Every year, Lenovo produces more and more different gadgets, filling almost all niches in the technology market. The brand has been around for many years, has a huge staff of employees, customers, and also ranks 268 in the Global Fortune ranking. As you can see from the range, the devices sometimes compete with each other. However, this company policy does not in any way affect the quality of the equipment produced.
In this article we will give a complete review of the Lenovo S8 a7600 smartphone. It should be noted that all the company’s equipment is divided into subgroups:
- s – gives emphasis on appearance and style;
- a – the most budget devices;
- p – professional gadgets (for business, etc.);
- vibe - expensive, designer variations of devices.
Specifications
Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 Specifications
| operating system | Android 4.4 |
| Screen | 10.1, TFT IPS, 1280×800 pixels, capacitive, multi-touch, glossy, 149 ppi |
| CPU | MediaTek MT8382 1300 MHz, 4 cores |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Flash memory | 16 GB |
| Memory card support | microSDHC (up to 32 GB) |
| Connectors | Micro-USB, Mini-SIM, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Camera | rear (5 MP) and front (2 MP) |
| Communication | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, GPS |
| Battery | 6340 mAh |
| Additionally | accelerometer, multi-touch up to 10 touch points, access point mode |
| Dimensions | 264×177×9 mm |
| Weight | 544 g |
| Price | 11990 RUR |
Lenovo S8 A7600 is a cute brother for K3 Note
Different phones are important, different phones are needed. Today is a review of a 5.5-inch powerful and stylish smartphone from Lenovo, a variation of the K3 Note with a different design. Why is he interesting? Let's see further. Lenovo phones are divided into series - affordable A, stylish S, “professional” P, premium designer Vibe... The only thing that was unclear was the positioning of the K series, it was initially an “almost top” series (Lenovo K900), but with a share of experiments and assumptions. Now the K series (or rather K3) includes both a budget class (Lenovo K3) and a “mid-range” class – Lenovo K3 Note. The hero of today's review completely mixes the A and S series - the smartphone is sold like the Lenovo S8 A7600. Why is that? We'll figure out. First of all, it’s worth saying and avoiding direct comparison with the Lenovo K3 Note - the a7600 model received similar characteristics in terms of processor, amount of RAM, camera, even the same battery and body layout... The K3 Note received a FullHD screen resolution, but the A7600 received much more attractive housing made of specially treated plastic. Thus, the main difference in smartphones will still be... design.
Specifications Lenovo S8 A7600
Processor MediaTek MT6752m 1.5 GHz, 64 bit, 8 cores, GPU Mali-T760 OS Android 5.0 Lollipop Screen 5.5″, 1280*720, IPS RAM 2 GB DDR3 ROM 16 GB + microSD up to 64 GB Communications and networks 2 nanoSIM, GSM 850/ 900/1800/1900MHz WCDMA 900/2100MHz TDD-LTE B38/B39/B40/B41 ; FDD-LTE 2100/1800 MHz
(band B1/B3) Communications Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS Cameras: Main 13 MP, front 5 MP Battery 3000 mAh Dimensions 152.6×76.2×7.99 mm Weight 150 G
There are two versions of the phone: A7600 and A7600M. The version with the index “M” is only for Chinese 4G operators - it works in TD LTE networks. A7600: GSM 900/1800/1900;WCDMA 900/1900/2100; FDD LTE 2100/1800 MHz A7600-m: GSM 900/1800/1900;TD-SCDMA 2020-2015/1880-1920; TD LTE b38/b39/b40/b41 MHz
Appearance and assembly
Supplied in a regular Lenovo box - simple cardboard, thick and high quality. Logo and characteristics, nothing else on the box.
The equipment includes a USB charger, up to 2 Amperes (charges a smartphone in 1.5 hours), a USB cable, and instructions in Chinese. It's a pity that the case isn't included - considering the glossy case, it would have come in handy.
The main feature of the Lenovo S8 A7600, which also relates it to the S line, is its design. Although the front panel is no different from the Lenovo K3 Note, but due to the metal-like side edges and the glossy back covered with a special anti-scratch coating, the smartphone looks much more solid and more expensive than the K3
The front part is the apotheosis of black rectangles. The front part beautifully merges into one surface, everything is covered with solid glass without a protrusion at the edges. Below the screen there are 3 touch keys (menu, home and back) without backlight. Most of it is occupied by a 5.5-inch screen; in my opinion, there is a lot of space at the top and bottom; the smartphone could have been made “lower.”
