The first thing that strikes you is the size of it. With its huge 5.5-inch display, Lenovo’s K900 makes a bold statement about the PC maker’s intentions to compete with Apple and Samsung in the smartphone market.
As an initial impression the size of the device is a tough one to overcome, and the brushed steel finish gives a robust, industrial aesthetic that while not unappealing, will not be for everyone. At just 6.9mm thick though, the K900 is certainly svelt if nothing else.
Inside the phone is powered by an Intel Atom Z2580 processor, whose 2.0 Ghz clockspeed means the K900 has the brawn to run several applications at once and has the graphical prowess for those looking to play the latest games on their handset.
The K900 employs a customised version of the latest Android Jelly Bean operating system, which is a pleasure to navigate with flicking between applications straightforward and seamless.
The device comes pre-loaded with all the applications you would expect – such as Facebook, YouTube and Evernote – and a host more are available free to download via the Google Play marketplace.
At 13 Mp and with 4x digital zoom, the K900’s primary camera has some of the best specifications of any smartphone on the market, and the images we captured with the device were crisp and their colours vibrant.
In light of its screen size and processor power, the K900’s battery life is reasonably solid, coming in at ten to 11 hours even when running applications like WhatsApp and a couple of email accounts.
The ‘Endurance’ mode allows users to squeeze every drop out of the phone’s battery, while an on-screen short cut instantaneously closes any superfluous software, further prolonging the time between recharges.
On a less positive note, the K900 has a tendency to quickly heat up when running more heavy duty applications and games, although this did not appear to affect performance.
At AED1,999 the device is priced very competitively when compared to smartphones of similar calibre, such the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4, although the lack of operator support means that the data charges can quickly rack up.
While some punters will find the dimensions of the K900 awkward, underneath the hood Lenovo has put together a powerful, if not exactly elegant, smartphone with that provides an experience to rival any device.
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