The Lenovo K12 Pro and Legion Pro represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The K12 Pro aims for affordability and all-day usability, while the Legion Pro targets mobile gamers with a focus on raw power. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing daily tasks and media consumption, the Lenovo K12 Pro offers excellent value. However, the Legion Pro’s Snapdragon 865 and significantly faster charging make it the clear winner for gamers and power users willing to invest in a more capable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/210 Mbps, 5G 2.5 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2020, July 22. Released 2020, July 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) | 169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.66 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 239 g (8.43 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, Legion OS/ ZUI12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Two USB Type-C, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 45W wired, (128GB 8GB RAM model)
65W wired, (128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM models)
90W wired, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 30 min (512GB 16GB RAM model) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage | Vengeance Red, Blazing Blue, White |
| Models | XT2091-8, XT2091-7 | L79031 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | - |
Lenovo K12 Pro
- Significantly more affordable
- Good battery life for everyday tasks
- Reliable performance for basic usage
- Underpowered for demanding games
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely lower quality display
Lenovo Legion Pro
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 865
- Ultra-fast charging (up to 90W)
- Superior gaming experience
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May run hotter during extended gaming sessions
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, the Legion Pro, positioned as a gaming phone, likely features a higher refresh rate panel than the K12 Pro. The K12 Pro’s focus on value suggests a standard 60Hz display. The Legion Pro’s chipset allows for more advanced display features. Bezels are likely slimmer on the Legion Pro, contributing to a more immersive experience. Color accuracy will depend on panel technology, but the Legion Pro’s higher price point suggests better calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the Legion Pro’s higher price point suggests a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Legion Pro likely has a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Snapdragon 865’s image signal processor (ISP) offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The K12 Pro will likely rely on software processing to compensate for its less powerful ISP. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either phone should be considered supplementary features rather than key differentiators.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the K12 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm), while the Legion Pro boasts the Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+). This represents a significant leap in processing power. The 865’s Cortex-A77 cores, clocked at 3.09 GHz, outperform the K12 Pro’s Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz. The 7nm+ fabrication process of the 865 also provides superior thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Legion Pro’s potential for LPDDR5 RAM (likely given its flagship status) further enhances performance compared to the K12 Pro’s unspecified RAM type. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a far superior gaming experience.
Battery Life
The K12 Pro’s 20W wired charging is adequate for everyday use, but the Legion Pro offers significantly faster charging options, ranging from 45W to 90W depending on the configuration (8GB/128GB model is 45W, 12GB/128GB & 12GB/256GB are 65W, and 16GB/512GB is 90W). The 90W charging on the top-end Legion Pro model can reportedly reach 100% in just 30 minutes. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Legion Pro’s faster charging is a major advantage for gamers who need to quickly replenish their battery between sessions. The K12 Pro’s 2.5W reverse wired charging is a niche feature, while the Legion Pro doesn’t specify reverse charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you need a reliable, long-lasting phone for everyday use, prioritizing battery life and affordability over peak performance. It’s ideal for students, casual users, and those on a tight budget. Buy the Lenovo Legion Pro if you prefer a dedicated gaming experience, demanding high frame rates and responsiveness, and value rapid charging to minimize downtime. This phone is geared towards mobile gamers and power users who need a performance edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the Legion Pro get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 865 is a powerful chip, it can generate heat under sustained load. The Legion Pro likely incorporates advanced cooling solutions (heat pipes, graphite sheets) to mitigate throttling, but some heat buildup is expected during extended gaming. The 7nm+ process helps, but it's not a magic bullet.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the K12 Pro slow compared to other phones?
20W charging is considered relatively slow by today's standards. While it's sufficient for overnight charging, it will take considerably longer to top up the battery compared to the Legion Pro’s 45W-90W options. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours.
❓ Will the K12 Pro be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The K12 Pro can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a playable experience. The Snapdragon 662 is not designed for demanding mobile games, so expect compromises in visual fidelity.
❓ What RAM type does the Lenovo Legion Pro use, and does it impact gaming performance?
Given its flagship positioning, the Lenovo Legion Pro almost certainly utilizes LPDDR5 RAM. LPDDR5 offers significantly faster data transfer rates compared to older RAM standards like LPDDR4X, resulting in quicker loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. This is a key advantage over the K12 Pro.
