The manufacturer Lenovo has firmly established itself in the mobile device market. The range of gadgets is replenished with new models of different price segments. In this review we will talk about the Lenovo Vibe X2 (Vibe X update), and we will also talk about the differences between the Lenovo Vibe X2 and X2 Pro.

Design

The case consists of several layers, the boundaries of which are clearly visible, which is the calling card of this gadget. Each layer has a different color design. The buyer can choose between White, Black and Red versions of the smartphone. The phone is comfortable to hold in your hand. The front panel is covered with special protective glass.

On the front there is a front camera, a speaker and three touch buttons. At the back there is a main camera and flash. There is a headphone output at the top, and a microUSB output at the bottom.

On the right side there is a power button and a volume rocker. On the left side there is a slot for a microSIM card.

Display

The 5-inch IPS display of the smartphone has an HD resolution of 1920×1080. Even in bright light, working with the phone will be comfortable thanks to the anti-glare coating. The screen has a good reserve of brightness and reproduces colors well. Overall, the display is great for a variety of everyday tasks.

Cameras

Lenovo Vibe X2 has a 13 MP main camera and a 5 MP front camera. The image quality of the main camera is quite good. Video is recorded in HD format.

Hardware and software

The MediaTek MT6595M processor with 8 cores and 2 GB of RAM is responsible for the performance of the smartphone. You can run demanding games on your phone, which is a definite advantage. 32 GB of memory is allocated for data storage; this volume cannot be expanded due to the lack of a slot for microSD cards.

The phone runs on Android 4.4.2 with Vibe UI shell. The interface now has some cool widgets and options. Application icons can be organized using folders directly on the desktop.

Autonomy

Lenovo Vibe X2 is equipped with a 2300 mAh battery. This is relatively little considering the cost of the device. The review showed that the battery life of the smartphone is not very high. In maximum load mode, the gadget lasted only 2.5 hours. With moderate use, the phone will last about 6 hours without recharging. You can watch the video for just over 4 hours.

Comparison with Vibe X2 Pro

To briefly describe the X2 Pro model, we can say that it is a slightly enlarged Vibe X2 with two 13 MP cameras, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor and a 5.3-inch display. The main differences between the models are presented in the table.

Conclusions:

Lenovo Vibe X2 and Vibe X2 Pro are very interesting representatives of the middle class. They have an unusual design, a good display, and cool hardware. The only negative is low autonomy. If you choose between these two models, it is better to take the Pro, as you can expand the flash memory up to 128 GB using a microSD card.

Characteristics

• Operating system: Android 4.4 (VIBE UI shell)
• Network: GSM, HSDPA+, LTE (microSIM)
• Processor: eight-core, 2 GHz, based on Mediatek MT6595m platform
• Graphics subsystem: PowerVR G600
• RAM: 2 GB
• Data storage memory: 32 GB
• Memory card slot: no
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi (b/g/n/) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP, LE), microUSB (USB 2.0) for charging/synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset
• Screen: IPS LCD, 5” diagonal, resolution 1920x1080 pixels, density 441 ppi, automatic backlight level adjustment
• Main camera: 13 MP with autofocus, LED flash, video recorded in 1080p
• Front camera: 5 MP fixed focal length
• Navigation: GPS (A-GPS support), Glonass
• Additionally: accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor
• Battery: Li-Pol capacity 2300 mAh
• Dimensions: 140.2 x 68.6 x 7.3 mm
• Weight: 120 grams

Introduction

The first two or three years on the smartphone market became a kind of testing ground for the Chinese Lenovo - the company produced mainly inexpensive devices, “diluting” them from time to time with top-end smartphones. In Russia, a certain shift for Lenovo began last year with the flagship K900 - in quantitative terms, the device, of course, did not break records, but thanks to the combination of almost top-end characteristics at that time, a high-quality thin metal case and a low price, the smartphone became popular and some time was heard. Then there was the Vibe X and several other devices, but it is the Vibe X that is interesting as a clear example of the direction the company has chosen. A middle-class device, with good, but not fantastic parameters, a universal design (so that most people like it or does not cause a completely negative reaction) and an adequate price (though some time after launch, and not at the start).

In terms of approach, Lenovo Vibe X2 completely repeats the previous model - it is a mid-class smartphone with a good combination of price and characteristics. Although from the point of view of appearance these are completely different devices, and there is no talk of any continuity of design here.

