Nov 07, 2016 01:34 PM
1607 Views
Lenovo's popular low-cost K-series has had a bit of an identity crisis over the past year. The popular low-cost K3 Note was succeeded by the Vibe K4 Note(Review), which didn't really fit into the same category, and then by the Vibe K5 Plus(Review), which was more of a return to K-series roots. Priced at just Rs. 8,500, the Vibe K5 Plus actually addresses a lower-cost section of the market than the Vibe K4 Note, and is a viable competitor to similarly priced devices from Xiaomi, Asus, Coolpad, Honor, and others.
Now, Lenovo has decided to introduce two K5 variants in India; the premium K5 Note, and the budget Vibe K5. The former gains the familiar'Note' suffix, it looks like it's going to be a higher-end all-metal device when it launches. On the other hand, the Vibe K5 is a stripped-down, low-cost phone designed to appeal to those on a tight budget, and this is the device we're taking a closer look at today.
Look and feel
The new Vibe K5 looks pretty much identical to its sibling, the K5 Plus. It has exactly the same style and is available in the same three colours: silver, gold, and grey. We don't mind this at all because we were quite happy with this design the first time we encountered it. It isn't the slickest phone around, but it definitely doesn't look low-end.
The body is all plastic, except for a thin plate of metal in the middle of the rear. This helps the phone feel sturdy, for what it's worth. A shiny chrome ring runs around the front and protects the screen from scratches when the phone is placed face-down on a table. We're a little concerned that the finish will wear off, especially at the corners and edges, but a simple case will help it stay looking fresh & So on.!