Above the screen there is a voice speaker, a camera peephole for “yourself”, the obligatory light and proximity sensors, as well as an LED for indicating notifications. The display colors can be customized through the menu, this is a nice plus of the smartphone.
The side edges are made of plastic, but it is very dense and can easily be confused with metal. The A7600 is very reminiscent of an iPhone 4 rolled out with a rolling pin, which suits it quite well.
The left side is empty, all the physical buttons on the right are power/lock and volume control keys. Reaching for the volume control is not very easy, given the size of the smartphone, even considering my hand is not small.
There is only a microphone slot at the bottom, and connectors for connecting a microUSB cable and a 3.5 mm headset are located at the top.
At the same time, the microUSB connector is quite deep and some chargers may not fit the length of the “pin”, it’s worth taking into account.
The back cover is the most controversial design point, it is glossy, plastic and just right to drink Borjomi out of grief and stock up on protective films...
However, the manufacturer claims that it is made using special technology and coated with a special coating so as not to pick up all scratches at once and not become covered with fingerprints.
In fact, the back cover, of course, very quickly becomes covered with fingerprints and catches scratches, although not as easily as it would initially seem - apparently the coating is indeed not easy. I recommend that owners buy a film for the back cover or a case to preserve its appearance.
The back cover contains a slot for a ringing speaker, as well as a camera eye and a dual LED flash.
The cover can be easily removed, just hook your finger on the edge; on the back of it we can see what appears to be a place for the NFC module. The structure of the case is the same as the Lenovo K3 Note, the stamping is the same.
Here we will find connectors for a microSD card, as well as for 2 microSIM cards.
Everyone's tastes are different, but the S8 A7600 can be called very, very pleasant and stylish. The assembly is excellent - there is no play or gaps, everything fits perfectly, although when removing it I am worried about the fragility of the back cover. The dimensions of the smartphone are not compact; you can hold it with one hand, but it’s better to use it with two. I carried my smartphone in my jacket because it sticks out of my trousers very much. The weight is very small - only 150 grams.
Comparison of dimensions with iPhone 6 and ZTE V5 Red Bull
Screen
A very high-quality 5.5-inch screen with HD resolution (1280*720), made using OGS technology, is used. The resolution is low for 5.5 inches, but I couldn’t see the pixels, and in general it’s very pleasant to work with the screen. The color rendition is excellent, the screen is of excellent quality and there is nothing to show for it in this smartphone. Even though the K3 Note and many other smartphones in this price segment use FullHD, I think this is an unnecessary load on the processor and battery; the image improvement is not so noticeable compared to HD. Therefore, using only HD resolution, in my opinion, is not a minus at all in this case.
The screen supports 5 touches, touches are processed accurately, and we don’t see any problems with the screen’s operation when charging. The screen does not fade at angles - IPS technology is used.
There is an auto-brightness adjustment, the brightness reserve is high, even in the sun the picture is clearly visible.
Screen comparison with ZTE V5 Red Bull
ZTE on the right, A7600 on the left
The screen is protected by glass (the manufacturer is not specified), it protects well from scratches - during the 2-week test, no scratches or chips appeared, although the smartphone was not worn very carefully. Although it is better to stick the film on, on my Honor 4 Play a scratch appeared even on the protective glass, albeit after six months.
Battery
The same battery is used as in the Lenovo K3 Note with a capacity of 3000 mAh.
The impressions from the battery are twofold.
Thanks to the use of a modern processor and low screen resolution, the smartphone works for quite a long time. The Antutu battery test demonstrates the same thing - an excellent indicator! The smartphone will be able to show video for 5.5-6 hours at full volume. But there are some questions about the standby mode. Using the firmware from the seller (very crude, I must say), the smartphone “gobbled up” as much as 10 percent of its charge overnight. After updating to a more recent official firmware, the “zhor” decreased to 4 percent. Both tests were carried out without a SIM card, with communications turned off. When using a smartphone, its charge will last for a confident 1.5-2 days, the large screen and not the best coverage of 4th generation networks take its toll; LTE, even in Moscow, still leaves much to be desired. It is worth making allowance for the fact that the device is new and firmware optimization is still ahead. It is also encouraging that in Russia, at a price 2 times more expensive, a complete analogue of the smartphone in the body of the K3 Note has appeared - Lenovo A7000.
Communications and communications
Once again about versions.
