Lenovo ZUK Z1: Ultimate In-depth Guide, Review, Opinion, Features, and Price

Lenovo decided to take a step forward in the competitive world of international mobile telephony with the creation of ZUK, a sub-brand aimed at winning over users outside the Asian market. Its first major launch, the Lenovo ZUK Z1, marked the arrival of a high-performance smartphone, solid in design, with a price-performance ratio that is difficult to match and aimed at both those looking for something more than the mid-range and advanced users who do not want to be carried away by the latest hardware but do seek reliability and good functionality.

One of the aspects that most differentiates the ZUK Z1 and what makes it stand out from other terminals in its segment is its commitment to a different operating system, the Cyanogen OS 12.1, based on Android and known for its enormous possibilities for customization and optimization, as well as a 4100 mAh large battery which promises truly outstanding battery life. But ZUK's offering goes much further: design, display, power, connectivity, and software details have all been designed to offer a competitive device in every aspect.

Lenovo ZUK Z1: Design, materials, and hands-on experience

Bet ZUK for offering a robust and elegant design It is evident from the first contact. The ZUK Z1 presents a aluminum chassis that wraps around the contour of the device, providing strength and a sophisticated aesthetic. Its Rounded edges They significantly improve ergonomics and achieve a comfortable and secure grip, even during extended use. On the back, the finish varies slightly depending on the color: the white model features a glossy plastic that mimics glass, while the dark gray is more subdued and matte. The entire design conveys a sense of quality, solidity, and durability.

On the front, the 5,5-inch screen takes up most of the space, making good use of the frames, although the lower one is slightly wider to accommodate a physical button with fingerprint readerThis sensor is fast and reliable, allowing you to unlock your smartphone instantly and offering biometric security at a very competitive price. But if you'd like to dig deeper into its specifications, you can visit All the features of the Lenovo ZUK Z1. Next to the main button, two backlit touch keys make it easier to navigate the Android interface.

The terminal features a 8,9 mm thickness and a weight of 175 grams, justified by the impressive battery and metal construction. Although it's not the lightest or thinnest phone, this feature plays in its favor in terms of durability and battery life, providing that "premium feel" often sought in higher-priced devices.

The power and volume buttons are located on the right side and, although they are made of plastic to keep the weight under control, they provide good response. The speaker is on the bottom frame next to the connector. USB 3.0 Type C reversible, which provides faster data transfer speeds and ease of connection, although it requires compatible cables. For a full overview of its specifications, see the article about its features and price.

Lenovo ZUK Z1 Specs: High-End Competent Hardware

El Lenovo ZUK Z1 It is configured as a true super mid-range, mixing high-end technologies from the previous generation with some innovations and outstanding component integration within the competitive price range:

Display: 5,5-inch IPS LCD, Full HD resolution (1080 x 1920 pixels), 401 ppi density and 450 nits brightness.
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC) Quad-core 2,5 GHz, Adreno 330 GPU.
RAM: 3 GB LPDDR3
Internal storage: 64 GB eMMC 5.0 (not expandable via microSD)
Battery: 4100 mAh, non-removable lithium polymer (Li-Po) technology. Charges at 5V/2A via USB Type-C.
Rear camera: 13 MP Sony Exmor RS IMX214, f/2.2 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), dual-LED flash, Full HD (1080p) video recording.
Frontal camera: 8 MP, f/2.2 aperture, Full HD (1080p) video recording.
Connectivity: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM), 4G LTE (Cat4), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual band, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS, 3,5 mm audio jack, USB Type C 3.0.
Sensors: Fingerprint reader, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, compass, barometer, Hall effect, dual microphone for noise cancellation.
Operating system: Cyanogen OS 12.1 (based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop), upgradeable to CyanogenMod 13 for those looking to stay up to date.
Available colors: White and dark grey.
Dimensions 155,7 x 77,3 x 8,9 mm.
Weight: 175 grams.
Others: Aluminum body, USB OTG, fast charging (100% in about 2,5 hours), audio playback with support for MP3, WAV, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC, no microSD slot, no NFC or FM radio.

Display and visual experience on the ZUK Z1

One of the components where ZUK has not skimped is on the screen. The 5,5-inch IPS LCD panel brag about Full HD resolution (1080 x 1920), ensuring excellent definition for image viewing, web browsing, video playback, and gaming. With a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch and a brightness of up to 450 nits, it can be used without problems even in bright daylight.