Design, body materials

The design of the Lenovo Vibe X2 is based on the idea of ​​a multilayer bar - when you look at the smartphone, you get the feeling that it was assembled from three thin panels and a panel with a screen and protective glass was added to them. Moreover, the panels are of different colors.

It looks at least unusual and fresh, and from the implementations in the past, the only thing that comes to my mind is the sample of the Finnish company Jolla, on which they launched their operating system. But Jolla in this design with a proprietary OS is unlikely to interest many for 20,000 rubles, and X2 will soon be available, cheaper and on Android.

There are a lot of color options for the Lenovo Vibe X2, but we are only interested in those that will “come” to Russia. The gold version, which you see in the photos in the review, will go on sale in the very near future. Then the X2 will appear in white and red, perhaps before the end of the year, and maybe at the beginning of next year. Finally, in 2015 there will be a black model, and there is a chance that they will also bring a version with a lid made of bamboo or other wood. As for the orange model, the Russian office has no plans for it yet.

The main material of the case is smooth plastic, the “back” and side ends are made of it, the front panel is made of protective glass. The body shape is classic - a compact “brick” without any bends or roundings. The protective glass occupies the entire surface, and the key markings are not visible until you turn on the screen, so when turned off, the front side of the Vibe X2 is just a black sheet.

By all direct and indirect signs: bright design, “multi-layering”, different color options, relative compactness and low weight of the body - Lenovo Vibe X2 is a youth smartphone and is not designed at all for a technically savvy audience, that is, most definitely not for geeks. The company notes that the Vibe X2 was made as a smartphone for everyone, it is a mass device, when choosing which a person should be attracted not by a single parameter or set of characteristics, but by the combination of design and some other features. If we talk about whether Lenovo managed to do this or not, evaluating only the design of the Vibe X2, the answer is unequivocal - yes, it was possible.

Assembly

The device is monolithic - there are no removable elements, with the exception of a tray for a microSIM card, so there are no complaints about the build quality and reliability of the case.

As for the body getting dirty, I had a golden-colored device, and it didn’t get dirty at all, or I simply didn’t notice any fingerprints or hand marks. In general, we can say that the case is practical.

Dimensions

The smartphone cannot be called the most compact among models with a 5" screen, but it is still close to small devices in this category. There is a relatively thin bezel around the screen, and there is just enough space above and below the screen to accommodate the necessary elements, but without fanaticism.

• (5"") - 140.2 x 68.6 x 7.3 mm, 120 grams
• Apple iPhone 5S– 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, 112 grams
• HTC One (M8)(5"") - 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm, 160 grams
• Nokia Lumia 930(5"") - 137 x 71 x 9.8 mm, 167 grams
• Samsung Galaxy S5(5.1"") - 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm, 145 grams
• Xiaomi Mi4(5"") - 139.2 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm, 149 grams

Compared to Meizu MX4

Compared to Xiaomi Mi4m

Compared to HTC One (M8)

The device fits perfectly in the hand, despite the lack of smooth lines and graceful curves - it is reliable and does not slip. The device also fits in your pocket without any problems and does not remind you of itself with every step.

Controls

The controls in the smartphone are minimal - a short volume key on the right edge, a power key slightly lower, as well as a block of backlit touch buttons under the screen.

The hardware volume and power buttons are quite comfortable, with a hard, short press stroke. You can turn on the device not only with the power key, but also with a double tap on the screen, as in the LG G3, HTC One M8/E8, Meizu MX4 and some other smartphones. It's very convenient, actually.

On the left edge there is a slot with a tray for a microSIM card located inside. To remove the tray, you need to use the included paperclip.

At the top end there is a 3.5 mm mini-jack for headphones, at the bottom there is a microUSB connector and a microphone.

On the “back” of the smartphone there is a contact pad for connecting accessories (a case with a battery, for example), as well as the main camera on top and the calling speaker, hidden by a grille, on the bottom.

The buttons below the display are illuminated with white backlighting, from left to right there are the Menu, Home and Back keys. The backlight can be set to run for 3 seconds, continuously, or simply turn it off. You cannot reassign actions assigned to buttons, this is a minus.

On the front side, above the screen, there is a speaker, light and proximity sensors, as well as a 5-megapixel front camera (no autofocus) and a light indicator.

Screen

Lenovo X2 uses an IPS LCD screen, diagonal - 5"", resolution - 1920x1080 pixels, density - 441 ppi. The screen is covered with protective Gorilla Glass.

