LeEco Le 2 vs. Apple iPhone 7: A Clash of Architectures and Ecosystems

Released in 2016, the LeEco Le 2 and Apple iPhone 7 represent contrasting approaches to the smartphone market. The LeEco Le 2 aimed to disrupt with a high core count and aggressive pricing, while the iPhone 7 refined Apple’s established formula. This comparison examines whether LeEco’s ambition could overcome Apple’s optimization and ecosystem advantages.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support, a polished user experience, and consistent performance, the Apple iPhone 7 is the superior choice. While the LeEco Le 2 boasts a deca-core processor, the iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion delivers more efficient and reliable performance, backed by Apple’s robust software ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names LeEco Le 2 Apple iPhone 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1660, A1778
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1660, A1778
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1660, A1778
SpeedYes, 384 kbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA - A1660
Launch
Announced2016, April. Released 2016, April2016, September 07. Released 2016, September 16
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions151.1 x 74.2 x 7.5 mm (5.95 x 2.92 x 0.30 in)138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight153 g (5.40 oz)138 g (4.87 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Ion-strengthened glass
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDRetina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
 -3D Touch display & home button
Platform
CPUDeca-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72, 4x2 GHz Cortex-A53, 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72)Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)
ChipsetMediatek MT6797 Helio X20 (20 nm)Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm)Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm)
GPUMali-T880 MP4Adreno 510PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics)
OSAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow), EUI 5.6iOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF, OIS
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps
Selfie camera
Features-Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CLightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC2, 50% in 30 min-
Talk time-Up to 14 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 1960 mAh, non-removable (7.45 Wh)
Misc
ColorsRose gold, gold, silver, greyJet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red
ModelsLe X526, Le X620, Le X520, Le X527, X526A1660, A1778, A1779, A1780, A1853, A1866, iPhone9,1, iPhone9,3
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 180 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.38 W/kg (head)     1.34 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 61h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1603:1 (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 75dB
Performance- Basemark OS II 2.0: 3416

LeEco Le 2

  • Aggressive pricing offered high specs for the money.
  • Deca-core processor potentially excels in multi-threaded tasks.
  • 18W fast charging with QC2 provides quick power-ups.

  • Software support and updates are likely limited.
  • Helio X20’s 20nm process is less efficient than the A10 Fusion’s 16nm.
  • Lack of detailed specs makes a comprehensive comparison difficult.

Apple iPhone 7

  • A10 Fusion delivers superior performance and efficiency.
  • Long-term software support and updates from Apple.
  • Well-integrated ecosystem and strong resale value.

  • Higher price point compared to the LeEco Le 2.
  • Charging speed data is unavailable.
  • Limited customization options compared to Android.

Display Comparison

Both the LeEco Le 2 and iPhone 7 share a contrast ratio of 1603:1 (nominal) and 3.964 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel type or resolution for the LeEco Le 2. The iPhone 7’s display, while not leading-edge at the time, benefited from Apple’s color calibration and True Tone technology, offering a more accurate and pleasing visual experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the LeEco Le 2 makes a definitive comparison difficult, but Apple’s established display quality is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

The provided data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for both devices, lacking crucial details like sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. Given Apple’s history, the iPhone 7 likely features a larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The iPhone 7’s camera was known for its accurate color reproduction and reliable performance in various lighting conditions. Without specific camera specs for the LeEco Le 2, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but Apple’s established camera expertise gives the iPhone 7 a likely advantage.

Performance

The LeEco Le 2’s Mediatek Helio X20 deca-core processor (20nm) attempts to overwhelm with sheer core count, featuring a tri-cluster configuration. However, the Apple A10 Fusion (16nm) utilizes a more efficient quad-core design with two high-performance 'Hurricane' cores and two energy-efficient 'Zephyr' cores. The A10 Fusion’s smaller manufacturing process and optimized architecture deliver superior single-core and multi-core performance, despite having fewer cores. The Helio X20’s 20nm process is less efficient, potentially leading to higher power consumption and thermal throttling under sustained load. While the LeEco Le 2 might show well in synthetic benchmarks, the iPhone 7 provides a smoother, more responsive real-world experience.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 61 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified in the data). However, the LeEco Le 2 supports 18W wired charging with QC2, enabling a 50% charge in 30 minutes. Charging speed data for the iPhone 7 is absent. The iPhone 7’s efficiency, stemming from the A10 Fusion’s optimized architecture, likely contributes to its comparable endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery. The LeEco Le 2’s faster charging is a notable advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the LeEco Le 2 if you prioritize raw processing power on a tight budget and are comfortable with potential software limitations and a less refined user experience. Buy the Apple iPhone 7 if you value a seamless user experience, long-term software updates, a strong resale value, and a well-integrated ecosystem, even if it means paying a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek Helio X20 in the LeEco Le 2 prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio X20’s 20nm process and high core count can lead to increased heat generation under sustained load. While it may perform well in short bursts, prolonged gaming or demanding tasks could result in thermal throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. The iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion, built on a 16nm process, is more efficient and less likely to experience significant throttling.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the LeEco Le 2 and the Apple iPhone 7?
The LeEco Le 2 runs a customized version of Android, which may lack the polish and consistent updates of Apple’s iOS. Apple provides long-term software support for its devices, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches for years. The LeEco Le 2’s software support is likely limited, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks and lacking new features over time.
❓ Does the LeEco Le 2 support VoLTE and carrier aggregation for improved network performance?
Support for VoLTE and carrier aggregation on the LeEco Le 2 is dependent on the specific region and carrier. Given its focus on cost reduction, it may have limited band support compared to the iPhone 7, which typically offers broad compatibility with major carriers worldwide. This could result in slower data speeds or dropped calls in certain areas.