El vision angle It's practically complete thanks to IPS technology, and the contrast (1:1500) ensures correct display of details in dark scenes and multimedia content. Although it tends to slightly saturate greens and blues, the colors are vibrant and pleasing, and the white balance is adequate even with reduced brightness. If you want to expand your knowledge about the visual experience, you may be interested in visiting .

A notable feature, inherited from CyanogenOS, is the Live display, which automatically adjusts the color temperature based on the time of day. The screen becomes warmer at night to reduce eye fatigue and cooler and sharper during the day, adapting to the environment and optimizing the viewing experience.

Performance and power: Snapdragon 801 for multitasking

El Snapdragon 801 It has established itself as one of the most reliable processors of past generations, and although it is not the most recent SoC, its performance is still outstanding in multitasking, gaming, heavy applications and intensive daily use. 3 GB of RAM They allow you to manage numerous applications in the background without any problems, and the user experience is fluid, without lags or slowdowns.

According to the benchmarks, the results place the ZUK Z1 at the top of the mid-range, even rivaling some older high-end models:

AnTuTu: about 35.800 points
Quadrant: over 23.000 points
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited: about 19.100 points
PCMark – Work Performance: between 3.300 and 3.500 points

Synthetic test results are for reference only, but real-world experience confirms that this power pack is more than sufficient for the vast majority of users, especially those who value long-term stability.

Battery: several days of autonomy thanks to 4100 mAh

One of the strengths of ZUK Z1 is its huge 4100 mAh battery, which places it at the top of the range in its segment. In real-life conditions, it can easily be achieved two days of use on a single charge, and for less intensive users, even longer. 7-8 hours of screen time are entirely possible, allowing you to endure long sessions of browsing, multimedia playback, gaming, and social media management without worrying about finding a power outlet.

Charging is done through the innovative USB Type C And while it doesn't include the most advanced fast-charging technologies, it can be fully recharged in about 2 hours thanks to the 10W (5V/2A) charger. For more details on its battery life, you can visit .

Lenovo ZUK Z1 cameras: Sony quality in the mid-range

In the photographic section, the ZUK Z1 stands out for incorporating a 214 MP Sony Exmor RS IMX13 sensor in the rear camera, which offers Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), f/2.2 aperture, dual-LED flash, and Full HD video recording at 60 fps. This sensor is known for its reliability and has been used in successful models such as the OnePlus One and the Huawei Mate 7.

The main camera manages to capture images with good sharpness, vivid colors, and low noise in adequate lighting conditions. Focusing is fast and accurate, and the HDR feature helps in high dynamic range scenes. For a more detailed review of its photography capabilities, check out its specifications. In low-light conditions, performance is adequate for its range, although some grain and slight loss of detail may appear.

Advanced features:

Autofocus and touch focus
Face and smile recognition
Digital zoom
Auto HDR
Intuitive interface and easy handling of main controls

The front camera, of 8 SM With an f/2.2 aperture, it also impresses with the quality of its selfies and video calls, with good detail and the ability to record Full HD video. For a more complete experience, check out the camera features on the model's official website.

Operating System and Customization: CyanogenOS, the Heart of the ZUK Z1

The Lenovo ZUK Z1 was one of the first smartphones to include Cyanogen OS 12.1 stock, one of the most advanced Android ROMs of its time. Cyanogen allows for a extensive customization of the interface and functions, giving the user full control over the appearance of the system and the behavior of the applications.

Key features of Cyanogen OS on the ZUK Z1:

Themes: Extensive catalog of themes and options to change icons, backgrounds, fonts, and animations.
Audio FX: Advanced equalizer to optimize sound, ideal for users who use headphones or external speakers.
Privacy settings: Privacy Guard to control app permissions and manage personal data.
Fingerprint management: Intuitive application to easily register and delete fingerprints.
Updates: Direct access to new versions of CyanogenMod thanks to the international and open nature of the terminal.
Own apps: File Explorer, improved gallery, battery manager, and pre-installed system tools.

The CyanogenOS experience is characterized by outstanding speed, smooth transitions, and a notable lack of bloatware, which frees up space for the user and improves system agility. Furthermore, the independence from Google services is well-designed, allowing for their use but without limiting the installation of alternatives.

