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If you’re looking for a high-spec budget phone, you’d be hard pressed to do better than the Lenovo P2.
It features everything you’d expect to see in a mid-range phone but we’re continually surprised by how cheap it is.
Lenovo is beginning to cement itself as a go-to budget phone maker alongside the Motorola brand, which Lenovo also owns.
A lot of what made the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus great phones is here in the Lenovo P2 and in some respects the P2 goes even further.
Why should I buy the Lenovo P2?
The battery life on the P2 is almost unheard of on any other smartphone. The huge juice pack means this isn't the slimmest phone around and it makes the phone heavy, but when that means you get over two days of life we'd say that's a fair trade.
If you’re currently frustrated with how long your phone will last on a single charge, you should definitely consider the Lenovo P2 as your next replacement.
The design of the Lenovo P2 is also luxurious compared to a lot of the other devices we’re used to testing out at this end of the market.
If you want something that looks like it’s worth a lot of money, but actually isn’t, this could be a good choice for you.
The display on the Lenovo P2 is also another reason to grab this phone while you can.
If you take a look at some of the other phones at this price point you’ll notice a lot of devices that only feature 720p displays, so this is noticeably better at 1080p, while the large size makes it perfect if you want to consume a lot of media on the move.
Why shouldn’t I buy the Lenovo P2?
If you’re used to using a smaller device, the Lenovo P2 won’t be a good option for you. It's large and it's heavy. We found it easy to use, but if you’re upgrading from an iPhone 5S - or any other smaller phone - you’ll find this a real struggle to use.
At 177g the weight is especially something to note, as while there's a good reason for it this may cause an issue for you if you want a lighter device.
Another negative of the Lenovo P2 is the positioning of the Ultimate Power Saver flick switch. It means extended life is never more than a flick away, but it's in an awkward position and would have been better placed on the top or bottom of the device.
First reviewed: January 2017
Competition
Not a fan of the Lenovo P2? We’ve chosen some other devices that may suit you a little better.
Moto G5
The Moto G5 is worth a check if you’re looking at a phone like the Lenovo P2.
It’s cheaper than the Moto G5 Plus and the Lenovo P2, but doesn’t feature as high-end a spec as the P2. It does still have a 5.5-inch Full HD display and a decent chipset, but you’ll miss out on the premium design and phenomenal battery life of the Lenovo P2.
Read the full review: Moto G5
Moto G4 Plus
The Moto G4 Plus is perhaps the best budget phone in the world right now. It has sat at the top of our favorites list since it was released in early 2016 and still packs an impressive punch with a Full HD 5.5-inch display, 3,000mAh battery and 16MP rear camera.
That said, the spec list isn’t all as impressive as the P2, especially when it comes to battery life, and you won’t get the full metal unibody either.
Read the full review: Moto G4 Plus
Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus
The Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus is a similar price to the Lenovo P2 and offers a slightly lower spec but an interesting, premium-feel design. It features a 5-inch 720p display, a Snapdragon 430 chipset and 3GB of RAM to power it all.
It doesn’t offer such impressive battery life as the Lenovo P2 though as it only features a 2,700mAh cell inside.
Read the full review: Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus
Blu Vivo 6
The Vivo 6 is another great metal clad phone that costs relatively little considering the spec. It's not all about the design though - there's a great fingerprint sensor, a 5.5-inch Full HD display and even 64GB of storage.
It won't have such good battery life as the Lenovo P2 though, so you may prefer the phone that offers two-days from a single charge.
Read the full review: Blu Vivo 6
