LeEco Le Max 2 vs OnePlus 5: A Detailed Comparison of Snapdragon Generations

The LeEco Le Max 2 and OnePlus 5 represent interesting points in Qualcomm's Snapdragon evolution. The Le Max 2, launched with the Snapdragon 820, aimed to disrupt the market with aggressive pricing. The OnePlus 5, arriving later with the Snapdragon 835, refined the flagship experience. This comparison dissects their differences, focusing on how the chipset and other key specs translate to real-world performance.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 835 offers a noticeable performance uplift and improved efficiency, resulting in longer battery life (83h vs 67h). While the Le Max 2 remains a capable device, the OnePlus 5’s refinements justify its higher price point.

PHONES
Phone Names LeEco Le Max 2 OnePlus 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - X821HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 - X8211, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - GlobalCDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2016, April. Released 2016, May2017, June. Released 2017, June
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions156.8 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)154.2 x 74.1 x 7.3 mm (6.07 x 2.92 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)153 g (5.40 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOptic AMOLED
Platform
CPUQuad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 530Adreno 540
OSAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow), eUI 5.6Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-16 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF 20 MP, f/2.6, 36mm (standard), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, 1.6x optical zoom, AF
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRHDR, panorama, dual-LED flash
Single21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@30/120/480fps, Auto HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audioDirac HD sound
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC220W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsRose gold, gold, silver, grayMidnight Black, Slate Gray
ModelsLe X821, Le X829, Le X820, LEX820, LEX821, LEX829A5000
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 67h Endurance rating 83h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1444:1 (nominal), 2.567 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.914 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 74dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB Voice 69dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 77dB
Performance Basemark OS II 2.0: 2063Basemark X: 33874 GeekBench: 6604 (v4.4) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LeEco Le Max 2

  • Aggressive pricing offered excellent value.
  • Snapdragon 820 still provides adequate performance for everyday tasks.
  • Decent display contrast ratio for the time.

  • Inferior chipset compared to the Snapdragon 835.
  • Shorter battery life.
  • Potentially less refined software experience.

OnePlus 5

  • Superior performance with the Snapdragon 835.
  • Longer battery life and faster charging.
  • Better display contrast and visibility.

  • Higher price point.
  • May not represent a massive upgrade for basic users.
  • Software updates may be limited given its age.

Display Comparison

Both phones feature displays capable of excellent contrast, but the OnePlus 5 pulls ahead with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (3.914 in sunlight) compared to the Le Max 2’s 1444:1 (2.567 in sunlight). This suggests deeper blacks and better visibility under direct sunlight on the OnePlus 5. While both are adequate, the OnePlus 5’s display offers a more visually striking experience. Details regarding panel technology (LCD vs AMOLED) are missing, but the contrast ratio difference is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given OnePlus’s history, the OnePlus 5 likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details on the Le Max 2’s camera suggests it may not be a primary selling point.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 5’s Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, is a significant upgrade over the Le Max 2’s Snapdragon 820 (14nm). The 835’s octa-core CPU (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) outperforms the 820’s quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the OnePlus 5. The 10nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 5 boasts a superior endurance rating of 83 hours compared to the Le Max 2’s 67 hours. This is likely a combination of the more efficient Snapdragon 835 chipset and potentially optimized software. While both support fast charging, the OnePlus 5’s 20W wired charging is faster than the Le Max 2’s 18W QC2 charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The OnePlus 5’s efficiency gains are more impactful than a larger battery capacity would be.

Buying Guide

Buy the LeEco Le Max 2 if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. It's a good option for users who need a functional smartphone on a tight budget. Buy the OnePlus 5 if you value performance, battery life, and a smoother, more refined user experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently game, multitask, or demand consistent responsiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 820 in the LeEco Le Max 2 still good enough for modern apps?
While the Snapdragon 820 was a flagship processor in its time, it will show its age with demanding modern applications and games. It's capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming, but may struggle with graphically intensive games or heavy multitasking. The Snapdragon 835 in the OnePlus 5 offers a much smoother experience.
❓ How does the thermal performance differ between the LeEco Le Max 2 and OnePlus 5 during extended gaming sessions?
The OnePlus 5, with its Snapdragon 835 built on a 10nm process, is significantly more thermally efficient than the LeEco Le Max 2’s Snapdragon 820 (14nm). This means the OnePlus 5 is less likely to throttle performance during prolonged gaming sessions, maintaining higher frame rates for longer periods. The Le Max 2 may experience more noticeable performance drops as it heats up.
❓ Given their age, are software updates still available for either of these phones?
Software update support for both devices is likely limited or non-existent at this point. LeEco has largely exited the smartphone market, and while OnePlus provides updates for a longer period, the OnePlus 5 is beyond its official support window. Users should expect to rely on custom ROMs if they desire newer Android versions or security patches.