro – smartphone or fabletom, I can only say that the device is huge. In size the new model is between about Sony Xperia Z Ultra and smartphones with 5.5 ‘screen. Even the previous flagship Lenovo, K900, more compact new items.Take a look at the size of it:
- Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro (6 ‘) – 156 x 81 x 7.7 mm, 179 grams
- Apple iPhone 5S - 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, 112 grams
- HTC One (M8) (5 ”) – 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm, 160 grams
- LG G3 (5.5 ”) – 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm, 149 grams
- Nokia Lumia 930 (5 ‘) – 137 x 71 x 9.8 mm, 167 grams
- Samsung Galaxy S5 (5.1 ”) – 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm, 145 grams
- Sony Xperia Z Ultra (6.44 ”) – 179 x 92 x 6.5 mm, 212 grams
- OnePlus One (5.5 ”) – 153 x 76 x 9 mm, 162 grams
If we put K920 near some large, it seemed to me not so long ago, HTC One (M8) or even LG G3, once you understand how compact the past (it was a joke, but only half)
Compact Meizu MX2 can not just drown in the screen Lenovo K920, but also a place to stay.
How is the device in your hand? Personally, in my case – with difficulty, to put it mildly. Once again, the definition of “shovel” is displayed by manufacturers, in this case, Lenovo, to a new level. Yes, Sony Xperia Z Ultra was before, but then the Japanese immediately made it clear that they do not find your device smartphone, here more and more vague, and, if desired, Lenovo K920 is quite possible to put into this category.
With due diligence and skill to adapt to the dimensions of the model is possible, but for me the size of K920 were beyond acceptable, that is, hold it with one hand and I can not control.
Controls
Controls in a smartphone at least – short volume key on the left side, the power button on the right and power of touch buttons below the screen illuminated.
Hardware volume buttons and the power is quite comfortable with a hard short-stroke depression. Unfortunately, the version of the firmware for the Lenovo K920 in August not implemented the ability to unlock the device by double-tapping on the screen, as is done in many other smartphones. Personally, I’ve managed to get used to this option on the LG G3 and HTC One (M8), and here I miss her. But, as noted in Lenovo, in future firmware for the K920, this option can be, so most likely it is only a matter of time.
On the right edge, except the power button is a slot for two microSIM-cards, located on the common tray. To remove it, you must use the complete clip.
At the top end – 3.5 mm mini jack for headphones, at the bottom – the lattice, which is hidden behind the speaker, as well as microUSB-socket and a microphone.
Keys below the display are illuminated white backlight, from left to right here are the key “Menu”, “Home” and “Back”. You can set the backlight to time for 3 seconds, permanently or just turn it off. Remap the buttons specified action can not be a minus.
But there is a plus – many advanced settings and options related to the management. In Lenovo wisely approached the problem of the large dimensions of the device and tried to do everything so that the users for which the size of K920 are great, but the big screen and lures have been able to make friends with your smartphone. Let’s look at what the manufacturer suggests.
Microscreen for one hand. Strange, but still useful in some situations, an option that perfectly characterizes the world of modern smartphones spade, when you want a big screen, and the length of the fingers is not enough. In this option, you can scale the screen, reducing its size to those that control the device was comfortable with one hand. That is, it is possible to make the working area 4 inches in diagonal, instead of the six basic example.
Yes, it will look strange, but it is convenient to use.
Live keyboard. In this option, you get a shift key on the numeric keypad dialer in the direction you tilt the device. Controversial, in my opinion, an option, but perhaps someone will be useful.
You can also specify the inclusion of screen smartphone volume by pressing any key, disable the “Home” in the horizontal orientation of the device and to block the smartphone quick short shake the device. And there are already familiar to many other smartphones settings – modes “in the pocket” (Prints data volume when the unit is placed in a pocket) and “In the hands” (the volume is automatically reduced when you take a smartphone in hand).
Let’s go back to the location of the elements. On the front side of the screen are the earpiece, light and proximity sensors, as well as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera (autofocus is not) and the light.
Screen
In the Lenovo K920 uses IPS LCD screen, 6 diagonal ‘, resolution 2560×1440 pixels, density of 490 ppi. The screen is covered with a protective glass Gorilla Glass 3. record smartphone solution here, as in the case of the LG G3, in my opinion, is not justified. Personally, I with difficulty and only under a magnifying glass discern picture clarity on this display and the display HTC One M8, for example. On the other hand – all the characteristics of a great screen with K920 and carp just do not need it. There is a very high margin of brightness (special mode, high-brightness), holding that, you get a smartphone with the brightest of IPS-matrix screen smartphones, the maximum viewing angles and color reproduction, natural.
If the default color profile you’re not satisfied, you can configure it manually by changing the position of the slider hue, saturation, and contrast. The screen can be colder or warmer color temperature, so as you see fit.
Luggage
The main camera in Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro – 16-megapixel sensor is used Samsung ISOCELL, six lenses have optical stabilization which work when shooting remarkably visible to the naked eye. Located near the camera dual LED flash, which can be used as a flashlight.
