Released in 2016, the LeEco Le Max 2 and Xiaomi Mi 4c represented compelling value in a rapidly evolving smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver flagship experiences at mid-range prices, but they took different approaches. The Le Max 2 prioritized raw processing power with the Snapdragon 820, while the Mi 4c focused on a refined user experience and a slightly more efficient chipset in the Snapdragon 808. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a phone with more processing headroom, the LeEco Le Max 2 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 820 chipset, coupled with a slightly longer battery endurance rating of 67 hours, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Xiaomi Mi 4c’s Snapdragon 808. However, the Mi 4c remains a viable option for those prioritizing a slightly better display contrast ratio.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - X821 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 - X821 | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, April. Released 2016, May | 2015, September. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 138.1 x 69.6 x 7.8 mm (5.44 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), eUI 5.6 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS | 13 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC2, 40% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3080 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose gold, gold, silver, gray | White, grey, pink, yellow, blue |
| Models | Le X821, Le X829, Le X820, LEX820, LEX821, LEX829 | Mi-4c |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB |
Noise -94.7dB / Crosstalk -95.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 67h
| Endurance rating 52h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1444:1 (nominal), 2.567 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1609 (nominal), 2.574(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 74dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB
|
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2063Basemark X: 33874 |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1233Basemark X: 12096 |
LeEco Le Max 2
- More powerful Snapdragon 820 processor
- Longer battery endurance (67h)
- Potentially better thermal performance due to 14nm process
- Lower nominal display contrast ratio
- LeEco's brand reputation and software support were questionable later on
Xiaomi Mi 4c
- Slightly higher nominal display contrast ratio
- Faster charging claim (40% in 60 min)
- Xiaomi's more established software support
- Less powerful Snapdragon 808 processor
- Shorter battery endurance (52h)
- Less efficient 20nm process
Display Comparison
Both the LeEco Le Max 2 and Xiaomi Mi 4c feature displays with excellent sunlight readability, boasting contrast ratios of 2.567 and 2.574 respectively. However, the Xiaomi Mi 4c edges out slightly with a nominal contrast ratio of 1609 compared to the Le Max 2’s 1444. While both offer a good viewing experience, the difference in contrast is subtle and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Neither specification details refresh rates, suggesting standard 60Hz panels were used, common for the time.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization are absent. Given the era, it’s reasonable to assume both featured capable cameras for their price point, but neither likely rivaled contemporary flagship camera systems. Without further data, a definitive comparison is impossible. The absence of details suggests neither phone was a standout camera performer.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The LeEco Le Max 2 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820, a 14nm processor with a quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo). This architecture prioritizes performance. Conversely, the Xiaomi Mi 4c features the Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808, a 20nm chip with a hexa-core setup (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57). The 20nm process of the 808 is less efficient than the 14nm process of the 820, potentially leading to more heat generation under sustained load. The Snapdragon 820’s Kryo cores offer a performance advantage, particularly in multi-threaded tasks.
Battery Life
The LeEco Le Max 2 boasts an endurance rating of 67 hours, while the Xiaomi Mi 4c achieves 52 hours. Both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 2.0, with the Mi 4c specifically claiming a 40% charge in 60 minutes. The Le Max 2’s longer endurance suggests a more efficient combination of hardware and software, despite the more powerful processor. The 18W charging is standard for the time, offering reasonably fast charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the LeEco Le Max 2 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and if you value the latest processor technology from that era. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 4c if you prefer a phone with a slightly more refined display experience, and if you prioritize a more compact and potentially more reliable software experience (given LeEco's later struggles).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 820 in the LeEco Le Max 2 prone to overheating?
While the Snapdragon 820 was known to have some thermal throttling issues in certain implementations, the LeEco Le Max 2’s 14nm process and potentially effective thermal design (details are scarce) likely mitigated this to a reasonable degree. It won't be as cool as newer chips, but shouldn't be unusable.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 4c support USB Type-C?
Yes, the Xiaomi Mi 4c was one of the early adopters of USB Type-C, offering a more convenient and reversible charging and data transfer experience compared to older Micro-USB standards. This was a key selling point at the time.
❓ Which phone is better for playing older Android games?
The LeEco Le Max 2, with its Snapdragon 820, will provide a smoother gaming experience for titles released around 2016 and earlier. The more powerful GPU in the 820 will handle the graphics more efficiently, resulting in higher frame rates and less lag.