In all respects, the screen in the device is not bad. There is a very good reserve of brightness (a special high-brightness mode), by setting it, you will get a smartphone with one of the brightest screens among IPS-matrix smartphones, maximum viewing angles and close to natural color rendition. The contrast may be a little lacking, and the picture seems a little pale, but in the screen settings you can manually set the hue and saturation of the image, and this solves the problem, allowing you to bring the color rendition and overall tone of the screen to a look that suits you.

Camera

The main camera in Lenovo Vibe X2 is 13 megapixel, with autofocus and flash, it can be used as a flashlight.

Unlike the top-end Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro, designed for geeks and people well versed in technology, where there were various detailed settings for the camera, there is nothing like that here. The device is aimed primarily at the mass market, and there are not many settings for the camera, which is logical. Although all the main parameters are, of course, customizable: white balance, shooting mode, ISO value.

There is a shooting mode with special effects.

The quality of the photos is quite good for my taste. It can be seen that the device uses some “enhancers” and the pictures are a little “tightened up”, but in general, this is not too noticeable. Of course, I wouldn’t compare the X2 with top-end devices in terms of photo quality, but it provides average quality photos.

	Apple iPhone 5

Shooting during the day:

Shooting with and without HDR:

HDR	Ordinary

Indoor shooting:

Shooting with effects:

Panorama:

The front camera has a resolution of 5 MP, there is no autofocus here. Outdoors you get good pictures, indoors it’s worse, but it’s okay. There are software improvements to correct facial tone and smooth the skin.

Video can be recorded in resolutions up to 1080p, the H.264 codec is used, and the recording speed is 30 frames per second. There is a fixed focus (you can change it by tapping on the screen) and a tracking focus mode.

Autonomous operation

The smartphone has a non-removable (on its own) Li-Pol battery with a capacity of 2300 mAh; for the most efficient use of the battery, you can also turn on the “smart saving” mode, which reduces the screen brightness and GPU performance.

In my usage scenario, the Lenovo X2 worked on average until the evening, that is, until 19-21 hours. The scenario is approximately the following: 1 hour of conversations, 10-20 text messages, Gmail, 3-4 hours of listening to music, 1-2 hours of active use of the mobile Internet (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Chrome), constant correspondence on WhatsApp throughout the day and Facebook messenger (at least an hour in total), photography.

The indicators are far from the best on the market; in terms of operating time, the smartphone is comparable to last year’s flagships; they also “survived” until the evening under load, but they were usually not enough for a full day, until night.

Is this a problem or not? If you choose a smartphone for active use: music, movies, constant Internet, and so on, then yes, probably 8-10 hours of work will not be enough, in this case you can buy an external battery for the device or look towards other models.

With the battery case, the Lenovo Vibe X2 becomes plumper and heavier, but overall it still remains compact and convenient due to the fact that without this accessory the model is very light and thin.

If the device is chosen as a smartphone for calls, reading mail, correspondence using networks and occasionally taking photographs and some other tasks, it will be enough for a full working day and beyond, until night. Lenovo emphasizes that the X2 is being created specifically for the mass market and its main users will be people who will use the device’s functions occasionally, and not non-stop; for such users there should be no problems with operating time.

Platform, memory

The smartphone is built on the new MediatTek MT6595m platform with big.LITTLE technology from ARM, “inside” a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 processor and a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7, PowerVR G600 graphics subsystem. The device has 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. There is no slot for a microSD card.

Performance, tests

Both in synthetic tests (Antutu) and in daily use, the Lenovo Vibe X2 shows excellent results in terms of speed. The interface works smoothly and without lags, switching between programs occurs quickly, clearly and without jerks. The device easily plays FullHD video in high quality and allows you to comfortably play all games available for the Android platform. In this regard, the new platform from Mediatek has no problems.

Under normal load (calls, mail, Internet via 3G/4G), the smartphone hardly heats up; with a constantly active Wi-Fi connection (watching a movie via a web service, for example) or during a long game, the device heats up, but I can’t call this heating is critical or too noticeable.

Interfaces

The smartphone works in GSM, HSDPA and LTE (4G) networks. In Russia and Europe, Vibe X2 is presented in one version with a single slot for a SIM card.

USB. To synchronize with a PC and transfer data, the included microUSB cable is used. USB 2.0 interface. There is no USB-OTG support.

Bluetooth. Built-in Bluetooth 4.1 module with support for A2DP and LE profiles.

Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n). The smartphone has a dual-band Wi-Fi module, it works flawlessly. Like any other modern Android device, Lenovo Vibe X2 supports the function of “sharing” the mobile Internet via Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi router).

