The LeEco Le Max 2 and Xiaomi Pocophone F1 represent interesting points in smartphone history. The Le Max 2, released in 2016, was a flagship aiming to disrupt the market, while the 2018 Pocophone F1 aimed to deliver flagship performance at a mid-range price. Both devices leveraged Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, but with significant generational differences. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset, built on a smaller 10nm process, provides a substantial performance uplift over the LeEco Le Max 2’s Snapdragon 820, coupled with significantly better battery life. While both offer similar charging speeds, the F1’s efficiency makes it the more practical choice.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 - X821 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, April. Released 2016, May | 2018, August 22. Released 2018, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.8 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) | 155.5 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.12 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 2246 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.18 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), eUI 5.6 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| 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, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose gold, gold, silver, gray | Graphite Black, Steel Blue, Rosso Red, Armored Edition with Kevlar |
| Models | Le X821, Le X829, Le X820, LEX820, LEX821, LEX829 | M1805E10A, POCO F1 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.66 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.1dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 67h
|
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1444:1 (nominal), 2.567 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal), 3.059 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 74dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 77dB
|
Voice 72dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 86dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2063Basemark X: 33874 |
AnTuTu: 265314 (v7)
GeekBench: 9003 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LeEco Le Max 2
- Slightly higher nominal display contrast ratio.
- Unique design for its time.
- Potentially lower price point on the used market.
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 820).
- Significantly shorter battery life.
- Limited software support and updates.
Xiaomi Pocophone F1
- Much faster Snapdragon 845 processor.
- Significantly longer battery life.
- More modern features and software support.
- Larger and heavier design.
- Plastic build quality (to achieve price point).
- May still have limited software updates in the long term.
Display Comparison
Both the LeEco Le Max 2 and Pocophone F1 feature displays with comparable contrast ratios – 1444:1 (nominal) and 2.567 (sunlight) for the LeEco, versus 1468:1 (nominal) and 3.059 (sunlight) for the Pocophone. However, the Pocophone F1’s higher sunlight contrast ratio suggests better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the era), the Pocophone benefits from advancements in display technology that weren't present in the Le Max 2, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The difference in sunlight readability is a tangible benefit for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, the Pocophone F1 likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. While the Le Max 2 may have been competitive in 2016, the F1’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 845 would provide superior noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the F1’s chipset advantage strongly suggests a better camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the 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). The Pocophone F1, however, boasts the Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845, built on a more efficient 10nm process and featuring an octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver). This translates to a significant performance advantage for the F1, not just in raw CPU power, but also in GPU performance and sustained performance due to better thermal management. The 10nm process allows the Snapdragon 845 to operate more efficiently, reducing heat output and minimizing throttling during prolonged use.
Battery Life
The Pocophone F1 delivers a substantial improvement in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 94 hours compared to the LeEco Le Max 2’s 67 hours. While both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge (QC2 for LeEco, QC3 for Pocophone), the Snapdragon 845’s 10nm process contributes to significantly improved power efficiency. This means the Pocophone F1 can achieve a longer runtime on a single charge, even with similar usage patterns. The QC3 support on the F1 also offers potentially faster charging speeds and improved efficiency compared to QC2.
Buying Guide
Buy the LeEco Le Max 2 if you prioritize a slightly higher nominal display contrast ratio (1444:1 vs 1468:1) and are comfortable with a device that may have limited software support and potential battery degradation due to its age. Buy the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 if you value significantly improved performance, longer battery life (94h endurance vs 67h), and a more modern chipset with better thermal management, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 820 in the LeEco Le Max 2 still capable of handling modern apps?
While the Snapdragon 820 was a flagship processor in 2016, it struggles with demanding modern applications and games. You may experience lag, stuttering, and reduced performance compared to newer devices. The Snapdragon 845 in the Pocophone F1 offers a much smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ How does the 10nm process of the Snapdragon 845 impact real-world usage on the Pocophone F1?
The 10nm process is significantly more power-efficient than the 14nm process used in the Snapdragon 820. This translates to longer battery life, reduced heat generation, and less performance throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks. You'll notice a tangible difference in how long the Pocophone F1 lasts on a single charge.
❓ Are software updates still available for either the LeEco Le Max 2 or the Xiaomi Pocophone F1?
Software support for both devices is limited. LeEco has largely abandoned software updates for the Le Max 2. The Pocophone F1 received updates for a period, but official support has ended. However, the F1 has a larger and more active custom ROM community, offering users the option to install newer versions of Android.
