Lenovo’s dull, lowpriced K6 Note fails to dazzle
Though some of its flaws are acceptable for a relatively cheap mobile, the device’s mediocre specs and subpar camera make it fall flat, even next to similarly priced models.
enjoying moderate success in the laptop computer market, Lenovo has never been the most competitive brand when it comes to smartphones, generally offering devices in the low-to-mid-tier range. The K6 Note, the latest release in the brand’s K6 series, which includes the ordinary K6 and the K6 Power, doesn’t seem to buck the trend, coming with a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 and a measly maximum of 4GB of RAM, which makes the phone noticeably suffer when used for extended periods of time. The same can be said for the phone’s ability to run relatively taxing apps or multitasking. This lack of power and a subpar 16MP camera makes the phone a tough sell, even at its affordable price of 8,990 baht.
DESIGN
One good thing that can be said about the K6 Note is that several of its design elements are quite thoughtful, even if they are really just minor details in the big picture.
The K6 Note comes with a 5.5-inch full-HD screen (1920x1080p) and a hefty weight of 169g, making it ever-so-slightly lighter than an iPhone 6. It’s not exactly thin, however, as the phone’s frame is bulked out by the thick glass screen, which noticeably juts out. This makes me fear for the screen’s endurance against a fall, as it seems like its edges are placed exactly level with the reinforced corners, meaning that a drop will likely take a toll on the screen’s corner. It also gives the phone a rather unflattering profile when viewed from the side, though this is, admittedly, a matter of personal preference.
You’ll find the usual trio of Android buttons — namely Recent Apps, Home and Back — on the bottom of the screen, with the speaker and 8MP front camera on top. On the back, you’ll find the 16MP camera and the flash, as well as the very cleverly placed fingerprint scanner. Most phones, like the iPhone, place their fingerprint scanner at the bottom of the screen, which can make for awkward moves when trying to unlock the phone with one hand. Placing it on the back puts the scanner within easy reach of your index finger.
On the upper-left edge of the device, you’ll find a removable tray for the K6 Note’s nano SIM and microSD card, while the volume rockers and lock button are on the right. I found the positioning of the rockers and lock button to be just right, with my thumb resting naturally on the lock button whenever I reached my index finger behind the phone to unlock it. It’s admittedly not the most secure way to hold the device, as this usually means a good half of the phone is jutting out from your hand, but it’s a great way to unlock the phone quickly before sliding it back into a more comfortable grip. The 3.5mm headphone jack is on top, while the charging dock and speakers are on the bottom.
All told, I’m not impressed by the design of the K6 Note. The matt, all-metal back cover is a nice touch, offering both fingerprint-resistance and a tactile texture, but the rest of the device seems rather dull and even outdated.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, the K6 Note’s middling specs have a real habit of making themselves apparent. Using the device can at times feel rather flustering, as the phone will often stutter and lag during the simplest circumstances, such as accidentally keeping too many apps open or simply using it for extended periods of time. Furthermore, the phone’s specs mean that it can have trouble running larger apps or games reliably. I’ve even had the device completely crash out of an app a few times.
To make matters worse, the 16MP back camera is quite bad, with colour distortions and grainy textures in almost all types of lighting. This appears to be a problem with the software behind the camera, which seems to fail at making the necessary adjustments when compensating for various conditions. Taking pictures in low light is almost impossible, and shaky hands will struggle to get things in focus. The camera can capture images in HDR, though this only makes the pictures seem less “real”, as you can pretty much tell where the colours are enhanced to make the contrast seem starker.
If there’s anything good to say about the K6 Note’s performance, it would have to be the impressive battery life. A single full charge should easily last you through an entire day of use, especially if you must perform lighter tasks such as music or internet browsing. This could vary depending on how much you use the device for gaming or video streaming, of course.
VERDICT
While the K6 Note isn’t quite up to snuff in terms of power or camera quality, it probably isn’t too much of a surprise considering the device’s price point of 8,990 baht. It could make an interesting budget work phone, used mostly to accept or make calls thanks to its robust battery life, though even then there are cheaper alternatives that could work just as well, while comparably priced phones from other brands still beat it in terms of processing power.
The middling specs have a real habit of making themselves apparent.