Navigation

Support for GPS/A-GPS and Glonass is implemented through a built-in solution on the Mediatek chip; searching for satellites takes about a minute. The device comes pre-installed with Google Maps.

Software features and software

The smartphone runs Android 4.4.2; the interface uses the proprietary VIBE UI (Lenovo Launcher), which is similar in its basic idea to MIUI. The same arrangement of all shortcuts on desktop screens without a separate application menu, deleting programs by holding your finger on the icon and pressing the cross above it after.

From the lock screen you can quickly access calls, messages or launch the camera. If you listen to music through an audio player (Google Music, for example), the album cover and music control buttons are displayed on the lock screen.

The “curtain” of notifications is interesting. There is no division into tabs, and the buttons for controlling interfaces and settings are not all shown, but only in a small area. If necessary, you can pull the tab inside the curtain and pull out all the tags.

In the settings, you can change the set of shortcuts displayed here and their position inside the “curtain”.

There are design themes for Lenovo Launcher, but the basic idea is the same as in MIUI: you can change the entire theme, or use individual components from different themes, take icons somewhere, a picture somewhere, and ringtones in a third theme .

The set of applications in the Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro includes all the programs that may be needed for comfortable work with the device out of the box, including a file manager, applications from Yandex, Skype, and so on.

Here I want to grumble a little about the fact that in addition to useful applications, the device comes pre-installed with a lot of different, unnecessary, in my opinion, software. New devices from Lenovo suffer from this feature, as do Samsung products, for example. Just look at the screenshots, all the programs in the folders here are the basic set:

Basic music player for Android – Google Music.

Conclusion

The signal reception quality in the smartphone is typical for modern Android-based models - I can’t single it out for better or worse. The volume of the speaker is slightly above average, there is some reserve. The volume of the ringer is also above average, it is loud and clear, and if you choose the right melodies, you definitely won’t miss an incoming call, even if you are in a very noisy place like the subway. The vibration alert is average in strength, and the device itself is light, so its vibration is barely felt in your pocket.

In Russia, the official price of Lenovo Vibe X2 is 15,000 rubles (14,990), at least until the end of the year the company is working at the previously fixed rate, and there will be no increase in prices for devices in any case, which, against the backdrop of rising costs of smartphones from some other manufacturers, is unconditional plus.

Among the competitors for the X2 in terms of cost-performance ratio, I would highlight the Meizu MX4 - this smartphone is equipped with a better camera, the Flyme shell is simpler, for my taste. On the other hand, this device is still noticeably larger (5.5" screen) and is designed more for those who need a smartphone with a huge screen. There is also the Xiaomi Mi4, also a born Chinese, comparable in size to the Lenovo Vibe X2 - it has a better camera, it is possible to use replaceable covers sometime in the future, but the Mi4 is more expensive (in the 16 GB version versus 32 GB for Lenovo) , does not support LTE and is not always stable yet, firmware is released weekly, but problems with MIUI occur. As a result, choosing between Lenovo Vibe X2 and Xiaomi Mi4, I would have chosen the X2 if my main requirement for a smartphone had not been for a camera.

Lenovo has created a balanced device for everyone - it has a good display, an acceptable quality camera and a convenient, without reservations, VIBE UI shell, as well as excellent performance and LTE support. Separately, it is necessary to note the interesting and non-standard design - today it is worth a lot. For some, the disadvantage will be the lack of a slot for a memory card, but the built-in 32 GB, I’m sure, will be more than enough for most. As for the operating time, if you use your smartphone very actively, then when choosing the Lenovo Vibe X2, you should immediately buy a branded case with a battery for it. If, using last year’s Android devices, you did not experience any problems, then the X2 with similar autonomy indicators is unlikely to disappoint.

Lenovo Vibe X2 A powerful Android smartphone in an elegant, lightweight body with support for high-speed 4G LTE networks in a three-layer design. Lenovo vibe x2 equipped with a powerful 8-core processor and Android 4.4 Kit Kat operating system. Of the main characteristics of Vibe X2 You can also highlight: a large 5-inch Full HD screen, a Li-polymer battery with a capacity of 2300 mAh, a main 13 MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, a front 5 MP camera for selfies and video calls, 32 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM . The powerful characteristics of Lenovo Vibe x2 will cope with any task, large RAM will ensure multitasking of the smartphone, support for the latest applications and games without freezing Vibe X2, and high-speed 4G LTE networks will allow you to comfortably watch online videos from the Internet on the large bright screen of Lenovo Vibe x2. For users who love to travel a lot, it is possible to use the Lenovo Vibe X2 as a GPS navigator; on its large screen you can select your destination on the map and plot the best route.

