Lenovo Legion Duel vs. Duel 2: A Deep Dive into Lenovo's Gaming Titans
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 888 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 865, and the faster charging – especially with dual USB-C – is a significant convenience. However, the Duel remains a viable option if you find it at a substantially lower price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Lenovo Legion Duel | Lenovo Legion Duel 2 |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/210 Mbps, 5G 2.5 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 22. Released 2020, October 15 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.66 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) | 176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.93 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 239 g (8.43 oz) | 259 g (9.14 oz) |
| Water-repellent coating | 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) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, Legion OS/ ZUI12 | Android 11, ZUI 12.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | 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) | 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 | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.9µm | Motorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 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 | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG | Two USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), 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 | 65W wired, (128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM models) 90W wired, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 30 min (512GB 16GB RAM model) | 90W wired (dual USB-C ports), 50% in 12 min, 100% in 30 min 65W wired (single USB-C port) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Vengeance Red, Blazing Blue | Titanium White, Ultimate Black |
| Price | About 510 EUR | About 800 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Duel
- Potentially lower price point
- Robust gaming performance with Snapdragon 865
- Solid build quality and gaming features
- Older chipset – Snapdragon 865
- Slower charging speeds (65W on some models)
Lenovo Legion Duel 2
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 888 processor
- Faster 90W charging with dual USB-C
- Improved image processing with newer ISP
- Higher price tag
- Potential for thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 5nm process)
Display Comparison
Both devices feature large displays geared towards immersive gaming, but detailed specs are missing. Given Lenovo’s focus, we can assume both utilize high refresh rate AMOLED panels. The Duel 2’s chipset allows for potentially more efficient display management, potentially leading to slightly better battery life during prolonged gaming sessions. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess adaptive refresh rate capabilities, a key factor in power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse in the provided data. Given the gaming focus, camera performance is likely secondary. We can assume both devices offer competent camera systems, but the Duel 2’s newer ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 888 should provide improved image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The lack of sensor size or aperture information prevents a more detailed comparison.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Legion Duel utilizes the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+, built on a 7nm+ process, while the Duel 2 boasts the SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, fabricated on a more efficient 5nm node. This translates to a CPU performance boost, with the Duel 2’s Cortex-X1 prime core (2.84 GHz) offering a significant advantage over the Duel’s Cortex-A77 (3.09 GHz). The Snapdragon 888 also features a more modern GPU architecture, resulting in improved graphics rendering capabilities. While both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the Duel 2’s more efficient chipset allows for sustained performance under load, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Legion Duel offers 65W wired charging (128/256GB models) or 90W (512GB model), with the 90W variant achieving 100% charge in 30 minutes. The Duel 2 steps up the charging game with 90W via dual USB-C ports, achieving 50% charge in just 12 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes. The dual USB-C ports on the Duel 2 offer added convenience, allowing for simultaneous charging and accessory connection. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 888 in the Duel 2 likely translates to comparable or slightly better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Legion Duel if you prioritize value and can find it at a significant discount. It still delivers excellent gaming performance with the Snapdragon 865 and offers a robust feature set. Buy the Lenovo Legion Duel 2 if you demand the latest performance, faster charging speeds, and are willing to pay a premium for the Snapdragon 888’s improvements and the convenience of dual USB-C ports.