As soon as I saw the 21 mega-pixel sensor and the audio hardware of the Lenovo Vibe X3 I knew I just had to have one and now that it has arrived here are my first impressions.
Lenovo launched 3 versions of the Vibe X3 last month, there was an entry-level model with 13 mega-pixel main camera, a mid-range model with 32GB memory and 21 mega-pixel camera and a top of the range version with 64GB. I opted for the 32GB model, and it arrived with me yesterday.
Lenovo Vibe X3 Unboxing Video
Lenovo Vibe X3 First Impressions
Out of the box the Lenovo Vibe X3 feels very nice, and also very familiar in my hand. The soft white polycarbonate body (soft to the touch like the baby skin option on the OPO), the slightly thicker design and the black and white front all reminded me of the Oppo N3. It’s obviously not as long as the N3 but it is a little longer than most 5.5-inch phones due to the dual front facing speakers.
As I have mentioned in the past, black borders around the display don’t bother me as I tend to focus on the screen and not what is around it. But if you aren’t a fan of black borders then the Vibe X3 isn’t going to please. We have black borders all around the panel, especially notable between the top of the screen and the top speaker.
What is also notable is the build of the Lenovo Vibe X3. While it might not have a unibody alloy design like some of this years flagships, it still feels premium and solidly made, again it reminds me of an Oppo N1 or N3. The Polycarbonate rear is non removable so you cannot get at the 3600mAh battery inside and the a SIM tray is located on the left of the alloy chassis. For those of you wondering the answer is Yes, you have the option to use either dual SIM cards or a single SIM and an SD card (hence the reason I went for the 32GB model).
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The right side of the phone is where the power and volume buttons are located, and once again these are quality items with no wobble and a really pleasant action to them. Other physical features around the chassis are a 3.5mm headphone jack and IR remote at the top, and standard USB in the base.
Lenovo Vibe X3 features
External features of the Lenovo Vibe X3 are the 21 mega-pixel rear camera, dual tone, dual LED flash and rear single touch fingerprint scanner. What really grabbed my attention though is the dual front speakers that offer Dolby Atmos audio.
If you haven’t tried Dolby Atmos and I suggest you do, it really is incredible! Basically the system offer 3D surround sound meaning that movies really do come to life from the Lenovo Vibe X3. Helicopters can be heard flying overhead, cars race from one side of the room to the other, and monsters can be heard behind you. It’s a truly immersive experience.
Gaming on the Lenovo Vibe X3 should also be fun too with that audio experience. Performance also promises to be good with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset and 3GB RAM on board.
This being a first impressions and hands on I really haven’t had much time to play around with the other features such as the 21 mega-pixel rear camera, but a full review will be made to cover all that in due time.
Lenovo Vibe X3 first impressions conclusion
One detail to look out for with the Lenovo Vibe X3 is that it doesn’t support Google Services out of the box. Root is required to do this, and at this time the phone is a little new for a fix to have been found but people are working on it. Another detail is that the Android 5.1 based Lenovo ROM only has Chinese and English language options.
I’m pretty excited about this phone, and I am already enjoying the amazing audio, I just hope that the rest of the kit meets my expectations and that Google Services can be installed soon. Keep posted for more details and a full review of the Lenovo Vibe X3 soon.
Thanks to the Shop.GizChina.Com team for helping me source the Lenovo Vibe X3.
Can we have a definition of “in due time” 😉
Sure “in due time” : when the time is due. ?
Adv.1.in due time – at the appropriate time; “we’ll get to this question in due course”
in due course, in due season, in good time, when the time comes
Ah, In due season sounds about right, I’m thinking late Spring (maybe).
Does it also have the double tap(wake screen) and OIS on the camera?
Where did you buy it from? They all on pre-order only on all sites.
I got the shop.gizchina.com team to get it for me
Don’t we all wish we had a shop.gizchina.com team, to come at our beckon call ?.
lol
but only Overlord Andi commands their loyalty 😀
You have the them too, as long as you pay them….. haha
Don’t get me wrong but shop.gizchine.com don’t have Lenovo phones, but Xiaomi, Meizu, OnePlus, LeTv, ZUK, ZOPO, OPPO, Ulefone. Could you just help us where did they get it for you then? Thanks
They would have got it from either Lenovo themselves or from a distributor. Either way it is no help to consumers where they go it from as you won’t have access to those channels. You just have to wait for shops to start selling them.