• Full specifications, and user reviews for Lenovo Vibe X2 see below.
• If you know the pros and cons of Lenovo Vibe x2 or you have useful information, useful tips for this smartphone, then you can share it with other users by adding your review below.
• Thank you for your responsiveness, additional information, useful tips Lenovo vibe x2!

Full specifications of Lenovo Vibe X2. Lenovo Vibe X2 specifications.

• SIM card quantity: 1 SIM card
• SIM card type: micro-SIM
• Vibe x2 case material: metal and plastic
• Software: Android OS 4.4 Kit Kat
• Processor: 8-core (4 cores 2 GHz + 4 cores 1.69 GB)
• Video processor: PowerVR G6200 MP4
• Display: 5.0 inches diagonal / Full HD / ppi (pixel density per inch of display)
• Machine. screen rotation: supports
• Vibe X2 camera: 13 MP / autofocus / LED flash
• Add. camera: 5 MP
• Video camera: yes
• Battery: 2300 mAh/ Li-polymer/ non-removable
• Talk time: up to 22 hours on 2G networks / up to 11.5 hours on 3G and 4G networks
• Standby time: up to 17 days on 2G networks, up to 16.5 days on 3G networks, up to 10.5 days on 4G networks
• Built-in memory: 32 GB
• RAM: 2 GB
• Memory card: -
• Bluetooth: 3.0 + 4.1 LE
• Wi-Fi: yes
• Wi-Fi hotspot: yes
• USB: yes/supports charging via USB
• Headphone jack: 3.5 mm.
• Navigation: GPS/ A-GPS
• 3G: supports
• 4G LTE: supports
• Sensors: accelerometer/light/proximity/gravity/E-Compass
• Fingerprint scanner: -
• Music player: yes
• Radio: FM radio
• Speakerphone: yes
• Dimensions: H.W.T 140.2 x 68.6 x 7.27 mm.
• Weight: 120 grams.

Lenovo Vibe X2 with case

Screen

The Vibe X2 has a 5-inch screen on an IPS matrix with Full HD resolution (1080x1920 pixels). There are no problems with the saturation and naturalness of colors. The range of brightness levels is also good, but the automatic backlight adjustment is too aggressive. It tries to increase dynamic contrast, but does a disservice: even not too dark images become almost unreadable under bright sunlight. You can turn on high brightness mode in the settings menu, but this noticeably affects battery life.

There is no air gap between the matrix and the protective glass - this design reduces reflections and increases brightness. But this solution has one big drawback: non-repairability. The larger the screen, the easier it is to break or at least scratch it. In the case of a conventional “air” design, the device can simply replace the protective glass with a touch layer. If you accidentally drop the Vibe X2, you will have to replace the entire display module along with the matrix, and this is several times more expensive.

In the dark, an unpleasant effect appears when the bottom of the screen is illuminated by LEDs under the touch keys - an obvious mistake by the designers.

At the IFA 2014 exhibition, Lenovo rolled out an unusual smartphone Vibe X2, the multilayer body of which was made in a gradient color palette. At the same time, the device turned out to be not only thin, but also quite light. Who would like this “puff pastry” was decided during its tasting by Vesti.High-Tech.

The design of smartphones, as a rule, does not please with variety. Most of them receive monoblock-type cases made of plastic and/or metal, in some cases supplemented with exotic materials such as bamboo or leather. Literally on one hand you can count the innovations that have affected the boring classic design of devices over the past few years. All the more noteworthy is Lenovo's efforts to create smartphones that are competitive not only in performance and price, but also attractive in appearance. Thus, the original, multi-layered and bright design distinguishes the new Vibe X2, which in a sense continues the glorious traditions of the “hip” flagship. Let us remind you that it is in the Vibe series that Lenovo assembles powerful and sophisticated smartphones.

