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Lenovo A60 runs Android 2.3, Dual SIM, a steal at only PHP 7,990.00

EDIT II: Lenovo has released its holiday 2012 lineup — the P700i, K860 and S560 models. There is also an upgrade to the A60, the A65 and the more recent A60+. Check them out! So as not to confuse with the timelines, the P700i, K860 and S560 are the latest releases. Here is a comparison between the S560 and the P700i.

EDIT: Updated to include more insights after really getting to use it

I won Lenovo’s latest gem, the A60, last night. It’s been a long time coming but Lenovo Mobile is finally here. Oddly enough, the mobile division isn’t being handled by the consumer group of Ida Ong. Lenovo Mobile is a completely separate group with the phones being distributed by Open Communications Inc.

The A60 is a charmer bringing much needed competition to the Android phone market in the country. What exactly did they do? Well, for starters they added dual SIM functionality to an already complete Android 2.3 package. In other words, this isn’t some baduy version of Android that leaves out the Marketplace functionality. It’s full Android 2.3 Gingerbread. And yeah, DUAL SIM. The second killer item is the price point. Where else can you find a dual SIM Android phone at only PHP 7,990.00

Unlike most mainstream Android hardware suppliers like Samsung and HTC, Lenovo played around a bit more with the system preferences. No, we’re not talking about how Samsung uses TouchWIZ and HTC uses Sense UI. Lenovo mixed up some of the system preferences. For instance, where you would usually find options to disable data in mobile networks, you find these settings on a per SIM-card basis instead. Joining contacts from Facebook, Twitter and Google works slightly differently as well but can be easily figured out.

Really, I can go on and on with how great this phone is. I still can’t believe Lenovo was able to release something that doesn’t look like a sub-10k phone and reduce the price point. There has to be a loophole somewhere — 1500 mAh battery? Nope. 3MP VGA camera? Nope. 220MB internal memory (hmm the only yellow flag — but still!)? The smartphone is powered by a MT6573 650MHz processor — nothing fancy here. No Snapdragon or anything like that. But still, in real world use, there was no UI lag. There’s a bit of it in graphics intensive apps and games but you really can’t complain at this price.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the front hardware buttons. The design was rather confusing making me think they were touch enabled when there were also buttons right under them. Buttons were a bit stiff. But again, I can ignore this because of the epic price point.

For more details, check this out.

Pros
Responsive UI
Value for money
Dual standy DUAL SIM (each SIM is active all the time)

Cons
Only 220MB of internal memory (might have problems with huge address books for memory loss — of course the solution here would be to have all your apps saved in microSD card expansion)
Front Hardware buttons could use some work

By Jayvee Fernandez

Jayvee Fernandez is a tech enthusiast and sitting Techbology Editor for The Philippine STAR.

He is also an EAN certified SCUBA Diver and underwater photographer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. His photos and videos have appeared in various international and local publications including Random House Germany, Discovery Channel Canada, and CNN.

22 replies on “Lenovo A60 runs Android 2.3, Dual SIM, a steal at only PHP 7,990.00”

Great phone! I’ve veen looking for this phone at SM Megamall but can’t find any. Do you have any idea where to I can buy this?

Thanks 😀

Lenovo a60 has DUAL-CORE processor.

CPU
Dual Core
CPU: MT6573 ARM11 650MHz (handles multimedia processes) + MT6162 ARM9 400MHz (handles network/frequency processes)
GPU: PowerVR SGX 531
OS
Android V2.3.3
Memory
RAM : 256 MB / ROM : 512 MB
2G Micro SD Memory Card (TF-Card)
MAX support 16GB
Screen
3.5″ HVGA, 320 x 480, TFT-LCD/ Capacitive Touch Screen
Network
Dual Sim Dual Standby, Support W+G, G+G
WCDMA/HSDPA : 900/2100 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE : 900/1800/1900 MHz
Support GSM service all over the world
GPS
Built In SiRF III GPS
Connection
Bluetooth with EDR & A2DP
Wi-Fi : IEEE 802.11 b/g
micro USB 2.0
Camera
Back 3.2 mega pixel / MAX 2048×1536
Front 0.3 mega pixel
Sensor
Gravity Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor
Radio
FM
Video
AVI , MP4 , FLV , 3GP , MOV , ASF , MPEG , RMVB , etc.
Audio
MP3 , AAC , WAV , etc. / 3.5 mm Audio Jack

urmm,I recently bought this Lenovo A60,but my problem is;where can I buy addtional an extra battery, and how much is the price?

Hi! Just wanted to ask if it’s possible to create contact groups and send messages to a created contact group with just one or two clicks? Thanks!

I am looking for a dual sim android budget friendly yet sturdy phone. My choices are: Cherry Mobile Stellar, Lenovo A60, Samsung Galaxy Y Duos, and Alcatel OT 918N. What offers the best product and brand value?

@Randy Try the Alcatel. The Lenovo seems to have a problem with SMS. I have encountered problems where you can’t send text messages and it’s replicated across other A60 models. I’ve asked Lenovo for help but they haven’t responded.

I am overwhelmed with the beauty and function of this one of a kind android phone I have here, the Lenovo A60. I haven’t explored everything yet but so far I consider this as one of the A+ android phones out of the market these days, not to mention the price that save your other pocket from spending. I just changed my 10 years old really sturdy Nokia 5110 and I find it no match with this.;) And I would say, with the built that this Lenovo A60 has, can actually live longer than that Nokia 5110, if and only if you can live with that.:) Well, what we would be expecting now that Lenovo already design their own handhelds that persuades a lot of wallets to spend? They soon a heck of competition with the design, functionality and beauty. So beware Samsung, Nokia, Alcatel, Sony Ericson, HTC, even you Big Apple… As everybody said, China can rock the world, watchout Japan, US of A, Finland, Germany manufacturer.:) make your product better and cheaper.

[…] Met up with John Rojo, the new Business Unit Head of Lenovo Mobile (Open COmmunications) and he showed me a bunch of new tech they have coming. One of these was the new Lenovo A65 which is their exciting follow up to the A60 released in October of last year. […]

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