The LeEco Le Max 2, a 2016 flagship, represents a bygone era of aggressive pricing from a now-diminished brand. The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, released in 2020, embodies the modern mid-range philosophy: maximizing features for the price. This comparison examines whether the older, more powerful chipset of the Le Max 2 can overcome the Poco X3 NFC’s advancements in battery technology and charging speed.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is the better buy. While the LeEco Le Max 2 boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 820, the Poco X3 NFC’s significantly superior battery life (125h vs 67h), faster 33W charging, and modern software support outweigh the performance difference for everyday tasks and even moderate gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - X821 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 - X821 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, April. Released 2016, May | 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), eUI 5.6 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose gold, gold, silver, gray | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | Le X821, Le X829, Le X820, LEX820, LEX821, LEX829 | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | € 259.00 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 2,800,000 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | € 229.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 119.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 67h
|
Endurance rating 125h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1444:1 (nominal), 2.567 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1299:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 74dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB
|
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2063Basemark X: 33874 |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LeEco Le Max 2
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 820)
- Superior sunlight display contrast
- Potentially lower price (depending on availability)
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Slower charging speed
- Outdated software and potential security vulnerabilities
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- Much longer battery life (125h endurance)
- Faster 33W charging
- Modern software and NFC support
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 732G)
- Slightly lower sunlight display contrast
- Potentially less durable build quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar nominal contrast ratios around 1300:1, but the LeEco Le Max 2 edges out the Poco X3 NFC in sunlight readability with a contrast ratio of 2.567:1 compared to the Poco’s 1299:1. However, the Poco X3 NFC’s display technology is more modern, likely utilizing a higher PWM dimming rate, potentially making it more comfortable for users sensitive to screen flicker. Neither specification details refresh rate, but the Poco X3 NFC is known to have a 120Hz display, a significant advantage for smoother scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little concrete detail. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the age difference, the Poco X3 NFC likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially better low-light performance. The Le Max 2’s camera, while capable for its time, will likely struggle to match the Poco X3 NFC’s image quality in modern conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Poco X3 NFC is largely irrelevant, as its image quality will be limited.
Performance
The LeEco Le Max 2’s Snapdragon 820, built on a 14nm process, features a quad-core configuration (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo). The Poco X3 NFC’s Snapdragon 732G, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node, utilizes an octa-core setup (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver). While the 820 has higher peak clock speeds, the 732G’s increased core count and more efficient process should translate to better sustained performance and thermal management in many real-world scenarios. The Poco X3 NFC’s availability with up to 8GB of RAM also provides a memory advantage over the Le Max 2’s likely 4GB or 6GB configuration.
Battery Life
The Poco X3 NFC’s 125-hour endurance rating is a massive improvement over the LeEco Le Max 2’s 67-hour rating. This difference is further amplified by the charging speeds: 33W wired charging with 62% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes for the Poco X3 NFC versus 18W QC2 charging for the LeEco. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 732G also contributes to better power efficiency, extending the Poco X3 NFC’s battery life even further.
Buying Guide
Buy the LeEco Le Max 2 if you prioritize raw CPU power for specific, demanding applications and are comfortable with the risks associated with an older device – potentially limited software updates and a less reliable supply chain. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you value all-day battery life, fast charging, a more modern feature set (like NFC), and a phone that will likely receive software updates for a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 820 in the LeEco Le Max 2 still capable of handling modern games?
While the Snapdragon 820 was a flagship processor in 2016, it will struggle with the most demanding modern games at high settings. Expect to make compromises on graphics quality to achieve playable frame rates. The Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC, while less powerful overall, is better optimized for current game titles.
❓ How reliable is software support for the LeEco Le Max 2 given LeEco's current status?
Software support for the LeEco Le Max 2 is extremely limited. It likely runs an outdated version of Android and may not receive further security updates, posing a security risk. The Poco X3 NFC, being a Xiaomi device, benefits from a more robust software update schedule.
❓ Does the Poco X3 NFC's 120Hz display significantly improve the user experience?
Yes, the 120Hz display on the Poco X3 NFC provides a noticeably smoother experience when scrolling through social media, browsing the web, and playing compatible games. It's a significant upgrade over the standard 60Hz display likely found on the LeEco Le Max 2.
❓ Is the fast charging on the Poco X3 NFC truly as quick as advertised?
Yes, the Poco X3 NFC's 33W fast charging is quite effective. It can charge from 0% to 62% in 30 minutes and reach 100% in approximately 65 minutes, a substantial improvement over the LeEco Le Max 2's slower 18W charging.
