The Asus ROG Phone 9 and Lenovo Legion Y90 represent two distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The ROG Phone 9 arrives with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising a leap in performance and efficiency, while the Legion Y90, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, offers a compelling experience at a potentially lower price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device reigns supreme for mobile gamers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Asus ROG Phone 9 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivers demonstrably better performance and efficiency, coupled with a brighter display and longer battery life. While the Legion Y90 offers faster wired charging, the ROG Phone 9’s overall package provides a more refined and future-proof gaming experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 19 | 2022, March 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 20 | Available. Released 2022, March 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 177 x 78.4 x 10.1 mm (6.97 x 3.09 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 227 g (8.01 oz) | 252 g (8.89 oz) |
| | - | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
4 ultrasonic buttons (Gaming triggers) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 185Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 12, ZUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 640GB 18GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1
640GB (512GB UFS + 128GB SSD) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+ | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm | 16 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 46 min
15W wireless (Qi)
10W reverse wired | 68W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | 5800 mAh | Li-Po 5600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Storm White | Gray |
| Models | AI2501-12G256G-BK, AI2501-12G256G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-BK | L71061 |
| Price | £ 799.99 / € 899.90 | About 570 EUR |
Asus ROG Phone 9
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Brighter and more efficient display
- Longer battery life (16:41h active use)
- Slower wired charging (46 minutes)
- Higher price point
Lenovo Legion Y90
- Faster wired charging (35 minutes)
- Potentially lower price
- Capable gaming performance
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Less efficient battery life
- Likely dimmer display
Display Comparison
The Asus ROG Phone 9 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1958 nits, compared to the Legion Y90’s unspecified peak brightness (though likely lower given the chipset generation). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and a more immersive HDR experience. While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, the ROG Phone 9’s superior brightness and potential for LTPO technology (based on ROG Phone history) suggest a more efficient and visually appealing display. The ROG Phone 9’s panel is likely to offer better color accuracy and wider color gamut coverage, enhancing the visual fidelity of games and multimedia content.
Camera Comparison
Neither phone is primarily focused on camera prowess, but the ROG Phone 9 likely benefits from newer image signal processing capabilities inherent in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Without specific camera specs for the Legion Y90 beyond the chipset, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the ROG Phone 9’s newer chipset will likely offer improved noise reduction and dynamic range in photos and videos. Both phones likely feature capable main sensors, but the ROG Phone 9’s image processing pipeline will likely be more refined.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Asus ROG Phone 9’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) represents a substantial architectural upgrade over the Lenovo Legion Y90’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Elite utilizes Oryon CPU cores, specifically the Phoenix L and M variants, clocked at up to 4.32 GHz, offering a significant performance advantage over the Legion Y90’s Cortex-X2 and A710 cores peaking at 3.00 GHz. The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. While the Legion Y90 remains a capable performer, the ROG Phone 9 delivers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience, particularly in demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Asus ROG Phone 9 demonstrates superior battery endurance with an active use score of 16:41 hours. While the Legion Y90’s battery capacity is unknown, the ROG Phone 9’s combination of a more efficient chipset and optimized software yields a longer runtime. The Legion Y90 compensates with faster 68W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in 35 minutes, compared to the ROG Phone 9’s 46 minutes with its 65W charging. The ROG Phone 9 also adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging, features absent in the Legion Y90.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 if you prioritize peak performance, extended battery life during gaming sessions, and a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s ideal for competitive gamers and power users who demand the best. Buy the Lenovo Legion Y90 if you are on a tighter budget and prioritize extremely fast wired charging, accepting a trade-off in raw processing power and battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the ROG Phone 9 significantly reduce thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Legion Y90 during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm process node and improved architecture contribute to significantly better thermal efficiency. This means the ROG Phone 9 is less likely to experience performance throttling during prolonged gaming, maintaining higher frame rates for longer periods compared to the Legion Y90.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 9 compare to the 68W charging on the Legion Y90 in real-world usage?
While the Legion Y90 charges slightly faster (35 minutes vs. 46 minutes), the difference is relatively minor. The ROG Phone 9’s added benefit of 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging provides greater versatility, offsetting the slightly slower wired charging speed.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Oryon cores in the ROG Phone 9 and the Cortex cores in the Legion Y90 noticeable in everyday tasks and less demanding games?
The difference is less pronounced in everyday tasks, but still present. In less demanding games, both phones will perform well. However, the ROG Phone 9’s superior CPU will provide smoother multitasking and faster app loading times, and a more consistent experience in graphically intensive titles.
