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Daryll Anthony Fortunado asks, “Which is better: Lenovo K8 Note or Xiaomi Mi A1?”
In this match, we will be taking a look at two smartphones that was recently released in the Philippines. Let’s start!
(Author’s Note: We will be comparing both smartphones based on specs alone since we’ve yet to have units on hand as of this moment.)
The Lenovo K8 Note has been recently made available in the country and will be in Lazada’s Online Revolution sale this coming Nov. 9. It has a 5.5″ Full HD IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a MediaTek Helio X23 chipset, 64GB internal storage, 4GB RAM, 13MP + 5MP dual rear cameras with LED flash, a 13MP front camera with LED flash, and 4,000mAh battery.
The Xiaomi Mi A1 has been showing up on many resellers of Xiaomi smartphones and have been proven to be famous among readers. It has a 5.5″ Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a Snapdragon 625 chipset, 64GB internal storage, 4GB RAM, 12MP wide-angle + 12MP telephoto dual rear cameras with LED flash, 5MP front camera, and 3,080mAh battery.
Here are their detailed specs:
| Lenovo K8 Note | Xiaomi Mi A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display @ 1920 x 1080 pixels | 5.5-inch Full HD display @ 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| CPU | 2.3GHz MediaTek Helio X23 deca-core | Snapdragon 625 octa-core |
| GPU | Mali-T880 | Adreno 506 |
| Memory | – 64GB internal storage – 4GB RAM |
– 64GB internal storage – 4GB RAM |
| Camera | – 13MP + 5MP secondary rear depth camera w/ LED flash – 13MP front camera w/ flash |
– 12MP wide-angle + 12MP telephoto (2x zoom) rear cameras, LED flash – 5MP front camera |
| Battery | 4,000mAh battery w/ Turbo-charging | 3,080mAh battery |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Stock Android) | Pure Android 7.1.2 Nougat (Android 8.0 Oreo within 2017) |
Here are the advantages of each smartphone.
Lenovo K8 Note
+ Better Performing CPU
+ Better Performing GPU
+ Higher front camera resolution
+ Front LED flash
+ Larger battery capacity
Xiaomi Mi A1
+ More power efficient CPU
+ Wide-angle rear camera lens
+ USB Type-C
+ 10V Smart power amplifier
DISPLAY
For their displays, both smartphones have an identical setup with their 5.5″ IPS LCD displays @ 1920 x 1080 screen resolution. The specs alone is the standard setup for mid-range smartphones and it gives users a good viewing experience in which they will enjoy watching from. Aside from this is that both of them are equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass screen protection which means that the screen durability for both are high and users who will choose any one of these should be less worried if they drop their phones accidentally.
CPU AND GPU
In terms of CPU, The Helio X23 of the K8 Note is better on paper compared to the Snapdragon 625 of the Mi A1. We have said this because the former chipset has an increase of up to 20% in performance compared to its predecessor, the Helio X20, which we’ve already tested a few times.
We can prove this by checking out the Antutu benchmark scores of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Snapdragon 625 variant and its Helio X20 variant. The SD 625 got a score of 61,824 while the Helio X20 got a score of 82,956. From this, we can already see the significant difference between the two processors.
We can now have an educated assumption that the Helio X23 of the K8 Note has the upper hand in terms of CPU performance, however, the Snapdragon 625 has a more power efficient chipset with its 14nm architecture compared to the 20nm architecture of the former.
As for GPU performance, The K8 Note’s Mali-T880 GPU has better gaming potential than the Mi A1’s Adreno 506 GPU.
CAMERA
As for the camera department, both smartphones have a dual-rear camera setup but both have different uses for the lenses. The K8 Note has an additional 5MP lens for depth of field and to provide a “bokeh” effect for photos that are being taken while the Mi A1 has a Telephoto lens which can zoom in by 2x and a wide-angle lens which can provide a larger area to cover the photos with. The former’s front camera is higher than the latter and is equipped with a front LED flash as well. We have not yet taken photos for both smartphones but once we get our hands on them, we will gladly do so.
BATTERY
For their Battery capacities, the K8 Note has a 4,000mAh battery which is higher than Mi A1’s 3,080mAh one. However, we should not underestimate the latter’s battery life since it carries the Snapdragon 625 chipset which is more power efficient than the Helio X23 one.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
As for overall performance, the K8 Note definitely wins this aspect since it has a better performing CPU and GPU than the Mi A1. For viewing experience, it’s a draw for both smartphones since they have the same display setup.
OTHER FEATURES
Before we end this comparison, let us look at the additional features that both smartphones possess.
The K8 Note and Mi A1 both have the Android 7.1 Nougat operating systems and both are in Stock Android configurations which is a huge plus for users looking to have a vanilla experience of Android.
The K8 Note has a Micro USB port while the Mi A1 has a USB Type-C port. Aside from that, the latter also possess a 10V Smart power amplifier which is good for audiophiles.
PRICE
The Lenovo K8 Note is priced at Php13,990, however, due to Lazada’s Online Revolution Sale, its price will be at a discounted Php8,999 starting November 9. The Xiaomi Mi A1 is priced at Php10,450 (see price listing here)
Which smartphone would you pick? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
