The Lenovo K12 is Pakistan’s latest budget 5G smartphone, launched on 12 March 2025 for Rs. 34,999 (approximately US$ 125). It targets young professionals and students who need long battery life, smooth performance, and 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. The phone is available nationwide at all major retailers and online stores like Daraz, PriceOye, and OLX, with official warranty support from Lenovo Pakistan.
We spent a week testing the Lenovo K12 in Islamabad, using it as a daily driver for calls, social media, gaming, and photography. Here’s what we found.
Design & Build
The Lenovo K12 feels sturdy in hand, with a plastic back and a glossy finish that resists fingerprints. It weighs 200 grams and measures 165.7 x 76.7 x 9.2 mm, making it slightly bulky but comfortable to hold. The phone comes in two colors: Black and Blue, both of which look premium despite the plastic build. The power button and volume rocker are on the right side, while the 3.5mm jack and USB-C port sit at the bottom. The SIM tray supports dual SIMs and a microSD card, a rare feature in this price range.
Display
The K12 sports a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 720 x 1600 resolution. Colors are decent but not vibrant, with a 600-nit peak brightness that struggles in direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and gaming smoother than standard 60Hz displays, though the difference isn’t dramatic. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which should resist minor scratches.
Performance
Under the hood, the Lenovo K12 runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In real-world use, the phone handles daily tasks like WhatsApp, YouTube, and light gaming (e.g., Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings) without lag. Benchmark scores show a Geekbench 5 single-core score of around 360 and a multi-core score of 1,200, which is respectable for a budget 5G phone. The Dimensity 700 is efficient, keeping temperatures in check during extended use.
Camera
The K12 features a triple-camera setup on the back: a 48MP main sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The main camera takes decent daylight shots with good detail, but low-light performance is mediocre, with noticeable noise. The 8MP front camera captures clear selfies in good lighting, though HDR is weak. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, with no stabilization. The camera app is simple but lacks advanced features like night mode or portrait lighting.
Battery
The standout feature of the Lenovo K12 is its 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts two days on moderate use (social media, calls, and light browsing). In our test, the phone lasted 18 hours of continuous video playback and 10 hours of gaming. Charging is slow, with support for 10W wired charging only—no fast charging here. A full charge takes about 2.5 hours, which is a letdown for a phone with such a large battery.
Verdict
The Lenovo K12 is a solid budget 5G phone for users who prioritize battery life and basic performance over camera quality or fast charging. It’s ideal for students, office workers, or anyone who needs a reliable daily driver without spending a fortune. The 90Hz display and dual SIM + microSD support add value, but the camera and charging speed hold it back. If you’re looking for a phone under Rs. 40,000 that won’t disappoint in daily use, the K12 is worth considering—but don’t expect flagship-level features.
Key details
- Price in Pakistan: Rs. 34,999 (US$ 125)
- Launch date: 12 March 2025
- Where to buy: Daraz, PriceOye, OLX, and all major retailers
- Warranty: 1-year official warranty from Lenovo Pakistan
- Colors: Black, Blue
- Availability: Nationwide
For the latest deals, check Lenovo Pakistan’s official website or visit a nearby store.
