Lenovo has established itself as a serious contender in the gaming phone space. The Legion Duel, with its unique dual-screen and Snapdragon 865+, aimed to redefine mobile gaming. The newer Legion Y70, powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, refines the formula with a more conventional design and a focus on efficiency. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right gaming powerhouse.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the Lenovo Legion Y70 emerges as the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant performance uplift and improved thermal efficiency over the 865+ in the Duel, despite slightly slower charging. While the Duel's unique features are interesting, the Y70 delivers a more polished and powerful gaming experience.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - International | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 22. Released 2020, October 15 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.66 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) | 163.6 x 77 x 8 mm (6.44 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 239 g (8.43 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+ | OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 10, Legion OS/ ZUI12 | Android 12, ZUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB 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) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.9µm | 16 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps | Yes |
| 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 | USB Type-C |
| 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 (side-mounted), 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) | 68W wired, 80% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vengeance Red, Blazing Blue | Black, Silver, Red |
| Models | - | L71091 |
| Price | About 510 EUR | About 440 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Duel
- Unique dual-screen design for enhanced multitasking
- Potentially lower price point due to age
- High wattage charging option (90W on select models)
- Older Snapdragon 865+ chipset
- Less efficient thermal management
- Bulkier design due to dual-screen
Lenovo Legion Y70
- More powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
- Improved power efficiency and thermal management
- More conventional and refined design
- Slightly slower charging speed (68W)
- Potentially higher price point
- Lacks the unique dual-screen functionality
Display Comparison
While both devices are geared towards gaming, details on display specs beyond resolution are missing. However, the Duel's dual-screen setup is a key differentiator, offering additional screen real estate for streaming or game controls. The Y70 likely features a more modern panel, potentially with higher peak brightness and a more efficient refresh rate, given the advancements in display technology between their release dates. The Y70 benefits from the advancements in display tech since the Duel's release, likely offering better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but both phones likely prioritize gaming over photographic excellence. The Duel and Y70 likely feature similar camera setups geared towards social media sharing rather than professional photography. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the Y70, being a newer device, likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms and software optimizations.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Legion Duel's Snapdragon 865+ (7nm+) is a capable performer, but the Legion Y70's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a substantial leap forward. The 4nm process node delivers significantly improved power efficiency, translating to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Y70’s CPU, featuring the Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, outperforms the Duel’s Cortex-A77 prime core at 3.09 GHz. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and higher sustained frame rates in demanding games. The Y70 also benefits from newer Adreno GPU architecture, providing a noticeable graphics performance boost.
Battery Life
The Legion Duel offers 65W or 90W wired charging depending on the RAM/storage configuration (30 minutes to full on the 512GB/16GB model). The Legion Y70 offers 68W wired charging, reaching 80% in 34 minutes. While the Duel’s 90W variant is faster to 100%, the Y70’s more efficient chipset means it likely consumes less power during gameplay, potentially offsetting the charging speed difference in real-world usage. The Duel's larger battery capacity (details missing) might offer slightly longer overall battery life, but the Y70’s efficiency could close the gap.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Legion Duel if you prioritize a truly unique gaming experience with its dual-screen and are willing to accept slightly older hardware. It's a good option if you find a significant discount. Buy the Lenovo Legion Y70 if you want the best possible gaming performance in a more conventional package, benefiting from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1's efficiency and faster processing speeds. It's the better choice for sustained gaming sessions and future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865+ in the Legion Duel struggle with demanding games released in 2023/2024?
While the Snapdragon 865+ is still a capable chip, newer titles optimized for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and later will likely run at lower settings or experience more noticeable frame drops on the Duel. The 865+ may require more aggressive thermal throttling to maintain stable performance.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 make in terms of battery life and heat?
The 4nm process is a significant improvement over the 7nm+ used in the Snapdragon 865+. You can expect the Legion Y70 to run cooler and maintain higher performance for longer periods before throttling kicks in. This translates to a more consistent gaming experience and potentially 10-20% better battery life during intensive use.
❓ Is the dual-screen on the Legion Duel actually useful for gaming, or is it a gimmick?
The dual-screen can be genuinely useful for multitasking while gaming – streaming, monitoring stats, or using a dedicated controller layout on the second screen. However, its usefulness depends on individual preferences and whether you actively utilize these features. It does add to the phone's bulk.
❓ Does the Legion Y70 support high refresh rate gaming (90fps or 120fps) in popular titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Legion Y70, with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, is capable of running many popular titles at high refresh rates. However, achieving 90fps or 120fps depends on the game's optimization and your graphics settings. Expect to adjust settings for optimal performance.
