IFA: Lenovo unveils Vibe Z2 and X2 Android KitKat smartphones

Says unibody metal and 'layered' handsets are its most advanced to date

BERLIN: Lenovo has unveiled its latest Vibe Z2 and Vibe X2 smartphones alongside its first ever Android 8in tablet, the Tab S8.

The Vibe Z2, X2 and Tab S8 were unveiled at Lenovo's IFA keynote in Berlin and all come loaded with a wealth of cutting-edge components.

The Vibe Z2 (pictured above) features a rectangular unibody metal chassis with a similar brushed finish to that seen on HTC's current One M8 handset. The Vibe Z2 is confirmed to feature a 5.5in HD display and run using a quad-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Lenovo said it expects the Vibe Z2's 13MP rear camera with Sony Exmor BSI sensor, optical stabilisation and 8MP front camera to prove key selling points for the device.

Past this the Vibe Z2 will be powered by 3,000mAh battery Lenovo claims will offer users at least a full days use of one charge, feature 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

Meanwhile the Vibe X2 (pictured below) is designed to target the mid-range smartphone market. Lenovo claims the 7.27mm-thick Vibe X2 is "the world's first layered smartphone".

The layered design lets users clip a variety of add-on attachments, called "Xtensions", to the Vibe X2. The attachments are designed to add new functions to the Vibe X2, such as improved sound quality.

Despite being mid-range the Vibe X2 features a number of top-end components including a 5in Full HD in-plane switching (IPS) display and MediaTek MT6595 True8Core processor.

Past this the Vibe X2 will feature 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras, 2GB RAM, 32GB of storage and run using Android 4.4 KitKat overlaid with Lenovo's custom "Vibe UI" skin.

Both handsets are dual-SIM and will be launched in China in September. It is currently unclear if the Vibe Z2 or X2 will be released in the UK, though Lenovo has promised to make the phones "available in select regions starting in October".

The Vibe X2 is the more affordable option of the two and will cost $399 SIM-free. The Vibe Z2 will cost a slightly more premium $429.

Lenovo unveiled its first 8in tablet, the Tab S8 (pictured above), alongside the Vibe smartphones. The Tab S8 will run using a quad-core 1.83GHz Intel Atom processor and feature an impressive 8in 1920x1200 IPS Infinity screen. There is currently no word about how much the Tab S8 will cost or if it will be released in the UK.

In the past Lenovo has shied away from releasing its smartphones in Western markets, where it has a negligible presence in the mobile market. Lenovo announced plans to buy Google-owned smartphone maker Motorola Mobility for $2.91bn in a bid to help improve its Western mobile presence in January.

Check back with V3 later for hands on reviews of the Lenovo Vibe Z2, X2 and Tab S8.