A7600 and A7600M. The version with the index “M” is only for Chinese 4G operators - TD LTE only. A7600: GSM 900/1800/1900;WCDMA 900/1900/2100; FDD LTE 2100/1800 MHz A7600-m: GSM 900/1800/1900;TD-SCDMA 2020-2015/1880-1920; TD LTE b38/b39/b40/b41 MHz I have the A7600 version, and since in Moscow MTS works with LTE at B3 frequencies, LTE also worked for me, and it worked perfectly!
Test late at night in Moscow in an office area Test during the day in a dense office area No problems with network loss were noticed at all, the smartphone clings perfectly to the network, sometimes catching it even where the Mlais M52 and ZTE Red Bull V5 passed.
Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0 with OTG function, GPS are also supported, but NFC is not here. 2 SIM cards, one radio module. Accordingly, only one SIM card can be on the Internet at a time, but 4G works in both slots and is switched programmatically in the settings. The smartphone clings to the connection very tightly, my signal was never lost during testing, it even seemed that 4G worked faster than on other smartphones, although this may be due to the LTE B3 frequency. The call quality is extremely pleasant - the voice speaker is loud, the interlocutor's voice is natural. My interlocutor never complained about the quality of communication.
Navigation and GPS
Each new generation of MediaTek chips promises “better” GPS performance, but knowledgeable people understand that, as usual, the problem will be in optimization by the manufacturer and the antenna in the smartphone itself. Alas, GPS performance in the A7600 is still not ideal. Although MTK 6752 supports work with GLONASS and Chinese BeiDou in addition to American GPS (and they really work - tested on another smartphone), for some reason the Lenovo S8 A7600 refused to accept satellites other than GPS.
The accuracy of Qualcomm is still far away; in poor visibility conditions the signal was sometimes lost and began to lead through forests, fields and backups, although in 90 percent of cases everything was ok. In general, the navigation work in general is already better than it was previously with MTK, but it’s very far from Qualcomm...
Camera
The smartphone has 13 megapixel cameras for the main one and 5 megapixels for the front one.
The cameras pleased me. It shoots quite well even in auto mode, but for those skilled in working “manually” this will be a godsend. The camera does excellent macro and does not get lost in low light conditions. At night, noise increases significantly, detail rapidly deteriorates, but a smartphone was not called a camera phone, and night shots are very difficult even for cameras. The overall conclusion is that the camera in the A7600 is one of the best I've seen. Examples of photos (many)
Performance and tests
The smartphone is based on the MT6752m processor, which is a reduced frequency MT6752 (1.5 GHz versus 1.7 GHz).
Nothing else was touched, even a GPU with the same performance - 8 cores, GPU Mali-760... The processor is accompanied by 2 GB of RAM, which is enough at the moment “for the eyes”. In Antutu, the smartphone scores slightly less points than the MT6752, here it is about 42-43 thousand, while the MT6752 has 45-47 thousand.
Test screenshots
The smartphone works quickly, I did not notice any lags or slowdowns. The smartphone can digest all modern games quite easily, so playing GTA in the latest versions will not be a problem.
Software features
The smartphone runs Android 5.0 OS and uses Lenovo's proprietary VibeUI interface version 2.5. A very detailed review of the shell is available on mobile-review. Chinese firmware is not stable, but again we are pleased to see its brother on sale in Russia - the Lenovo A7000, the firmware for which the craftsmen from w3bsit3-dns.com have already transferred to the A7600.
Multimedia and sound
The manufacturer claims to use Dolby Atmos technology.
With the help of Dolby Atmos, the presented new product is capable of “transmitting the movement of objects with sound.” Sounds appear in all their diversity, their slightest shades are conveyed: from the lowest to the highest tones” (source - Lenovo press release). Additionally, Dolby Atmos ensures that all audio elements are heard at a more even volume level. The sound quality in the headphones is really excellent, the sound is equally loud and pleasant through the speaker, if anyone needs to listen to music at the entrance)
Video review
Gaming and Productivity
conclusions
The smartphone turned out to be definitely pleasant.