Dealextreme appears to have in stock, but useless without a way to push google play
Google Play should be able to install even phone is not rooted. Have you tried the following methods? Install google services:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/installing-google-framework-playstore-t3216122
Xiaomi Google Play installer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW61ea-xfZw
hi, yup first thing I tried was this method but it still does not work
Let’s hope they will release international rom soon. Based on this source, phone will be released in Europe (Slovak) even before Christmas: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sk&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftechbox.dennikn.sk%2Flenovo-prinesie-novu-vlajkovu-lod-vibe-x3-na-slovensko-este-do-vianoc%2F&edit-text=
Generally, if this Lenovo went on sale in India, then it’d be a good idea to flash their ROW Rom onto it as that comes with Google Services out of the box like the K3 Note does…
no google play ?!
wtf !
There are alternate app stores that you can use that are just as good (some even better) than Google Play.
a few names would be nice 🙂
Amazon App store
F-Droid Store
Galaxy Store
GetJar
SlideMe
Baidu (one of the best)
Tencent
Quihoo
Wandoujia
Literally the entire Chinese botnet. Pass
The Chinese bot net exists in Google Play too, you will never rid yourself of it. Just like anything with the internet you just need to be smart and have a good antivirus software.
You just need to be smart and have common sense 2015 installed
Fixed that for you 🙂
Issue isn’t the app store but the lack of Google Play services. I realised yesterday even Strava requires it…
I miss X2’s original style.
Looks like a very interesting phone. Does the camera features OIS?
I’ve read its PDAF
Can we have a definition of “in due time” 😉
Sure “in due time” : when the time is due. 😁
Adv.1.in due time – at the appropriate time; “we’ll get to this question in due course”
in due course, in due season, in good time, when the time comes
Ah, In due season sounds about right, I’m thinking late Spring (maybe).
Does it also have the double tap(wake screen) and OIS on the camera?
Where did you buy it from? They all on pre-order only on all sites.
I got the shop.gizchina.com team to get it for me
Don’t we all wish we had a shop.gizchina.com team, to come at our beckon call 😜.
Don’t get me wrong but shop.gizchine.com don’t have Lenovo phones, but Xiaomi, Meizu, OnePlus, LeTv, ZUK, ZOPO, OPPO, Ulefone. Could you just help us where did they get it for you then? Thanks
lol
but only Overlord Andi commands their loyalty 😀
They would have got it from either Lenovo themselves or from a distributor. Either way it is no help to consumers where they go it from as you won’t have access to those channels. You just have to wait for shops to start selling them.
You have the them too, as long as you pay them….. haha
Dealextreme appears to have in stock, but useless without a way to push google play
Google Play should be able to install even phone is not rooted. Have you tried the following methods? Install google services:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/installing-google-framework-playstore-t3216122
Xiaomi Google Play installer:
hi, yup first thing I tried was this method but it still does not work
Let’s hope they will release international rom soon. Based on this source, phone will be released in Europe (Slovak) even before Christmas: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sk&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftechbox.dennikn.sk%2Flenovo-prinesie-novu-vlajkovu-lod-vibe-x3-na-slovensko-este-do-vianoc%2F&edit-text=
Do you will make a review for mate 8?
Hopefully.
I SO hate this phone… It’s almost everything i wanted and I’d have bought the budget version, if only it wasn’t budget at all in the first place… -.-
But I’ll take note of the future review, maybe… When it’ll drop like 70-80% of the price… Maybe… xD
Generally, if this Lenovo went on sale in India, then it’d be a good idea to flash their ROW Rom onto it as that comes with Google Services out of the box like the K3 Note does…
no google play ?!
wtf !
There are alternate app stores that you can use that are just as good (some even better) than Google Play.
a few names would be nice 🙂
Amazon App store
F-Droid Store
Galaxy Store
Issue isn’t the app store but the lack of Google Play services. I realised yesterday even Strava requires it…
GetJar
SlideMe
Baidu (one of the best)
Tencent
Quihoo
Wandoujia
Literally the entire Chinese botnet. Pass
The Chinese bot net exists in Google Play too, you will never rid yourself of it. Just like anything with the internet you just need to be smart and have a good antivirus software.
You just need to be smart and have common sense 2015 installed
Fixed that for you 🙂
Good walkthrough @Andi Sykes:disqus . Does it have FM radio?
I miss X2’s original style.
