Lenovo A390 Comprehensive Review Specs & Pricing Guide

Overview of Lenovo A390

The Lenovo A390 was released in April 2013, marking its presence in the entry-level smartphone market. Despite being discontinued now, the device was quite popular in its time due to its affordability and relatively decent specifications for basic users. The phone’s lightweight design and user-friendly features made it accessible to many first-time smartphone users.

Design and Build

The Lenovo A390 features a compact design with dimensions of 125.6 x 64 x 10.1 mm, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. Weighing only 131 grams, it is lightweight and portable. The phone is equipped with a plastic body, ensuring durability and a comfortable grip. It comes with a dual SIM (Mini-SIM) slot, catering to users who need to manage two mobile numbers simultaneously.

Display

This smartphone features a 4.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, providing adequate clarity and color reproduction for everyday use. The 233 ppi density ensures images and text are reasonably sharp, although it may not match the standards of higher-end devices.

Performance

The Lenovo A390 is powered by a Mediatek MT6577 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor. This setup allows for basic multitasking and smooth operation of routine applications. The device is equipped with 512MB of RAM, which may limit its ability to handle more demanding apps or extensive multitasking.

Storage

The internal storage of 4GB, while limited, can be expanded using a microSDHC card slot. This feature provides users the flexibility to increase storage capacity for photos, videos, and applications, which is particularly useful given the minimal built-in storage.

Camera

Equipped with a 5 MP rear camera, the Lenovo A390 offers basic photography features. It supports video recording, although both photo and video quality are modest by contemporary standards. The lack of a front-facing camera means that selfie enthusiasts might find the device lacking in this aspect.

Operating System

The device runs on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, offering a user-friendly interface suitable for beginners in the Android ecosystem. However, users might find the absence of updates limiting as newer apps might not be fully compatible with this Android version.

Battery Life

The Lenovo A390 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. This provides a standby time of up to 220 hours on 2G and up to 180 hours on 3G networks. The talk time can reach up to 14 hours on 2G and up to 9 hours on 3G, ensuring the device lasts throughout the day for basic communication needs.

Connectivity

Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band and hotspot capabilities, as well as Bluetooth 3.0 for wireless communication. Additionally, the device supports GPS for location services and comes with an FM radio. The lack of NFC is a drawback for users looking for contactless communication features.

Sound and Sensors

The Lenovo A390 is equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack and a loudspeaker, providing conventional audio connectivity. The device includes sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor that enhance user interaction and device functionality.

Price and Availability

Initially priced at around 70 EUR, the Lenovo A390 positioned itself as an affordable option for budget-conscious consumers. The phone was available in black and white color variants. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a noteworthy mention in the history of affordable smartphones.

Conclusion

In summary, the Lenovo A390 serves as a reflection of the early 2010s smartphone market, where affordability and functionality were key drivers. While it does not cater to high-performance needs, its simplicity and cost-effectiveness made it a significant choice for entry-level users and those needing basic functionality without the bells and whistles of modern smartphones.