Lenovo A60 Comprehensive Review Specs & Pricing

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo A60 boasts a compact design suitable for users who prefer smaller devices. With dimensions of 116 x 59.9 x 12.6 mm and a weight of 135 g, it offers a comfortable grip and is easy to handle. The phone features a dual SIM (Mini-SIM) capability, which was quite a selling point at the time, appealing to users who need to manage two numbers simultaneously. The overall build, though not premium, offers decent durability for everyday use, with a robust plastic shell.

Display

The Lenovo A60 is equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT display which supports 256K colors. Offering a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels and a ~165 ppi pixel density, it provides a modest viewing experience that is standard for devices of its era. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 52.5%, ensuring that the display is well-utilized in terms of the device's overall real estate. Although the display performance cannot compete with modern smartphones, it was adequate for basic usage like calling, messaging, and casual web browsing at the time of its release.

Camera Capabilities

The Lenovo A60 features a single 3.15 MP main camera, which was typical for entry-level smartphones in the early 2010s. The camera is capable of capturing basic photos suitable for casual snapshots. Video recording is supported, though the resolution and quality are quite limited compared to today's standards. Furthermore, there is a VGA front-facing camera which, while not ideal for high-quality selfies, serves the purpose of basic video calls.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), the Lenovo A60 comes with the Mediatek MT6573 (65 nm) chipset. It is powered by a 650 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. This combination is designed to handle essential smartphone tasks fairly efficiently, though it is not suited for demanding applications or games. The operating system version offers the basic Android experience with access to Google services, which was a significant draw for first-time smartphone users during its release period.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 220MB of internal storage, which is quite limited but was a common scenario in budget-friendly phones of its time. However, the Lenovo A60 supports microSDHC cards via a dedicated slot, and it includes a 2 GB card in the package. This allows users to expand storage, making it possible to store more media files and applications, albeit with limited space for large applications or files.

Battery Life

Powering the Lenovo A60 is a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. The battery offers a stand-by time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours. This is relatively standard for early smartphones, providing a day's worth of minimal use without needing frequent recharges. The removable aspect of the battery is a plus, allowing users to replace it easily without needing professional assistance.

Network and Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Lenovo A60 supports GSM / HSPA technology and offers 2G and 3G band compatibility, with speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloads. Although limited by today's 4G and 5G standards, it offers decent mobile data performance for web browsing and streaming at moderate resolutions. Additional connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, FM radio, and microUSB 2.0.

Additional Features

The phone packs elemental sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, providing enhanced navigation and usability options. The presence of a 3.5mm audio jack caters to audio needs, allowing users to connect their own headphones or speakers without an adapter. Additionally, the loudspeaker facility provides an option for hands-free calls and media consumption.

Final Thoughts

Even though it was discontinued, the Lenovo A60 marks an important step in the evolution of affordable Android smartphones. Priced around 120 EUR, it targeted individuals seeking an entry-level smartphone experience without a hefty price tag. While it may not compare to present-day devices in terms of features and performance, it served its purpose in making mobile technology more accessible to the masses. This device laid groundwork paving the way for the continual progression in smartphone innovation focused on providing value-packed offerings at competitive price points.