Lenovo has established itself as a serious contender in the gaming smartphone market. The Legion Duel 2 and the newer Legion Y90 both pack impressive specs, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you choose the best gaming companion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Y90 edges out the Duel 2 thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and slightly more modern design. While the Duel 2 boasts faster charging, the Y90's performance and efficiency make it the superior choice for serious mobile gamers. Both are excellent, but the Y90 is the clear winner.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 08 | 2022, March 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.93 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) | 177 x 78.4 x 10.1 mm (6.97 x 3.09 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 259 g (9.14 oz) | 252 g (8.89 oz) |
| | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
6 pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers):
4 ultrasonic buttons (top), 2 capacitive sliding buttons (back) | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
4 ultrasonic buttons (Gaming triggers) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 12, ZUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 640GB 18GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1
640GB (512GB UFS + 128GB SSD) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF | 16 MP |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Two USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 90W wired (dual USB-C ports), 50% in 12 min, 100% in 30 min
65W wired (single USB-C port) | 68W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Po 5600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium White, Ultimate Black | Gray |
| Models | - | L71061 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 570 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Duel 2
- Incredibly fast 90W charging
- Larger 6.93-inch display
- Dual USB-C ports
- Excellent cooling system
- Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Bulkier design
- Less efficient than Y90
Lenovo Legion Y90
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- More efficient performance
- Modern and streamlined design
- Good camera performance
- Slower charging speed (68W)
- Slightly smaller display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays, but the Y90 generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Duel 2's larger screen (6.93 inches vs 6.9 inches) provides a more expansive gaming experience, though the difference is minimal. Both support HDR10+.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is comparable between the two, with both offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Y90 might have a slight edge in low-light photography due to software optimizations. Both feature multiple lenses including ultrawide and macro.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Y90 offers a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the Duel 2, particularly in demanding games and multitasking. The Y90's newer architecture and 4nm process contribute to improved efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. Both phones have ample RAM and storage for a smooth gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Duel 2's 90W charging is significantly faster than the Y90's 68W. However, the Y90's more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset allows it to maintain battery life more effectively, potentially offsetting the charging speed difference in real-world usage. Both have a 5000mAh battery.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is ideal for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a larger screen for immersive gaming. The Legion Y90 is best suited for gamers who demand the absolute latest performance and a more streamlined, modern design, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Legion Y90 worth the upgrade from the Duel 2?
If you prioritize performance and efficiency, the Y90 is a worthwhile upgrade. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a significant boost, but if you heavily rely on super-fast charging, the Duel 2 might still be appealing.
❓ Which phone has better cooling?
Both phones feature advanced cooling systems, but the Duel 2's larger size allows for a more robust cooling solution. However, the Y90's more efficient chipset generates less heat to begin with.