Connectivity and advanced features

The ZUK Z1 delivers in a big way in the field of connectivity:

Dual SIM Nano-SIM in standby mode, allowing the use of two lines simultaneously.
Global compatibility with 2G, 3G and 4G LTE networks (Cat 4), although it does not include the 800 MHz band for LTE in some countries.
Dual-band MIMO WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 (with A2DP), USB OTG, GPS and A-GPS with GLONASS support.
Reversible USB 3.0 Type C port, facilitating fast and efficient connections.
3,5 mm audio jack for conventional headphones.

However, it does involve certain secondary absences such as lack of NFC, FM radio y microSD support, aspects that may be relevant for very specific uses. To learn about all of its features, visit the dedicated section at .

Audio and multimedia on the ZUK Z1

The Lenovo ZUK Z1's sound system is well-designed for its segment. The main speaker is located on the bottom edge and offers acceptable power and clear performance, although it may lose some power if covered by a hand during horizontal use. Thanks to the Integrated AudioFX In CyanogenOS, the headphone listening experience is customizable and remarkably high-quality, especially when playing lossless audio formats like FLAC.

The phone supports all the most popular multimedia formats (MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, MP4, H.264/H.263 for video) and allows you to use third-party apps from Google Play thanks to the freedom of the operating system. For more information, check out the multimedia features in our full ZUK Z1 review.

Sensors, security and smart functions

One of the hallmarks of the ZUK Z1 is its fingerprint reader Fast and precise, allowing you to unlock your device and protect your personal data easily and efficiently. In addition, the device incorporates a full range of sensors designed to improve the user experience:

Accelerometer, gyroscope and compass for games and navigation apps.
Proximity sensor y ambient light sensor to optimize consumption and the experience in calls and viewing.
Barometer for sports and weather applications.
Hall effect that detects magnetic cases and accessories.

Comparison with other models in the same range

At the time of its launch, the ZUK Z1 was in direct competition with models such as the OnePlus One, the Huawei Honor 6 and other devices from manufacturers like Sony, LG, and Xiaomi. However, its combination of hardware, battery life, and CyanogenOS placed it in a privileged position. For a more detailed comparison, see .

OnePlus One: similar specifications, but smaller battery.
Honor 6: Full HD display and 8-core processor, but 3.100 mAh battery and less customization.
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua and Alcatel Idol 3: inferior in storage and autonomy.

The ZUK Z1 surpassed many in terms of internal storage (64 GB by default) and autonomy, and balanced hardware with software very well.

Availability and price of the Lenovo ZUK Z1

El Lenovo ZUK Z1 has been available in different markets through online channels and, in some countries, in physical stores. Its price has ranged from 137 and 340 euros Depending on offers, promotions, and distributors, the device can be found on stores like Amazon, Gearbest, and other international platforms, often with discounts when applying special coupons or during clearance sales.

Approximate launch price: 285 to 340euros, depending on the store.
On platforms like Gearbest, thanks to exclusive coupons, it was offered for 137,34 Euros on certain occasions.
Available colors: white and dark gray.

The device has enjoyed good international distribution, support for most 4G bands, and a strong user community active in international forums.

User reviews and long-term experience

El Lenovo ZUK Z1 has received very positive reviews from those looking for a reliable, powerful mobile phone with great autonomy without sacrificing a thoughtful design. The most highly rated features are the battery, storage, stable performance, and the freedom offered by CyanogenOS. Furthermore, as an "international" device, it's ideal for users who travel or seek compatibility in different countries.

Some users also highlight the lack of bloatware, the quality of the build quality and sound, as well as the ease of rooting and customization for those who want to experiment with alternative ROMs. As areas for improvement, they cite the lack of memory expansion and the absence of NFC or FM radio, issues that may be relevant for those who require these very specific extras.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lenovo ZUK Z1

Can the operating system be updated? Yes, in addition to official Cyanogen support, the community has developed alternative ROMs and unofficial updates that allow you to enjoy newer versions of Android.
Is it compatible with 4G networks in all countries? The international model supports most bands, although in some locations it may not include the 800 MHz band.
Is the battery removable? No, it is integrated to improve structure and autonomy.
How is the fingerprint reader? Very fast, reliable, and easy to configure, both for unlocking and protecting apps.
Does it have support for OTG and accessories? Yes, with the USB Type-C port, it is compatible with external memory, keyboards, mice and more.