Lenovo K800 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview

The Lenovo K800 was a unique device at its time of release, marking the company's first foray into smartphones powered by Intel processors. Announced in January 2012 and released in September of the same year, the K800 targeted the growing demand for smart devices with a balance of performance and affordability. The device eventually became discontinued but left its mark as one of the early adopters of Intel's Atom CPU for mobile phones.

Network and Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Lenovo K800 was geared towards a broad range of network technologies. It supported GSM and HSPA, with 2G bands covering GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G bands supporting HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 1800. The device was designed to handle HSPA speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps download and 5.76 Mbps upload, which was quite competitive at that time.

Design and Build

The physical dimensions of the K800 are 130.5 x 71.2 x 11 mm, and it weighs 161 grams. These specs made it a moderately sized device for its time, with a Mini-SIM slot for connectivity. The build quality was solid, primarily focusing on durability and ease of use, with accessibility for hardware components made possible by its removable back panel.

Display

The Lenovo K800 featured a 4.5-inch IPS LCD, which presented vibrant colors and adequate brightness levels for indoor and outdoor usage. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, the display achieved a pixel density of approximately 326 ppi, providing crisp visuals suitable for media consumption, gaming, and browsing.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread, the operating system, while outdated by today's standards, was standard during its release. The standout feature was the Intel Atom Z2460 chipset, clocked at 1.6 GHz, and accompanied by PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This silicon allowed the device to handle everyday tasks and some mid-level gaming with relative ease. Despite having only 1GB of RAM, the combination of Intel's processing capabilities and Android's optimizations provided a fairly smooth user experience.

Memory

When it comes to storage, the Lenovo K800 came with 16GB of internal storage. While this may be limiting by today's standards, it was fairly commensurate with competing devices at its launch. It also featured a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand storage as needed, which was an essential feature for media users.

Camera Capabilities

The K800 was equipped with an 8 MP primary camera featuring autofocus and a dual-LED flash, capable of capturing 1080p video at 30 frames per second. This presented users with a competent photography tool in well-lit conditions, while the dual-LED flash supported night and low-light photography. There was a front-facing camera included for selfies, allowing for basic video calls and self-photography.

Audio and Multimedia

Featuring a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, the Lenovo K800 catered well to multimedia consumption. Users had the flexibility of using both wired headphones and streaming audio directly when required, a feature expected in smartphones back then.

Communication Features

The Lenovo K800 had traditional communication functionalities including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR for peripheral device connection, GPS and A-GPS for navigation, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data syncing. However, it lacked a radio option, which might not have been a critical feature for the targeted tech-savvy demographic.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable 1900 mAh Li-Ion battery, which offered adequate power to last through a workday with moderate use. A removable battery also meant users could carry a spare and easily replace it themselves, enhancing device usage over longer periods without access to charging facilities.

Sensors and Additional Features

Equipped with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, the K800 covered the essential sensor suite necessary for most apps and functionality expected from smartphones at that time. These sensors contributed to a more intelligent and responsive user interface, enabling auto-rotate features and location-based services.

Aesthetics and Pricing

Available in black, the Lenovo K800's design was understated yet modern, aiming to appeal to a business-oriented audience and stylish consumers alike. At a launch price of approximately 190 EUR, it offered a compelling package of technology and design that was competitively priced against similar devices from other manufacturers.

Conclusion

The Lenovo K800, though now discontinued, remains a significant chapter in Lenovo's journey into the smartphone market. At its release, it embodied a mix of innovative processing technology with Intel's Atom chipset and the robustness of Android Gingerbread, packaged in a device that catered to both performance and budget considerations. While newer devices have surpassed the K800 in terms of technology and capability, its role as a pioneer in dual-brand collaboration for smartphones is noteworthy.