Specifications

• Model: X2-EU
• OS: Android 4.4.2 with Vibe 2.0 UI shell
• Processor: 8-core MediaTek 6595M, ARM big.LITTLE GTS architecture (4x Cortex-A17 2.0 GHz + 4x Cortex-A7 1.5 GHz)
• Graphics coprocessor: PowerVR 6200 (450 MHz)
• RAM: 2 GB
• Data storage memory: 32 GB
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 3.0 + 4.1 LE, microUSB (USB 2.0) for charging/syncing, 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Screen: capacitive touch, IPS, 5-inch diagonal, resolution 1920x1080 pixels, density 441 pixels per inch, glove control
• Cameras: main -- 13 MP, BSI matrix, f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, flash, 4x zoom, video recording 1080p@30 fps, front 5 MP
• Network: 2G/3G/4G
• SIM card: one microSIM (3FF)
• Navigation: GPS/GLONASS, A-GPS
• Radio: FM tuner
• Sensors: gyroscope, compass, light and proximity sensors
• Battery: non-removable, lithium polymer, 2,300 mAh
• Colors: white, red, golden, dark gray
• Dimensions: 140.2x68.6x7.27 mm
• Weight: 120 grams

Design, ergonomics

In the new smartphone, they decided to abandon the streamlined shapes of last year’s model, which were replaced by slightly smoothed right angles of a regular parallelepiped (“brick”, in simple terms).

But, of course, the main feature of the Vibe X2 was its multilayer design - three thin color gradient panels are combined into a single monolith with a dark layer of screen with protective glass. A gradient here means a harmonious change from one layer color to another. In this case, the back panel can be painted white, red, gold or dark gray. Generally speaking, Vibe X2 became the first smartphone in the world to receive such an unusually layered design.

Instead of textured polycarbonate “metal-like”, as now, according to unofficial information, a magnesium alloy is used for the body (although, to be honest, it looks a lot like ordinary matte plastic). One way or another, the Vibe X2 turned out to be a little lighter than its predecessor - 120 g versus 121 g. At the same time, while maintaining a 5-inch display, the device shrank in size (140.2x68.6 mm versus 144x74 mm), but slightly “got better” (7.27 mm versus 6.9 mm). Most likely, the loss of slimness is still the price to pay for the multi-layered design.

The front side of the smartphone is completely covered with protective glass, in the upper part of which there is a “speech” speaker, front camera, light and proximity sensors, as well as a charging/notification indicator.

Below the display are dedicated backlit touch keys (Menu, Home and Back). Without the latter, with the screen off, the front side of the Vibe X2 is just a “black rectangle of Malevich.” There are no logos or other identifying marks on it.

On the right edge (on the middle layer) there is a power/lock button and a volume rocker,

and on the left there is a closed slot with a tray for a microSIM card. For its lock, a special key is included with the smartphone, which, however, can be easily replaced with a thin paper clip. The relatively large size of the tray is explained by the fact that it has reserved space for a second, nanoSIM card, which is required in the Asian version of the device (X2-TO).

The bottom end of the case is occupied by a microUSB connector and a hole for a “conversational” microphone,

and the top one is only a 3.5mm audio output jack for a matching headset or headphones.

Holes for the main camera lens, LED flash and additional microphone (noise reduction systems) are placed at the top of the rear panel, which is decorated with the Lenovo logo.

At the bottom there was a place for the “multimedia” speaker grille and a 3-pin group for connecting branded Vibe Xtension accessories (more about them below). By the way, the smartphone comes with a protective film for the screen and a transparent plastic bumper for the rear panel.

So, the manufacturer of Vibe X2 did not offend with its appearance. Perhaps the slightly angular body of the new product does not lie as pleasantly in the hand as last year’s streamlined one, but this is a purely individual feeling. And operating the device with one hand is quite comfortable.

Screen, camera, sound

The new smartphone has a 5-inch screen on an IPS matrix with Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels), with a pixel density per inch of 441 ppi.

The display is built using technology without using an air gap, so wide viewing angles do not disappoint. The image is quite clear, with decent color rendition and good rendering of small details.

The brightness reserve is enough even for working in bright external lighting (including sunlight). Its level can be set manually, or rely on the readings of the light sensor, according to which it is automatically adjusted. In addition, in the settings you can set the high brightness mode, not forgetting that it is associated with high power consumption. When using the device for a long time, the so-called adaptive mode is recommended, which, according to the manufacturer, provides eye protection. It’s easy to choose a comfortable color balance yourself in the custom mode, where the tone temperature and its saturation are individually adjusted. For smooth video playback, the ClearMotion option is provided in the screen settings.

Multi-touch technology allows you to process up to ten simultaneous clicks, which is confirmed by the results of the AntTuTu Tester and MultiTouch Test programs. Enabling the appropriate option, which increases the sensitivity of the touch layer of the screen, allows you to work with the smartphone while wearing gloves.