Looks like a very interesting phone. Does the camera features OIS?
I’ve read its PDAF
This looks like an OPPO phone, which is a good thing for Lenovo. Typically Lenovo phones are either incredibly boring or incredibly ugly. Which sensor is the camera?
i think the imx 230 not sure tho
I had the X2 and it was neither incredibly boring nor incredibly ugly. In fact, I think the layered cake design was a refreshing departure from most of the other bland designs that you see nowadays.
No the X2 wasn’t boring, but it was a shameless rip off of a Sony Xperia.
another crappy lenovo-motorola phone..
Do you will make a review for mate 8?
Hopefully.
I SO hate this phone… It’s almost everything i wanted and I’d have bought the budget version, if only it wasn’t budget at all in the first place… -.-
But I’ll take note of the future review, maybe… When it’ll drop like 70-80% of the price… Maybe… xD
Good walkthrough @Andi Sykes:disqus . Does it have FM radio?
– Update –
Can anyone please confirm if this has FM radio? @Andi?
This looks like an OPPO phone, which is a good thing for Lenovo. Typically Lenovo phones are either incredibly boring or incredibly ugly. Which sensor is the camera?
i think the imx 230 not sure tho
I had the X2 and it was neither incredibly boring nor incredibly ugly. In fact, I think the layered cake design was a refreshing departure from most of the other bland designs that you see nowadays.
The X3 looks like an Axon minus the tackiness.
No the X2 wasn’t boring, but it was a shameless rip off of a Sony Xperia.
I’m torn between waiting for an international version, or getting the Motorola X Force. What do you reckon Andi?
I don’t really know much about the X Force sorry
another crappy lenovo-motorola phone..
I’m torn between waiting for an international version, or getting the Motorola X Force. What do you reckon Andi?
I don’t really know much about the X Force sorry
Would love this phone if it sells in three months for 200$ like the X2 did(got one for my sister, it`s a great device)
Will definitely get one if it comes to 200$, I actually prefer Lenovo to Xiaomi(MIUI is too bloated for my taste)
Would love this phone if it sells in three months for 200$ like the X2 did(got one for my sister, it`s a great device)
Will definitely get one if it comes to 200$, I actually prefer Lenovo to Xiaomi(MIUI is too bloated for my taste)
It`s a ZTE Axon clone, but I don`t mind.
Nat it looks good, the Axon is tacky
Yeah, I actually like this design, it`s more retro and manly.
It`s a ZTE Axon clone, but I don`t mind.
Nat it looks good, the Axon is tacky
Yeah, I actually like this design, it`s more retro and manly.
Is a pro mode available in the camera?
yup
Is a pro mode available in the camera?
yup
I don’t understand why you say it has to be rooted to install Google services. I have added this function to two Chinese tablets without rooting either one.
Normally it is not an issue but with Lenovo and ZTE they really make it difficult. The good news is that the Vibe X3 just launched in India so an international rom will be available soon
I don’t understand why you say it has to be rooted to install Google services. I have added this function to two Chinese tablets without rooting either one.
Normally it is not an issue but with Lenovo and ZTE they really make it difficult. The good news is that the Vibe X3 just launched in India so an international rom will be available soon
Andi, any joy on the google play services?
Andi, any joy on the google play services?
could you install google services now?
Nope
I almost bought one through alibaba, seller highly recommended- pretty much everyone on there however says that they can install google before it is dispatched?
Apparently X3c50 is rootable now so any progress on this one?
could you install google services now?
Nope
I almost bought one through alibaba, seller highly recommended- pretty much everyone on there however says that they can install google before it is dispatched?
Apparently X3c50 is rootable now so any progress on this one?
“If you haven’t tried Dolby Atmos … it really is incredible! Basically the system offer 3D surround sound meaning that movies really do come to life … Helicopters can be heard flying overhead, cars race from one side …” You sure you weren’t testing this at the corner during a drug bust or something?
“If you haven’t tried Dolby Atmos … it really is incredible! Basically the system offer 3D surround sound meaning that movies really do come to life … Helicopters can be heard flying overhead, cars race from one side …” You sure you weren’t testing this at the corner during a drug bust or something?
—
friendly note: geekbench3 scores for this Snapdragon 808 are about ~860|3160, roughly equivalent to a Helio P10. The gpu is about twice as powerful though, giving an 808 an antutu score of about 68k (a couple percent better than a highly-clocked Helio X10)