The mobile gaming scene is booming, and dedicated gaming phones are rising to meet the demand. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the powerhouse Lenovo Legion Duel 2 and the more budget-friendly ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone truly delivers the ultimate gaming experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is the clear winner for raw power and charging speed, thanks to its Snapdragon 888 and 90W charging. However, the nubia Red Magic 5G Lite offers a more accessible price point and decent performance for casual gamers. It depends on your budget and gaming intensity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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 (unspecified) |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 08 | 2020, June 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 10 | Available. Released 2020, June 19 |
| 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) | 171.7 x 78.5 x 9.1 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 259 g (9.14 oz) | 215 g (7.58 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) | Touch sensitive gaming triggers |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 144Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 | Android 10, nubia UI 8.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| 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 | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF | 12 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Two USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), OTG | 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, 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) | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Ion 5100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium White, Ultimate Black | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | NX651J |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 600 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Duel 2
- Exceptional Performance (Snapdragon 888)
- Blazing-Fast 90W Charging
- Large, High-Refresh-Rate Display
- Advanced Cooling System
- Dual USB-C Ports
- High Price
- Bulky Design
- Camera not a primary focus
ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite
- More Affordable
- Dedicated Gaming Features (shoulder buttons)
- Decent Performance for Casual Gaming
- 144Hz Refresh Rate Display
- 5000mAh Battery
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 765G)
- Basic Camera System
- Can struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2 boasts a larger 6.93-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smoother visuals and a more immersive gaming experience. The nubia Red Magic 5G Lite features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate as well, but generally has slightly lower peak brightness. Both offer vibrant colors and excellent contrast, but the Duel 2's size gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2 typically features a versatile camera system, often including a 64MP main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. The nubia Red Magic 5G Lite generally has a more basic camera setup, often with a 64MP main sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality on the Duel 2 is generally superior, with better dynamic range and detail. However, both phones prioritize gaming over photography.
Performance
Here's where the Legion Duel 2 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Red Magic 5G Lite's Snapdragon 765G. Expect noticeably faster load times, smoother gameplay even in demanding titles, and better multitasking capabilities on the Duel 2. The Red Magic 5G Lite is still capable, but it will struggle with the most graphically intensive games at max settings.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2's 5000mAh battery, combined with its 90W charging, is a game-changer. It can charge from 0 to 50% in just 12 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes. The nubia Red Magic 5G Lite's 5000mAh battery is respectable, but its 18W charging is considerably slower.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is for serious mobile gamers who demand top-tier performance, fast charging, and are willing to pay a premium. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 5G Lite is ideal for budget-conscious gamers who want a dedicated gaming phone with some unique features without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Legion Duel 2 worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious mobile gamer who demands the best possible performance and charging speed, then yes. The Legion Duel 2 offers a significant upgrade over the Red Magic 5G Lite.
❓ Can the nubia Red Magic 5G Lite handle demanding games?
It can, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. It's better suited for casual gaming or less demanding titles.
