Lenovo Vibe K5 review: Base line

Base line

GSMArena team, 10 August 2016.

Custom phonebook

The Lenovo Vibe K5 has a fully custom phonebook. It is laid out across four tabs: dialer, call log, contacts, and favorites. There's smart dial support, as well as speed dial.

Dialer - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Dialer - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Dialer - Lenovo Vibe K5 review
Dialer

Contacts is self explanatory - you get an alphabetized list of them, which you can search or filter them by first letter.

Contacts - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Contacts - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Contacts - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Contacts - Lenovo Vibe K5 review
Contacts

The Vibe K5 is a dual SIM device (both micro SIMs) and as such has settings for SIM handling. Each card can be assigned a name and a number, and cards can be disabled from the menu, so you don't have to physically remove them, if for some reason you don't want to use one.

You can select default cards to use for voice calls, messaging and data, or have the phone ask you each time.

Dual-SIM settings - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Dual-SIM settings - Lenovo Vibe K5 review
Dual-SIM settings

The Lenovo Vibe K5 scored a Good rating in our loudspeaker test, which is a bit odd given that its Plus sibling managed a notch higher. Presumably the hardware is the same - two speakers, in stereo.

If you look at the numbers though, they are only a decibel or two lower in each individual test, but it adds up to a different overall rating in the end. It's still pretty loud, and louder than major competitors, so there's nothing to worry about in this department.

Speakerphone testVoice, dB Pink noise/ Music, dB Ringing phone, dB Overall score
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) 64.1 65.3 68.5 Below Average
Sony Xperia E5 62.0 67.5 69.4 Below Average
Xiaomi Redmi 3 66.1 65.5 70.6 Average
Sony Xperia E5 (ClearAudio+) 63.2 68.3 70.9 Average
Meizu m3 note 66.5 64.6 71.7 Average
Samsung Galaxy J2 67.7 75.6 64.8 Good
Lenovo Moto G4 64.7 70.8 72.8 Good
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 66.5 66.6 75.8 Good
Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro 67.2 70.7 74.5 Good
Lenovo Vibe K5 70.3 70.0 78.5 Good
Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen 75.7 69.6 75.9 Very Good
Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus 72.8 71.3 81.9 Very Good

Messaging and text input

The messaging section is business as usual with all SMS/MMS communication organized into threads. Attaching a photo, video, audio recording or the like automatically turns your message into an MMS.

The Lenovo Vibe K5 employs the stock Android keyboard. It doesn't have a dedicated number row, but numbers do come out upon a long press. You can choose between a number of color themes or even pick a photo of your own for background.

Messaging and text input - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Messaging and text input - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Messaging and text input - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Messaging and text input - Lenovo Vibe K5 review Messaging and text input - Lenovo Vibe K5 review
Messaging and text input

Reader comments

  • tubu
  • 16 Jul 2022
  • Dk5

I am using this since 2016 it's still working but 2to 3 days back its display was damaged now I changed the display it work properly it's a very good phone and gaming porfonance is very good

  • Anonymous
  • 12 Jun 2021
  • Hkr

Still using since August 2016 Two k5

  • androidfan10963
  • 05 Apr 2020
  • 7t$

Got this phone in June 2016 and still rocking it with an Android 10 custom ROM. There are a few mistakes in this review: All K5 and K5 Plus supports upto 128GB sd card, I have tested it myself with a samsung 128GB micro SDXC. The Adreno 405 used ...