Lenovo announced a new flagship mobile phone, ZUK Z2 Pro, a device which it claims is “the world’s first mobile phone that can fully activate the potential of [Qualcomm’s] Snapdragon 820 platform”.

The company said that the device “thoroughly overthrows the idea that CPU and GPU are the sole indicators of a flagship mobile phone”, instead adopting a “CPU+GPU+SPU concept”.

This sees the integration of “ten professional sensors”, enabling the smartphone to “perceive the true world with data, and then map the relationship among humans, equipment, environment and scenarios using multi-dimensional data”.

Lenovo said that the device features a “U-health” application which uses the sensors to monitor activity, including integrated heart rate, blood oxygen and UV sensors which helps inform users about sports intensity.

Aside from its bevvy of sensors, Lenovo said the device has a “roll-cage shock-absorptive design”. It includes a Samsung-made 5.2-inch full HD screen, with the  ability to dim the display and cut blue light when used in the dark, or increase brightness for improved outdoor performance.

ZUK Z2 Pro has a 13MP main camera, including 4K and “960fps ultra-high-speed” video. Two versions are available, with 64GB or 128GB of storage, with the latter also including 6GB of RAM and priced at CNY2,699 ($416).

ZUK branding
Previously, Lenovo has positioned ZUK as a separate “start-up”, similar to Huawei’s Honor and ZTE’s Nubia. With Z2 Pro, however, it is now being positioned as a Lenovo sub-brand, on a par with its Vibe and Moto products.

The company has not commented on the new strategy.

User programme
Also announced was the U Program, which will see 1,000 participants trialling products manufactured by Lenovo this year. The intention is to generate “feedback and suggestions for using and improving Lenovo mobile phones”.

The ZUK Z2 Pro is the first product to feature under the effort.

Lenovo joins a number of vendors looking to engage users in the evolution of products, with, for example, ZTE announcing a similar effort earlier this year.