This applies to design, screen, camera, battery. There are some questions about the firmware, but it’s only a matter of time, the smartphone is new. Yes, LTE will not work for everyone, but this is purely individual. As a result, the Lenovo S8 A7600 is an excellent smartphone for those who want to get decent quality at a low price. The same recent ZTE Blade S6 left much less pleasant impressions. Pros: - Design and build - Great screen - Great camera - Battery - Good performance - Supports 2 SIM and LTE
Cons - Glossy back cover raises doubts about durability - “Raw” official firmware (as of May-June 2015) - GLONASS is not supported - limited support for LTE networks (B1/B3 only)
In fact, now both Lenovo K3 Note and Lenovo S8 A7600 cost approximately the same, the difference is plus or minus 10 dollars. What to choose from 2 smartphones is a rather complicated question; Lenovo K3 has a FullHD resolution screen and LTE B7 support. But on the other hand, such a resolution creates additional load on the processor and battery, without bringing significant advantages in return. In general, the main difference between smartphones is design. Some (like me) will like the A7600's design much more than the K3. Therefore, in the end, we will choose with our hearts. After all, this is not an Elephone for 200+ dollars 
Where to buy a white smartphone for $164
A white smartphone can be bought at the same Pandawill for only $164 using the coupon PWLENOVOS8W (price without coupon is $194).
This is where I end the review, read my other reviews here -
There will be more soon.
You can write in the comments what else would be interesting to test and view, maybe we’ll order it.
And once upon a time there was a good tradition on the site to end the review with your living creatures. Shall we try to revive it?)
Kote
It’s extremely difficult to catch the beast in the frame - it only doesn’t move when it’s sleeping. But when she sleeps, it’s also unclear, because at night she dances on the bed, cabinets, curtains... That’s why the photo is a little blurry)
Contents of delivery
The Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 is delivered in a beautiful white box, on the front side of which the tablet computer itself is depicted. After you open it, the first thing you will see is a device in film. Putting it aside, you will see a 1.5 A charging adapter on the right side of the box. On the left there will be a USB cable, as well as a user manual. Nothing else will be in the box. At first you might think that the package is rather meager, but on the other hand, what else do you want to see in the box? Today, all tablets and even smartphones come with just such a kit.
Equipment
Lenovo has been in the mobile device market for a long time and has already been able to gather a sufficient number of fans. I knew in advance that I would not get a “pig in a poke.” I bought the Lenovo A7600 for 6,000 rubles and it arrived to me within three weeks.
The box was not wrinkled during the trip, the equipment was not damaged. The packaging is very simple, made of gray cardboard, with the company name and smartphone model on the front side.
The equipment corresponds to the price:
- gadget;
- USB cable;
- Charger;
- manual
The phone was already covered with a protective film, in addition, the seller gave me another one as a gift.
Screen
The Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 tablet has a 10-inch TFT IPS glossy screen. The picture is quite clear and pleasant. You can watch movies or play games very comfortably on it, since the device has a widescreen display. The brightness is also quite high. Therefore, it will not be difficult to read the text in the sun. Of course, you can’t watch a video quietly, but in bright lighting, not all devices produce a high-quality image.
The tablet has a good screen for its price range
A particularly important point to discuss will be the viewing angles - they are quite small. This means that you will see a beautiful picture only by placing the device directly in front of you. At an angle, distortion will already appear on the display. But for some this is not critical, so it is better to go to the nearest hardware and electronics store and look at the tablet screen in action.
Performance
Performing simple tasks such as browsing the Internet, online movies, listening to music will not be difficult for this tablet computer. After all, the Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 is equipped with a quad-core MediaTek MT8382 1300 MHz processor and 1 GB of RAM. However, if you want to play resource-intensive games, then let's see how the tablet behaves when launching the game GT Racing 2. Our race opens without any problems. The game also runs quite smoothly, there are no freezes or unexpected closing of the application.
Memory
The device has 2 GB of RAM. Nowadays, such a volume is found in almost every phone. Operating system tasks require less than 1 GB, the rest is spent on user needs.
2 RAMs ensure stable operation without freezes or lags.
But the developers saved on permanent memory by installing only 8 GB. Of course, this cannot be called a huge problem, but I would like 16 GB. However, you can expand the memory using memory cards, which I immediately did.
Multimedia capabilities
Since the Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 tablet has the Android 4.4 operating system installed, you will not have problems with multimedia. Standard audio and video players support most popular formats. But if you wish, you can install third-party applications that are available for download from the Play Market application store, which is rich in variety and number of programs. Also, many may find the FM tuner option included on this tablet useful.
