LeEco Le Max 2 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: A Detailed Comparison of 2016 Flagships

In 2016, the LeEco Le Max 2 arrived as a disruptor, promising flagship specs at a significantly lower price point than established players like Samsung. This comparison revisits the battle between the LeEco Le Max 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offered the better overall experience, and how they hold up even today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge emerges as the superior device. While the LeEco Le Max 2 offered compelling value, the S7 edge’s significantly longer battery life (92h vs 67h endurance rating), superior display contrast, and broader feature set – including wireless charging – justify its higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names LeEco Le Max 2 Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G935FD, G9350
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - X821HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G935F, G935FD, G935W8
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G935F, G935FD
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global-
Launch
Announced2016, April. Released 2016, May2016, February 21. Released 2016, March 11
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.8 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (5.94 x 2.86 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM (G935F, G935W8)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (G935FD)
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)157 g (5.54 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED
Platform
CPUQuad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) - G9350Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) - G935FD, G935F, G935W8
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm)Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) - G9350Exynos 8890 Octa (14 nm) - G935FD, G935F, G935W8
GPUAdreno 530Adreno 530 - G9350Mali-T880 MP12 - G935FD, G935F, G935W8
OSAndroid 6.0 (Marshmallow), eUI 5.6Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), TouchWiz UI
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.25 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm
Video1080p@30fps-
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC215W wired, QC2 Wireless (Qi) (market dependent)
Music play-Up to 74 h
Talk time-Up to 27 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3600 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsRose gold, gold, silver, grayBlack, White, Gold, Silver, Pink Gold, Black Pearl, Coral Blue
ModelsLe X821, Le X829, Le X820, LEX820, LEX821, LEX829SM-G935F, SM-G935FD, SM-G935W8, SM-G9350, SM-G935S, SC-02H, SM-G935K, SM-G935L, SM-G935R4, SCV33, SM-G935X, SM-G935VC, SM-G935D
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 330 EUR
SAR-0.56 W/kg (head)     0.66 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.26 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 67h Endurance rating 92h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1444:1 (nominal), 2.567 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.439 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 74dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB Voice 70dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 71dB
Performance Basemark OS II 2.0: 2063Basemark X: 33874 GFXBench: 8.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LeEco Le Max 2

  • Aggressive pricing offered excellent value.
  • Snapdragon 820 provided flagship-level performance.
  • QC2 fast charging offered reasonable charging speeds.

  • Significantly shorter battery life compared to the S7 edge.
  • Display contrast ratio was noticeably lower.
  • Lacked wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

  • Exceptional display quality with high contrast and brightness.
  • Superior battery life with wireless charging support.
  • More refined software experience and brand reputation.

  • Higher price point compared to the LeEco Le Max 2.
  • Exynos variant potentially prone to thermal throttling.
  • Software bloatware (depending on carrier/region).

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge boasts a clear advantage in display quality. While both phones utilize a 14nm Snapdragon 820 chipset, the S7 edge’s display exhibits an ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) and a sunlight contrast of 4.439, significantly outperforming the Le Max 2’s 1444:1 (nominal) and 2.567 sunlight contrast. This translates to deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior visibility in direct sunlight. The S7 edge’s curved display also adds to its premium aesthetic and provides a more immersive viewing experience, a feature absent on the Le Max 2.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable camera systems, but detailed specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are lacking. The S7 edge’s reputation for image processing and low-light performance was significantly stronger at the time of release. Samsung’s history of camera innovation, including features like Dual Pixel autofocus, likely provided a more refined and consistent photography experience. The Le Max 2, while capable, didn’t benefit from the same level of software optimization and brand recognition in the camera space. Without sensor size or aperture data, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the S7 edge likely held an edge in overall image quality.

Performance

Both the LeEco Le Max 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge are equipped with the Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) in some regions. However, the S7 edge also shipped with the Exynos 8890 Octa (14 nm) in other markets. Both CPUs feature a quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo). The Exynos variant offers a different CPU architecture (Octa-core: 4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) which, while potentially offering higher peak performance, was often criticized for thermal throttling under sustained load. The Le Max 2, consistently using the Snapdragon 820, offered a more stable performance profile, though the S7 edge’s GPU performance remained comparable across both chipset variants. Both devices likely utilized LPDDR4 RAM, though specific speeds aren’t provided.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge’s endurance rating of 92 hours significantly surpasses the LeEco Le Max 2’s 67 hours. While both support QC2 fast charging (18W for LeEco, 15W for Samsung), the S7 edge adds the convenience of wireless (Qi) charging, a feature absent on the Le Max 2. This combination of larger capacity and wireless charging makes the S7 edge the clear winner for users prioritizing all-day battery life and charging flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the LeEco Le Max 2 if you prioritize aggressive pricing and are comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. It’s a good option for users who want flagship-level performance on a budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge if you value a premium build quality, exceptional display, longer battery life, and a more polished, feature-rich user experience. It’s ideal for users who demand the best possible Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Did the Exynos version of the Galaxy S7 edge overheat during demanding tasks?
Yes, the Exynos 8890 variant of the Galaxy S7 edge was known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during gaming or video recording. This was due to the chip's architecture and manufacturing process, leading to higher temperatures compared to the Snapdragon 820 version.
❓ Was the LeEco Le Max 2’s software experience as polished as Samsung’s?
No, LeEco’s eUI was generally considered less refined and more prone to bugs compared to Samsung’s TouchWiz (at the time). Users often reported issues with software updates and overall system stability on the Le Max 2.
❓ Does the Galaxy S7 edge support expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge features a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage up to 200GB. The LeEco Le Max 2 did not offer expandable storage.
❓ How does the charging speed compare between the two devices?
Both devices support Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0. The LeEco Le Max 2 supports 18W wired charging, while the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge supports 15W wired charging. However, the S7 edge also offers convenient wireless charging, a feature the Le Max 2 lacks.