Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 offers a premium experience with its versatile 360-degree hinge and a resolution of 1920x1200. In real-world use, this means more vertical screen space for multitasking compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's 1920x1080 display. However, the Inspiron 15's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling, especially beneficial for gaming or fast-paced content, making it a compelling budget option in 2026. Key specs: Display: 14" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 (mid-range) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Lenovo IdeaPad | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.2★ (21 reviews) | ✓4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Versatile 360-degree hinge allows for laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | Display color gamut is limited to 45% NTSC, resulting in less vibrant colors | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Budget |
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(21)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 2242 SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2242 slot; supports up to 1TB) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 14" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS (Glossy; Touchscreen) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 300 nits | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) without NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Palm rest) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD camera with Privacy Shutter | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Power Delivery 3.0 / DisplayPort 1.4); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (One Always On); 1x SD card reader | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0; (Note: USB-C is often ABSENT on i5-1235U US retail units) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4b (Supports up to 4K@30Hz) | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 52.5 Wh (Polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 65 W Round Tip (Barrel connector) adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,550 g (3.42 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | PC-ABS + 40% GF (Plastic chassis) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
16 GB LPDDR4x-4266
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Versatile 360-degree hinge allows for laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes
- Modern 16:10 WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution provides more vertical screen real estate
Cons
- Display color gamut is limited to 45% NTSC, resulting in less vibrant colors
- HDMI 1.4b port is limited to 4K output at only 30Hz
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz
Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially)
Pros
- 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops
- Memory (RAM) is not soldered and can be upgraded via two SODIMM slots
Cons
- Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port
- HDMI 1.4 port cannot output 4K at 60Hz (limited to 1080p)
Which one is better?
Grab the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 if you want a lighter laptop with a smoother 120Hz display - it's lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 if: you want a versatile 2-in-1 design, need a higher resolution for productivity, or prefer longer battery life.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a smoother display for gaming, want a budget-friendly option, or require upgradeable RAM for better performance. (15.6" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.5★ vs 4.2★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 21
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Lenovo IdeaPad
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U leads with a 4.5★ rating versus 4.2★. That said, Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 is the better choice if you prioritize versatile 360-degree hinge allows for laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U wins if you value 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Both are rated highly (4.2★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 offers versatile 360-degree hinge allows for laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes, while Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U stands out with 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Consider that Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" 2-in-1 display color gamut is limited to 45% ntsc, resulting in less vibrant colors. Meanwhile, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U most high-volume us retail configurations (e.g., best buy) lack a usb-c port. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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