The tablet is in no way inferior to its competitors when working with modern formats
You can also note the sound quality of the tablet thanks to the good speakers installed in the device. They are located on the front side of the device and belong to the stereo category. The speakers are quite loud and even provide some surround sound. Therefore, you will not have any discomfort when watching videos on YouTube or movies.
operating system
The manufacturer installed Android 4.2 OS on the tablet. For 2015, this is a rather outdated system, although stable. If desired, the user can independently update the device to a more modern version or flash it. The firmware can be found on the manufacturer's official website. Programs for the tablet will have to be installed from the Play Market, although some are already pre-installed. For example, Skype or Kingston Office. You don’t have to download them anymore, you can safely use them. Some tablet programs may slow down slightly if you do not update the operating system to a more recent version. This should be taken into account in advance, even before installation. It is recommended to update the system immediately after purchase, so that using the tablet brings only pleasure.
Battery and operating time
Let's move on to talking about the operating time of the device in our short review of the Lenovo IdeaTab A7600. The battery capacity is 6340 mAh. That is, it is designed for nine hours in operating mode and 50 hours in standby mode. This is what the manufacturer says. But how will the device behave in practice?
After fully charging, installing a few games and programs via Wi-Fi (some of them are quite heavy) and testing the speed of some arcade games, the device gives four days of standby time. This despite the fact that it was constantly connected to the wireless network. In fact, this works out to be about a hundred hours, although the manufacturer stated 50 hours in standby mode.
Camera
As stated in the technical specifications, the Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 tablet has two cameras. The front has a resolution of 2 megapixels, and the rear has a resolution of 5 megapixels. The device in question records video in HD quality. In fact, the camera shoots quite well for an average tablet. This also applies to the front camera, which will allow you to communicate with relatives or friends via Skype. The only minor drawback is the lack of flash. But remember that the tablet is not a digital camera. Therefore, you don’t need to expect high quality photos from it.
3G version
The version described above only supported the Wi-Fi communication standard. And this creates certain difficulties when using the device where there is no free wireless Internet. It is noteworthy that there is also a version with 3G. The manufacturers took care of this. The Lenovo A7600 N tablet has a slot for a SIM card. Standard size, no need to cut anything. The stability of the signal depends on which operator is used, since the coverage area is different for everyone. And the quality of communication too. In general, the 3G model is no different from the previous version, the “filling” remains exactly the same, but the price is slightly higher: mobility requires investment. Therefore, the version with a SIM card slot was three thousand rubles more expensive than the similar one with only wireless Internet (Wi-Fi).
Competitors
Everyone has competitors, and the Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 is no exception. The tablet market is very wide, and there are also plenty of manufacturers. And if you consider that each of them produces more than one device a year, then there is no shortage of tablet computers on store shelves. You can look towards the MemoPad line from Asus or the Galaxy series from Samsung. If you compare the price, then there are no other devices for the same amount. Therefore, some things will be cheaper, some more expensive.
Speakers and sound
There are two speakers on the front side of the tablet, which provides sound to the user, and not from him. But during use, many owners noted that one of the speakers periodically ends up covered with their fingers, which worsens the sound. The latter, by the way, is not very good: there is not enough bass. That's why some tracks don't sound very interesting. And in some places it’s even flat and dull. But good headphones can correct the situation, as long as they have bass and the ability to control the equalizer. In this case, even game explosions and pops will seem deafening and realistic.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of this model, of course, include the presence of a 3G module. The Internet will always be at hand, even if there are no wireless networks available. Also quite a strong side of the device is its battery and operating time, and the fourth Android. Don't forget about the design of the device. It is pleasant to hold and use.
A significant disadvantage is the small viewing angles of the Lenovo display. But if this criterion is not so critical for you, then you can completely close your eyes to it. Fans of high-quality images on the display will not be very comfortable.
Lenovo IdeaTab A7600 has everything you need for work and play
Appearance
The design of the smartphone is quite interesting. The front side is decorated with a huge display, which is surrounded by small frames. At the bottom there are three touch buttons responsible for controlling the gadget. At the top there is a speaker and several sensors. The back side is decorated with the Lenovo inscription. Here I found the camera peephole and speakers. The lid is made of plastic, which very quickly collects dirt and scratches. Although the manufacturer claimed that it is protected by a special coating. In order to protect the new device, I immediately purchased a case. The back cover is removed, and under it: a battery, a microSD port and two microSIM ports.
The side edges are made in the form of silver metal and look quite expensive. The lock key and volume rocker are on the right side. The top edge is occupied by a charging port and a 3.5 Jack socket. If you look at the smartphone from the side, it resembles an iPhone 4.
The assembly of the smartphone is performed at a high level - there are no creaks or backlashes. The size is quite large, which is why it is not very convenient to use it with one hand. I never expected to buy a Lenovo A7600 for 6,000 rubles and get such an attractive smartphone.