The Vibe X2 uses a photo module with a 13-megapixel BSI matrix, f/2.2 aperture, autofocus and LED flash for the main camera. The image resolution is 4096x2304 pixels (9.4 MP) with an aspect ratio of 16:9, as well as 4160x3120 pixels (13 MP) and 3120x3120 pixels (9.7 MP) with frame aspect ratios 4:3 and 1:1, respectively. The front camera, intended mainly for selfies and video calling, has a photo module with a 5-megapixel matrix, but without autofocus. The "self" resolution is the following - 1920x1920 pixels (1:1), 2560x1920 pixels (4:3) and 2560x1440 pixels (16:9), respectively.

The Camera app launches directly from the lock screen. The interface of this program is quite simple and intuitive. In the settings, you can select one of three modes - “Panorama”, “Special effects” and “Regular shooting”. In the latter case, several preset scenes are offered, including “Portrait”, “Sunset”, “Beach”, etc. Manual adjustment of contrast, saturation, sharpness and exposure is available. In addition, the user selects the ISO value (100-1600) and white balance ("incandescent", "sunlight", etc.). A separate icon is highlighted to enable HDR mode. The volume rocker can be easily assigned to shooting or zooming an image (up to 4x).

For “crossbow shots” from the front camera, you can not only improve your complexion in advance, but also select the most convenient shutter release mode: by timer, by touch, by gesture, by voice, and even by blinking. Both smartphone cameras can record videos in Full HD quality (resolution 1920x1080 pixels, 16:9) with a frame rate of 30 fps. At the same time, all content is saved in MP4 container files (AVC - video, AAC - sound). The main camera is equipped with electronic image stabilization.

The sound of the built-in speaker, although loud, is rather “dry” and harsh. This quality is quite enough for watching movies, but it is better to listen to music using at least the included audio headset. By the way, it is also useful as an antenna for the built-in FM tuner. Significant improvements in the acoustic capabilities of the Vibe X2 are provided by a special Vibe Xtension Hi-Fi accessory (purchased separately), 8.3 mm thick, which is attached to the back of the smartphone. The JBL speaker system, which operates up to 5 hours without recharging, compared to the built-in speaker, guarantees not only an increase in sound volume, but also an improvement in its quality.

Filling, performance

Vibe X2 was one of the first smartphones to receive the latest 8-core MediaTek MT6595M processor (a less powerful version of MT6595) with ARM big.LITTLE GTS architecture. On one chip, four powerful Cortex-A15 cores (2.0 GHz) work in conjunction with four energy-efficient Cortex-A7 cores (1.5 GHz).

Heterogeneous multiprocessing, which MediaTek calls True8Core, allows you to use all eight cores simultaneously. Graphics processing is provided by the PowerVR 6200 (450 MHz) accelerator from the Rogue family. The smartphone's RAM capacity is 2 GB, which is quite enough for almost any task.

Not finding mutual understanding with the Vibe X2, the synthetic tests of AnTuTu 5.2.0 for some reason refused to verify the rather good result of 41,739 “virtual parrots”.

But when measuring the “horsepower” of the processor on the Vellamo Metal benchmark, as well as on multi-core tests (Vellamo Multicore), the new product from Lenovo turned out to be the absolute favorite without any misunderstanding.

With variable settings of High Performance and High Quality (performance at the expense of quality and vice versa) on the Epic Citadel visual test, the average frame rate differed only in decimal places and amounted to 53.8 and 53.1 fps, respectively. But when changing the setting to Ultra High Quality, this parameter decreased by almost 1.8 times (to 30.1 fps).

Generally speaking, the Vibe X2 can compete on equal terms with modern flagships in terms of performance. The smartphone easily copes with almost all tasks, without being afraid of “heavy” games. It’s not for nothing that they immediately installed it and offer to try such famous hits as, for example, Asphalt 8, Real Football 2014 and “Spider-Man”.

Of the 32 GB of declared internal memory, only about 26.2 GB is available, and 25.7 GB is free. Unfortunately, memory expansion in this smartphone, like in its predecessor, is not provided either by microSD cards or by connecting external flash drives (USB-OTG). This is perhaps the most significant drawback of this device.

Of course, among wireless communications, a smartphone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are mandatory today. In addition, the device operates in Russian fourth-generation 4G cellular networks (LTE FDD, Band 7 and 20). And to determine location and navigation, it is proposed to use GPS and GLONASS satellites with A-GPS support.

