Mobile Technology

Lenovo's first LTE-capable device, the Vibe Z, among new smartphone releases

Lenovo's first LTE-capable device, the Vibe Z, among new smartphone releases
Lenovo's first 4G device, the Vibe Z, measures 7.9 mm (0.31 in) thick, weighs 147 g (5.1 oz) and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD IPS display
Lenovo's first 4G device, the Vibe Z, measures 7.9 mm (0.31 in) thick, weighs 147 g (5.1 oz) and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD IPS display
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The phone measures 9.2 mm (0.36 in) in thickness and like the S650, allows for extra storage with a 32 GB MiicroSD removable card
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The phone measures 9.2 mm (0.36 in) in thickness and like the S650, allows for extra storage with a 32 GB MiicroSD removable card
The A859 model features a 5-inch 1280 x 720 IPS display
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The A859 model features a 5-inch 1280 x 720 IPS display
Though much the same as the S930 in terms of technical specifications, storage of the S650 can be expanded through an external 32 GB Micro-SD card
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Though much the same as the S930 in terms of technical specifications, storage of the S650 can be expanded through an external 32 GB Micro-SD card
The smaller S650 model features a 4.7 in qHD (960x540) display and weighs just 126 g (4.44 oz)
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The smaller S650 model features a 4.7 in qHD (960x540) display and weighs just 126 g (4.44 oz)
Despite its larger size, the S930 features only 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, half that of the Vibe Z
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Despite its larger size, the S930 features only 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, half that of the Vibe Z
The S930 weighs 170 g (6 oz) is 8.7 mm (0.34 in) thick and offers a larger display in the form of a 6-inch HD 1280 x 720 touchscreen
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The S930 weighs 170 g (6 oz) is 8.7 mm (0.34 in) thick and offers a larger display in the form of a 6-inch HD 1280 x 720 touchscreen
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Lenovo's first 4G device, the Vibe Z, measures 7.9 mm (0.31 in) thick, weighs 147 g (5.1 oz) and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD IPS display
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Lenovo's first 4G device, the Vibe Z, measures 7.9 mm (0.31 in) thick, weighs 147 g (5.1 oz) and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD IPS display
View gallery - 8 images

China-based electronics giant Lenovo is set to showcase its new series of smartphones at CES, including its first LTE-enabled handset, the Vibe Z. The company launched six models at last year's event, and is looking to continue its expansion into markets outside China by unveiling another four devices this week.

The company's first 4G device, the Vibe Z, measures 7.9 mm (0.31 in) thick and weighs 147 g (5.1 oz), sporting a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with a pixel density of 400 ppi (pixels per inch). Running Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad 2.2 GHz core processor, the device contains 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.

The phone includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and is powered by a 3,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery, which the company says will afford it a generous 33 hour talk time. The device also features a 13-megapixel rear camera with an f1.8 aperture lens and a 5-megapixel front camera, supported by Lenovo's Super Camera and Super Gallery image editing apps.

To accompany the Vibe Z, Lenovo's will debut three other devices with varying sizes and prices, though none of these are LTE-capable. The S930 weighs 170 g (6 oz) is 8.7 mm (0.34 in) thick and offers a larger display in the form of a 6-inch HD (1280 x 720) touchscreen. Despite its larger size, the S930 features only 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, half that of the Vibe Z.

The S930 weighs 170 g (6 oz) is 8.7 mm (0.34 in) thick and offers a larger display in the form of a 6-inch HD 1280 x 720 touchscreen
The S930 weighs 170 g (6 oz) is 8.7 mm (0.34 in) thick and offers a larger display in the form of a 6-inch HD 1280 x 720 touchscreen

To compliment the larger screen, it boasts two front-facing speakers supporting Dolby Digital Plus DS1, suggesting a design with a media-consuming user in mind. The phone is powered by a MediaTek 6582 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor and runs Android 4.2.

The smaller version, the S650 model, features a 4.7-inch qHD (960 x 540) display and weighs in at 126 g (4.44 oz). It is much the same as the S930 in terms of technical specifications, though storage can be expanded through an external 32 GB Micro-SD card and it is powered by a 200 mAh lithium polymer battery, which the company says will allow for a talk time of up to 8 hours.

Splitting the difference between these two is the so-called "All Around" A859 model. It is powered by a 2,250 mAh lithium polymer battery and features a 5-inch HD (1280 x 720) IPS display. Measuring 9.2 mm (0.36 in) in thickness it also allows for extra storage via a 32 GB MicroSD removable card. These differences aside, the device has much the same specs as the other two non-LTE models.

The Vibe Z will be available from February in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines starting at US$549. The S930, S650 and A859 start at $319, $229 and $219 respectively, with the company stating on their website that they are available immediately "in countries where Lenovo smartphones are sold."

Source: Lenovo

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2 comments
2 comments
MarylandUSA
Too bad that the 6-inch model has only 1 GB of RAM. That's the only weak spot of my Galaxy Note 1; I keep 19 widgets open, and the RAM is constantly topping out and swapping out, even though I use a great RAM manager. But then, non-power users may do just fine.
The Skud
19 different widgets? I would investigate some way of increasing your GB count. Could an IT guy add a chip? Or would simply upgrading to a better model work for you?