The LeEco Le 2 and Honor 9 Lite represent a fascinating intersection of older flagship aspirations and refined budget execution. Released in different eras, both phones aimed to deliver a compelling experience at an accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device holds up better today, focusing on the critical differences in their processing power and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and consistent performance, the Honor 9 Lite emerges as the better choice. While the LeEco Le 2 boasts a more complex deca-core processor, the Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659, built on a smaller 16nm process, delivers a smoother, more thermally managed experience, translating to better sustained performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | Yes, 384 kbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, April. Released 2016, April | 2017, December. Released 2017, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.1 x 74.2 x 7.5 mm (5.95 x 2.92 x 0.30 in) | 151 x 71.9 x 7.6 mm (5.94 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 153 g (5.40 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.65 inches, 82.0 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Deca-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) | Octa-core (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6797 Helio X20 (20 nm)Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880 MP4Adreno 510 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), EUI 5.6 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2, 50% in 30 min | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose gold, gold, silver, grey | Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, Glacier Gray, Navy, Seagull Gray, Magic Nightfall, Pearl White |
| Models | Le X526, Le X620, Le X520, Le X527, X526 | LLD-AL00, LLD-AL10, LLD-TL10, LLD-L31, LLD-L21, LLD-L11 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 190 EUR |
LeEco Le 2
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance in short bursts.
- Faster charging with QC2 support.
- Deca-core processor offers theoretical multitasking advantages.
- Less efficient 20nm process leads to higher power consumption.
- Prone to thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Older chipset may lack software optimizations.
Honor 9 Lite
- More efficient 16nm process for better battery life.
- Smoother, more consistent performance due to thermal management.
- Likely benefits from more refined software and camera processing.
- Lower theoretical peak CPU performance.
- May not offer the same charging speed as the LeEco Le 2.
- Octa-core processor may be less capable in extreme multitasking scenarios.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided in the context data. However, given the release timelines, it's reasonable to assume both devices feature 1080p LCD panels. The Honor 9 Lite likely benefits from more refined color calibration and viewing angles due to its later release. The LeEco Le 2, being an older model, may exhibit slightly less accurate color reproduction and wider bezels.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Assuming typical configurations for these price points, the Honor 9 Lite likely offers a more refined camera experience due to advancements in image processing algorithms. While both phones likely feature a primary camera, the Honor 9 Lite’s later release suggests improved dynamic range and low-light performance. The LeEco Le 2’s camera may rely more heavily on software processing, potentially leading to less natural-looking images.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The LeEco Le 2’s Mediatek Helio X20 is a deca-core processor built on a 20nm process, featuring a cluster of high-performance Cortex-A72 cores alongside more efficient A53 cores. This architecture aims for peak performance but suffers from inefficiencies due to the larger node size. Conversely, the Honor 9 Lite utilizes the Kirin 659, an octa-core processor fabricated on a more efficient 16nm process. While the Kirin 659’s Cortex-A53 cores are clocked slightly lower (1.7 GHz vs 1.4/2.0 GHz on the LeEco), the smaller process node and optimized architecture result in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The LeEco's 2x2.3 GHz A72 cores *could* outperform the Kirin 659 in short bursts, but the 16nm process gives the Honor 9 Lite the edge in prolonged tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified. However, the Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659’s superior power efficiency translates to better real-world battery life. The LeEco Le 2’s Helio X20, despite offering 18W Quick Charge 2.0 (50% in 30 minutes), will likely drain the battery faster under similar usage conditions. The 16nm process of the Kirin 659 provides a significant advantage in power consumption, extending usage time between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the LeEco Le 2 if you are a power user comfortable with potential thermal throttling and are seeking the theoretical peak performance of a deca-core processor for specific, bursty tasks. Buy the Honor 9 Lite if you prioritize consistent, all-day performance, efficient battery usage, and a more refined user experience, even if it means sacrificing some theoretical processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LeEco Le 2 get noticeably hotter than the Honor 9 Lite during gaming?
Yes, the LeEco Le 2’s Helio X20, built on a 20nm process, is significantly more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659, with its 16nm process, will maintain higher sustained performance and remain cooler, providing a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the deca-core processor in the LeEco Le 2 actually useful for everyday tasks?
While the deca-core configuration sounds impressive, the benefits are often minimal for typical smartphone usage. The Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659 provides ample performance for everyday tasks, and its efficiency advantage means it won’t be constantly sacrificing battery life to maintain that performance.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Honor 9 Lite's optimized architecture and efficient power management allow it to handle multitasking more smoothly over extended periods. The LeEco Le 2 might show initial speed, but will likely slow down due to thermal throttling when running many apps concurrently.