The Vibe X2 has a non-removable lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 2,300 mAh, the capacity of which is clearly not enough for the existing filling. Note that, for example, another 5-inch smartphone with Full HD screen resolution and also equipped with an 8-core processor received a 3,100 mAh battery. In order to somehow improve the energy supply situation of the Vibe X2, the Vibe Xtension Battery accessory is offered for it, which is an additional battery for another 2,300 mAh. This battery is mounted on the body of the smartphone, and its thickness is 5.1 mm.

The new smartphone earned 5,745 points in AnTuTu Tester 2.2 battery tests. For the Vibe X2, the manufacturer claims talk time for 2G networks up to 22 hours, and for 3G/4G networks up to 11.5 hours. Our selection of MP4 and Full HD videos played continuously at full brightness for just over 3.5 hours.

In the Power Manager settings section, you can use emergency mode, reducing the functionality of your smartphone to voice calls and SMS messages. In addition, it is proposed to save battery power by enabling options that reduce the brightness of the screen backlight and/or the performance of the graphics accelerator.

Software

The Vibe X2 smartphone runs on the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) operating system with the proprietary Vibe UI shell, where there is no separate program menu, and the icons of all installed applications, folders and widgets are located on desktops. As in the device, by tapping several times on the “Build number” line, you can activate the “For Developers” menu, but, alas, there is no option to switch to the standard Android interface here.

The shell interface allows you to refresh themes, lock screens, and desktop wallpapers; to change the latter, you just need to make a gesture reminiscent of turning a page from the left or right corner of the display. Conveniently configure the notification panel settings. But the most interesting “chips” are presented in the “Special” settings tab.

So, if you enable the “Double tap” option, then after double tapping on the screen, the smartphone either wakes up or goes into sleep mode. By the way, you can also turn on the display backlight using the volume rocker, using the corresponding settings item (“Turn on with volume buttons”). But activating the “Speed ​​Shot” allows you to take an “instant” photo with a double tap on the “Home” button when the screen goes dark. Since this touch button is practically invisible without backlighting, you should navigate by its approximate location. The photo you take will appear on the screen with icons for deleting it and/or going to the Camera app.

Using the "Smart Menu" on any desktop, you can call up a pop-up menu containing icons for performing certain actions or calling services/applications, including "Calculator", "Search", "Voice Search", "Alarm Clock", "Camera" ", "Close", etc. In this case, the menu is called up either by a special button with adjustable transparency, or by touching a pre-calibrated finger.

Using "Smart Scenarios" it is easy to configure the launch of various applications or services according to a predetermined schedule or when connected to a selected Wi-Fi access point (linked in advance). But by using the appropriate options, you can, for example, increase the ringer volume by putting the smartphone in your pocket, and vice versa, reduce the sound by taking the device in your hand.

Purchase, conclusions

Among its 8-core classmates, Lenovo Vibe X2 looks quite decent. With a starting price of 14,990 rubles, it, in particular, falls into the price niche between the Alcatel OneTouch Idol+ (12,990 rubles) and (16,990 rubles). Let us remind you that all these smartphones, among other things, received 5-inch screens with Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels). In terms of RAM capacity, it stands out among them (2 GB vs. 2 GB vs. 3 GB), but the same smartphone also has the smallest built-in storage on board (32 GB vs. 32 GB vs. 16 GB). True, it only knows how to expand it with microSD/HC/XC memory cards. The Lenovo Vibe X2 turned out to be lighter and thinner (120 g versus 125 g versus 135 g) and (7.27 mm versus 7.9 mm versus 7.5 mm), respectively. All devices received 13-megapixel main cameras, while due to the simple front camera, the least preferable for selfie lovers would be the Alcatel OneTouch Idol+ (5 MP vs. 2 MP vs. 5 MP). But the battery capacities were distributed as follows - 2,300 mAh versus 2,500 mAh versus 3,100 mAh.

Thus, the key advantages of the Lenovo Vibe X2 over its competitors include its stylish and fresh design, as well as its low thickness and weight. But the main disadvantage of this smartphone is the low capacity of the lithium-polymer battery. As already noted, such a flaw is “cured” with the additional accessory Vibe Xtension Battery, but then you will have to forget about the superiority in thickness and weight. Nevertheless, the “multi-layered appearance” sets the device apart from the mass of other, not very expressive, devices. This will certainly appeal to users who prefer originality in everything.

Results of the review of the Lenovo Vibe X2 smartphone

Pros:

• Stylish layered design
• Small thickness and weight
• High performance

Minuses:

• Insufficient battery capacity
• No microSD card slot