There are two camera mode: Smart mode and pros. In the first system automatically selects the optimal settings for a particular scene and exposes, in the second you do it yourself.
The camera interface in smart mode is as simple – shoot button, a button to switch between the main and the front camera, and the arrow keys to select or videos.
In the pro-mode, all interesting. You can not only set the level of exposure and the value of ISO, but also to choose the shutter speed and manual focus at a certain distance. In the settings you can turn on in this mode level to “horizon was not overwhelmed.”
Unfortunately, the engineering samples, which was in my review, the camera does not always work correctly: in certain conditions exhibited incorrect automatic white balance or could not focus properly. However, even taking into account the shortcomings of this time to see the great potential of the camera in Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro, if it will bring to mind in future firmware.
The following is a unit of comparative photographs taken on smartphones Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro and LG G3:
The camera allows you to take great pictures close-up (macro), front 5-megapixel camera with no autofocus, but the image quality is acceptable.
Shooting in a “pro” provides many new features, for example, may be photographed at ISO 200-400 with a significant exposure to get in low light conditions without a frame noise. Due to optical stabilization, even when placing long exposure does not necessarily have a hand-stands, to get a sharp picture.
AutonomyYou can record video in resolutions up to 3840×2160 (as specified in the settings 4k), the standard is FullHD, used codec H.264, write speed – 30 frames per second. There express recording and two windows when the video words parallel to the main chamber, and also at the front. Provides a fixed focus (you can change the tap of the screen), and servo AF mode.
The smartphone is set Li-Pol battery capacity of 4000 mAh, for the most efficient use of the battery can also be included in a special energy-saving mode utility Lenovo Power Manager.
With my usage scenarios Lenovo K920 easily runs the entire working day, in fact, it is one of the first smartphones, which I kept in a typical operational scenarios not just until the night of the day, but about one and a half days.
Scenario similar to the following: 1 hour of calls, 10-20 text messages, Gmail, 3-4 hours of music playback, 1-2 hours of active use of the mobile internet (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Chrome), constant throughout the day correspondence in WhatsApp and Facebook messenger (a total of not less than one hour), photographing.
In playback mode the video as 1080p, 5000 kbps (volume and brightness exhibited by three-quarters, or about 70 percent, the battery mode “normal», Wi-Fi and GPS off) smartphone is about 8-10 hours. For devices on a powerful platform with a huge screen display is very good.
Platform, memory
The smartphone is based on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon platform 801 (MSM8974AC) with a quad-core 2.5 GHz, the graphics subsystem (GPU) – Adreno 330 processor with a frequency of 578 MHz. The unit 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. A slot for a microSD card is not included.
Performance tests
As synthetic tests (Antutu), and daily use Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro shows excellent results in speed. The interface works smoothly and without lag, switching between programs is fast, clear and without jerks. The unit without any problems “cool» FullHD video in high quality and can comfortably play all available games for the Android platform.
At normal load (phone calls, mail, internet via 3G / 4G) smartphone barely heats at constant active Wi-Fi connection (watching a movie through a web service, for example) or in the course of a long game device heats up considerably. According to the application Stability Test, the approximate temperature of the unit (data from the battery temperature) during normal operation – about 35 degrees. Under load, after 15 minutes of the test run, the temperature rises to 50 degrees.
Also cite the results of testing the smartphone in the benchmark Antutu (X)
Interfaces
The smartphone works in networks GSM, HSDPA and LTE (4G) and is equipped with two slots for microSIM-cards. The first slot supports LTE FDD (bands 1, 3, 7, 20), so the Russian device works without problems with the 4G-networks. Data transfer rate with 4G (LTE), of course, depends on the place where you are, I have Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro gave a very good performance in areas with sufficient signal «4G».
Speed data transmission using LTE on Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro
The speed of data transmission using LTE on LG G3, was used to measure the same place
The second slot is designed primarily for SIM-card on which you plan to call, but the data it can also be used. However, only using 2G (Edge).
USB. To synchronize with your PC and transfer data using the supplied cable microUSB. Interface USB 2.0. Supported USB-OTG – to your phone can be connected via an adapter flash drives and other storage devices with file systems FAT / FAT32.
Bluetooth. Built-in Bluetooth 4.0 with support profile A2DP.
Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n). The smartphone is a dual-band Wi-Fi module, it works flawlessly. Like any other modern Android-device, Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro supports “rassharivaniya” mobile Internet on Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi-router).
NFC. Standard interface for all flagship based on Android, from 2013 onwards there and Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro. How to use each invents itself, can come up with scenarios with special NFC-tags, you can check the number of trips to the metro card.
Telephone features / Implementation of the two SIM-cards
Both slots for SIM-card format microSIM, they are located in one tray, next to each other. In the settings of your smartphone, you can set a name for each “Sims”. In one radio device, so if you’re on a SIM-card, calling for a second, people will hear the message answering machine operator or “subscriber is temporarily unavailable.”
