Late last year, Lenovo announced that it would be charging into 2014 with a new smartphone strategy that might give the company a much-needed competitive edge. Lenovo didn’t waste any time either — four new smartphones were unveiled on Thursday, each of which will see an international release this year. First up is the Vibe Z, Lenovo’s premiere LTE-enabled smartphone. The Vibe Z features a 5.5-inch, 1080p display, 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, up to 16GB of internal storage, 13-megapixel rear camera and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The Vibe Z will be available in February in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines for $549.
Lenovo also plans to launch two phones in its S series: the S930 and the S650. The S930 will be Lenovo’s largest entry, with a display measuring in at 6-inches, although its 720p resolution won’t match that of the Vibe Z. Of course, neither will its price. The S930 starts at $319, and its 4.7-inch relative, the S650, will cost just $229. Both handsets will come equipped with 8GB of internal storage, 8-megapixel cameras and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
The last of Lenovo’s new phones is also its most affordable. The A859 is “designed for great all around performance” and comes in at just $219 with a 720p display, 8GB of storage, 8-megapixel camera and Android 4.2. The S930, S650 and A859 are all available immediately in countries where Lenovo smartphones are sold. The full release follows below.
Lenovo Launches Its First LTE Smartphone with Vibe Z
Expands Smartphone Lineup with Four New Devices
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – January 2, 2014: Lenovo(HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today introduced its first LTE smartphone, the Lenovo Vibe Z,a gorgeous razor-thin, blazing-fast device equipped with gesture controls, photo enhancement software and other premium technologies. To complement the Vibe Z, Lenovo also launched a trio of smartphones, starting with the S930, a supersized 6-in device primed for media addicts, the S650, a 4.7-in compact and stylish workhorse, and the “tweener” A859, a 5-in high performance all-rounder.
These four new devices complement Lenovo’s existing portfolio of phones ranging from feature phones to premium smartphones across multiple price points. Lenovo, currently the #3 smart connected device maker worldwide, has expanded aggressively into the global smartphone market, introducing smartphones in 18 countries in the past two years.
“We created the new Vibe Z with its elegant design, high performance and custom software so that people can truly have the best smartphone experience now at the speed of LTE,” said Liu Jun, senior vice president, Lenovo Business Group, Lenovo. “Along with the Vibe Z, our new S and A Series smartphones offer consumers choices of screen size and features so they can pick the Lenovo smartphone that’s right for them.”
Vibe Z Wraps LTE, Style and Top Technologies into One Incredible Device
As Lenovo’s first smartphone featuring LTE capabilities, the Vibe Z offers true mobile freedom with super-fast data upload at up to 50 Mbit/s1 and downloading at up to 150 Mbit/s1 to satisfy the most data hungry of individuals. The Vibe Z operates on GSM/UMTS networks up to 2100 and also comes with 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.The svelte Vibe Z comes encased in a thin 7.9mm silver or titanium body weighing just 147 grams. Users will appreciate its laser-etched, fabric-feel rear cover that is comfortable to hold and its 5.5-in full high definition (1920×1080) IPS wide angle viewing touchscreen display. Images appear pin sharp leveraging the Vibe Z’s 20/20 Vision display with a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch. While beautiful on the outside, the Vibe Z packs in superior performance technologies inside starting with its Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800 Quad-core 2.2GHz processor to deliver extreme performance for watching movies, capturing and editing photos, multitasking among apps, playing games and video chatting. Loaded with 2 GB of memory, up to 16 GB of internal storage and running Android 4.3, the Vibe Z offers plenty of space for thousands of favorite photos dozens of videos.
With its custom imaging software and high resolution cameras, the Vibe Z surpasses the shutterbug features of other smartphones. It has a 13 MP rear camera with a large f1.8 aperture lens to defy low light situations and capture breathtaking photos and a 5 MP front camera that’s equipped with an 84° lens for wide-angle shots. Lenovo’s Super Camera and Super Gallery apps let users add fun effects to their photos easily. Additionally Vibe Z offers Lenovo-specific software supporting motion and gestures for better one-handed usage on large screen devices.
“We are proud to collaborate with Lenovo to enable the company’s first LTE smartphone,” said Raj Talluri, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The new Vibe Z utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with integrated LTE technology to deliver superfast web browsing and unmatched multimedia features for an outstanding user experience.”
S Series Smartphones Offer Supersized or Pocket-Sized Mobile Media
The S930 perfectly satisfies the most voracious of media mavens with its high definition and audio enhanced movie and gaming experience while the S650 offers a powerful pocket-sized media device. Both smartphones adopt the Vibe Z’s silver body and laser-etched fabric-feel rear cover, the S930 supersizes the available screen real estate with its 6-in high definition 1280×720 touchscreen while the S650 sports a compact 4.7-in gHD 960×540 display with IPS wide angle viewing.The S930 provides an immersive and rich audio experience with its twin speakers and Dolby® Digital Plus and even has directional sensors to move characters in 3D.
Powered by a MediaTek Quad Core processor and running Android 4.2 at just 8.7mm thin, both the S930 and S650 smartphones have valuable technologies to help users get the most out of their device including a dual SIM card allowing for two numbers in one device. They come with an 8 MP rear camera with flash, a capable front camera, Lenovo’s Super Camera and Super Gallery apps to add effects to photos and 8 GB of storage. Both smartphones include gesture-based controls and the latest Lenovo launcher customizations.
A859 All Around Performance Model
Designed for great all around performance, the A859 smartphone combines several in-demand features for a rewarding experience. Available in white or black, it measures 9.2mm thin with a 5-in high definition (1280×720) IPS screen with 178° wide angle viewing. Like the S Series, it has a dual SIM card, runs on a MediaTek 6582 processor and Android 4.2, has an 8 MP rear camera, a front camera and 8 GB of storage.Pricing and Availability2
The Vibe Z starts at $549 and is available starting in February in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.The S930 and S650 start at $319 and $229, respectively. They are available beginning immediately in countries where Lenovo smartphones are sold.
The A859 starts at $219 and is available starting immediately in countries where Lenovo smartphones are sold.
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About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$34 billion personal technology company – the largest PC maker worldwide and an emerging PC Plus leader – serving customers in more than 160 countries. Dedicated to exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the Company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo, a global Fortune 500 company, has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.1Mobile data speeds are dependent on carrier network coverage and capabilities.
2Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
