Lenovo K8 Note or Xiaomi Mi 5?

Julius John Rase Hugo asks, “Which is better: Lenovo K8 Note or Xiaomi Mi 5?”

In this specs matchup, we will be putting two smartphones with relatively low prices, but with decent specs and performance. Which do you think would win? Find out below!

The Lenovo K8 Note is one of the smartphones that can outmatch many smartphones in terms of raw performance with just a low price point. It has a 5.5″ Full HD IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution, a MediaTek Helio X23 processor, a 64GB internal storage, 4GB RAM, a 13MP + 5MP rear cameras with LED flash, a 13MP front camera with flash, and a 4,000mAh battery with TurboPower tech.

The Xiaomi Mi 5 was the brand’s flagship smartphone back in 2016, but it still packs a punch and can go toe-to-toe with today’s mid-top tier smartphones. It has a 5.15″ Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a Snapdragon 820 processor,  a 32GB/64GB/128GB UFS 2.0 internal storage, a 3GB/4GB LPDDR4 RAM, a 16MP Phase-Detection Auto-Focus rear camera with dual-LED flash, a 4MP front camera, and a 3,000mAh battery with Quick charge 3.0.

Here are their detailed specs:

	Lenovo K8 Note	Xiaomi Mi 5
Display	5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display @ 1080 x 1920 pixels	5.15-inch full HD IPS LCD display @ 1920 x 1080 pixels
CPU	2.3GHz MediaTek Helio X23 deca-core SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor
GPU	Mali-T880 MP4	Adreno 530
Memory	-64GB internal storage -4GB RAM	-64GB internal storage -3GB RAM
Camera	-13MP + 5MP secondary rear depth camera w/ LED flash -13MP front camera w/ flash	-16-megapixel PDAF rear camera w/ dual-LED flash, 4-axis OIS -4-megapixel front camera
Battery	4,000mAh battery with TurboPower technology	3000mAh battery w/ Quick Charge 3.0
OS	Android 7.1.1 Nougat	Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ MIUI 7

Here are their benchmark scores:

	Lenovo K8 Note	Xiaomi Mi 5
AnTuTu	84,658	114,445
Battery Life	7 hours 35 minutes	8 hours 41 minutes

Here are the advantages of each smartphone:

Lenovo K8 Note

+ Larger screen size

+ Larger RAM (varies on which Xiaomi Mi 5 variant)

+ Higher front camera resolution

+ Android 7.1.1 out-of-the-box

+ Stock Android

+ Expandable card slot

+ Durable water-repellent design

Xiaomi Mi 5

+ Better performing CPU

+ Better performing GPU

+ Higher rear camera resolution

+ Longer Lasting battery life

+ NFC

+ VoLTE support

+ IR Blaster

DISPLAY

Both smartphones have the same screen resolution and aspect ratio, however, the K8 Note has a higher screen size that puts it automatically to an advantage. In terms of viewing experience, users will have a better time watching videos with the former compared with the Mi 5.

CPU AND GPU

The K8 Note carries a powerful Helio X23 processor which gives a very decent performance and speed, but the Mi 5 carries Qualcomm’s 2016 flagship processor. When put in the AnTuTu benchmark test, it shows that there is a significant difference between the two smartphones’ performances. In terms of gaming potential, it is apparent that the winner for this aspect is the latter.

CAMERA

The K8 Note carries a dual rear camera setup while its front has a high camera resolution. The Mi 5, on the other hand, has a single camera setup on both sides. In terms of their camera resolution, the former has a higher front camera while the latter has a higher rear camera. To check the image quality produced by both smartphones, readers may refer to our sample shots that were taken here: (Lenovo K8 Note and Xiaomi Mi 5).

BATTERY

Even though the K8 Note has a higher battery capacity, the Mi 5 outlasts the other by an hour during the PC Mark battery test benchmark. Readers shouldn’t worry, however, since both smartphones have a fast charging technology. One main issue that we see in the former is that it heats up quickly when used for games and cameras.

PRICE

The Lenovo K8 Note is priced at Php9,999 (see price listing here) while the Xiaomi Mi 5 is priced at Php13,500 (see price listing here)

If we were to choose which one would be the better pick, we’ll go with the Xiaomi Mi 5 since old flagship smartphones are still better choices (see our article related to this). In the Php4.5k price difference, the specs and performance of the Mi 5 is still worth buying today.

Do you agree with our pick? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.