When dialing a number or sending a text message anywhere there are two keys for every action of the first or second SIM-card.
In the case of using two SIM-cards Megaphone with activated “Living Balance” shows the balance for the first SIM-card.
For each “Sims” separately exhibited ringing tone and sound to text messages, notification sound overall.
Here, I note that the smartphone is able to write the sound from the line, the call can be configured to enable automatic recording of conversations. Accordingly, in a perfectly audible recording of you and your companion.
In the settings, there are options like call auto-answer a call when you hold the device to your ear, triggering a short vibration when a successful connection with the caller, and so on. In short, all common in other smartphones (Samsung, HTC) opportunities there.
Navigation / Auto mode
The smartphone has support for GPS / A-GPS and GLONASS satellites to find out the minimum amount of time. The device pre-installed software Google Maps and Google Navigation.
In Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro includes a special “auto mode” to work with your smartphone when you are moving or just set the device into the cradle on the windshield and use as a navigator or DVR.
In this mode only the necessary applications, and the interface is optimized for convenient finger control without “aiming” at will.
In this mode, you can use your smartphone as a DVR, for this there is a built-in utility that records video on the main camera in moderate quality
Software features and software
The smartphone runs Android 4.4.2, as the interface uses a proprietary VIBE UI (Lenovo Launcher), is similar in its basic idea with MIUI. The same location of all the shortcuts on the desktop screen without a separate application menu Remove Programs holding a finger on the icon and pressing the cross over him after.
On the lock screen, you can quickly switch from calls, messages or start the camera. If you listen to music through the music player (Google Music, for example) on the lock screen displays album art and music control buttons.
It is interesting to make a “blind” notifications. There is no separation of the tabs, and the control buttons and interface settings are shown, not all but only a small area. If necessary, you can pull the tab inside the curtain and pull out all the shortcuts.
In the settings you can change the set of labels displayed here and their position within the “blind”.
For Lenovo Launcher is the skin, with the basic idea of how to MIUI: you can change the theme as a whole, or you can use the individual components of different topics, from somewhere icons, somewhere a picture, and in the third theme ringtones.
A set of applications in Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro includes all the software you may need for a comfortable work with the device “out of the box”, including file manager application from the “Yandex», Skype and so on
Interesting feature Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro – an opportunity to switch to the standard interface of Android 4.4. To do this, you need to activate the menu “For Developers” by going to Settings> About phone> Version Information and poked the line “Build Number”. On the menu for developers there is a line switching system interface where you can choose the basic interface Google Android 4.4.
Conclusion
Reception quality for both SIM-cards is good for one and a half weeks of use Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro as the primary smartphone I have no problems in this regard. Volume ring dynamics above average, you can hear the call even in a noisy environment, the only drawback – only one speaker located, in addition, at the end, so if you carry the device in your pocket, it will sound muffled. Vibrating alert is average in power, taking into account the weight of the smartphone is acceptable.
In Russia, the official cost of Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro has not been determined, but is likely to be about 30 000, the start of sales is scheduled for the second half of September. On the one hand, a significant amount of money, on the other – do not forget that this is a flagship of the company, even if Lenovo does not release it into the usual time, a kind of off-season, when all the manufacturers have shown popular device in 2014.
Direct competitors Vibe Z2 Pro yet, and it is perhaps one of the most powerful of its sides. The pros I’ll take as a quality aluminum housing, good camera (especially if the “finished” firmware), an excellent display with a huge stock of brightness and possibility of fine tuning the color, excellent performance and good performance of the battery life. Deficiencies in the smartphone is really small – no slot for memory card (if available 32 GB of internal memory – this drawback is not for everyone, but still) and the huge dimensions of the large six-inch screen. Soon Samsung will introduce a new Galaxy Note, and the device is likely to become a major competitor for the Lenovo K920.However, we can already say that Lenovo has managed to make a decent product, and if you decide to choose a smartphone with a large display as much as possible at the end of the year, you should pay close attention to the Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro.
Features:
- Operating System: Android 4.4 (VIBE UI)
- Network: GSM, HSDPA +, LTE, support for two SIM-cards (microSIM), one radio
- Processor: Quad 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon platform at 801
- Graphic subsystem: Adreno 330
- Memory: 3 GB
- Data Memory: 32 GB
- Card Slot: no
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (a / ac / b / g / n /) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.0 (A2DP), microUSB (USB 2.0, MHL, OTG) for charging / synchronization, 3.5 mm headset jack
- Screen: IPS LCD, diagonal 6 “resolution 2560×1440 pixels, density 490 ppi, it automatically adjusts the level of illumination
- Main Camera: 16 MP with autofocus and optical stabilization, dual LED flash, video is recorded in 4k, 1080p,
- Front camera: 5 megapixel with fixed focal length
- Navigation: GPS (support A-GPS), Glonass
- Extras: accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor
- Battery: Li-Pol 4000 mAh capacity
- Dimensions: 156 x 81 x 7.7 mm
- Weight: 179 grams
Review smartphone Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro (K920)
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