Lenovo Vibe K5 Note First Impressions - Metal And Beautiful!

Earlier, Lenovo Philippines has officially launched the new Lenovo Vibe K5 series which includes the flagship of the line dubbed as the Vibe K5 Note.

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note

Related: Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus And Vibe K5 Note With Free AntVR And Control Launched In PH, Priced At 8,999 And 11999 Pesos Respectively!

What's interesting here is it uses a nearly all metal unibody design and the highest specs among the Vibe K5 series. Apart from that, the version we got here touts a bigger RAM configuration at 3 GB against the usual 2 GB variant in other countries.

Plus Lenovo stepped up their bundle by adding a TheaterMax controller that was added with the same AntVR headset found with the Vibe K4 Note before.

Note: Lenovo Philippines also mentioned an update that the K5 Note will be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS this August.

Lenovo K5 Note Specs

Display: 5.5 Inch FHD LTPS 1920 x 1080 resolution w/ Gorilla Glass 3 protection at 403 ppi

CPU: 1.8 GHz 64 Bit Helio P10 octa core processor

GPU: Mali T860

RAM: 3 GB

ROM: 16 GB expandable via micro SD card slot

Back Camera: 13 MP f/2.2 w/ PDAF and dual tone LED flash

Selfie Camera: 8 MP FF

Battery: 3,500 mAh

OS: Android 5.1 Lollipop w/ Vibe UI upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Connectivity: WiFi, 3G, LTE w/ VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, A GPS, GLONASS

Sensors: Gravity, proximity, magnetic, light, gyroscope

Others: Fingerprint sensor, Dolby ATMOS surround sound, 1.5W stereo speakers (back), Colors: platinum silver, champagne gold

Dimensions: 152 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm

Weight: 165 g

Price: 11,999 Pesos

Build Quality / Design

Curved metal frame, microphone, main camera, dual LED flash, fingerprint scanner, and speakers found below

Compared against the Vibe K4 Note, the Vibe K5 Note is a clear step-up in terms of build and aesthetics. This device now rocks a full metal unibody design with slightly chamfered edges and nice sleek curves at the back. In front, the sharp looking 5.5 inch FHD screen is protected with a good layer of Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

The metal unibody frame is sleek tough at the same time.

It feels dense enough, doesn't feel cheap, and has a scratches resistant screen. Overall, this phone should be tough enough (tougher than plastic phones) to withstand casual daily abuse.

3.5 mm jack on top (on the screen part there's an 8 MP selfie sensor)

Another mic and micro USB port below

Ejectable SIM slot at right

Power button and volume rocker at right

Design-wise, it reminds me of both Huawei GR5 and ZTE Blade A711. It's elegant and simply nice on the eyes. It has just enough back / corner curves, average slimness at 8.5 mm, and a fingerprint scanner at the back that usually adds more flare to the overall look of the phone. It's screen b

Ergonomically, this device is just fine. As usual, phones with this type of design rocks a great type of grip due to its great curves and decent amount of heft. All the ports and button placements were well thought-off and engineered.

The 3.5 mm jack is on top, single mic / micro USB port below, regular power button and volume rocker is at left, the ejectable SIM (hybrid) slot is at right, and fingerprint scanner / speaker at the back.

It would just been better if the speakers is located in front just like the K4 Note. However, given its nicer overall feel, I'll still prefer this over most Lenovo phones in build / aesthetics alone.

Camera Samples

Rear camera sample 

Selfie camera sample

As of the moment

Antutu score of over 46K

Lenovo's Vibe K5 Note is impressive out of the box. The use of metal frame is a clear step-up in terms of build, looks, and ergonomics. Not to mention that this now has a better specs and beefier bundle.

So far, I'm pretty impressed with this set as it seems to be one of the better contenders in the sub-12K range.

Further testing is needed though to validate our earlier claims. We'll ask for a test unit so stay tuned for our full review if ever.