Lenovo Legion Duel vs OnePlus 11R: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Performance

The Lenovo Legion Duel, released with a focus on hardcore mobile gaming, now faces a compelling challenger in the OnePlus 11R. While the Legion Duel boasts dedicated gaming features, the 11R brings a newer, more efficient chipset to the table. This comparison dissects the strengths and weaknesses of each device to determine which offers the best experience for gamers and power users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 11R emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant performance uplift over the Legion Duel’s Snapdragon 865+, coupled with faster 100W charging. While the Legion Duel’s gaming-centric design is unique, the 11R delivers a more well-rounded and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Legion Duel OnePlus 11R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 - International1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/210 Mbps, 5G 2.5 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE (3CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2020, July 22. Released 2020, October 152023, February 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, February 21
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.66 x 3.09 x 0.39 in)163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight239 g (8.43 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)
Size6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 10, Legion OS/ ZUI12Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.9µm16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, (128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM models) 90W wired, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 30 min (512GB 16GB RAM model)100W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsVengeance Red, Blazing BlueGalactic Silver, Sonic Black, Solar Red
Models-CPH2487
PriceAbout 510 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)

Lenovo Legion Duel

  • Dedicated gaming features (triggers, cooling)
  • Potentially larger display for immersion
  • High RAM options (12GB/16GB)

  • Older Snapdragon 865+ chipset
  • Less efficient 7nm+ process
  • Slower charging speeds (65W/90W)

OnePlus 11R

  • Newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • More efficient 4nm process
  • Faster 100W charging

  • Lacks dedicated gaming hardware
  • May prioritize camera over raw gaming performance
  • Potentially less immersive display size

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Legion Duel's gaming focus, it likely prioritizes a high refresh rate and low latency. The OnePlus 11R, being a more mainstream device, likely balances color accuracy and power efficiency. The Legion Duel's larger size may allow for a more immersive experience, but without specific details like peak brightness or panel technology (LTPO), it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. Bezels are likely minimal on both, reflecting current design trends.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent for both devices. However, given the Legion Duel’s gaming focus, its camera system is likely secondary to its performance capabilities. The OnePlus 11R, as a more mainstream flagship, likely features a more sophisticated camera setup with larger sensors and advanced image processing. We can assume the 11R will offer better overall image quality and versatility, particularly in low-light conditions. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, a precise comparison is impossible, but the 11R is expected to excel.

Performance

The OnePlus 11R’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a substantial leap over the Lenovo Legion Duel’s Snapdragon 865+ (7nm+). The 8+ Gen 1’s newer architecture, including the Cortex-X2 prime core, delivers significantly improved CPU performance – 3.0 GHz vs 3.09 GHz – and a more powerful Adreno GPU. The 4nm process node also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Legion Duel’s 12GB/16GB of RAM is competitive, the 8+ Gen 1’s overall system-on-chip (SoC) efficiency gives the 11R a clear advantage.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 11R’s 100W wired charging is a major advantage, allowing for a full charge in a significantly shorter time than the Legion Duel’s 65W/90W options. The 90W charging on the 512GB Legion Duel model, achieving 100% in 30 minutes, is still respectable, but the 11R’s 100W is faster. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the 11R’s more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will likely deliver comparable or better real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The faster charging speed mitigates any potential capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Legion Duel if you prioritize a dedicated gaming experience with unique features like built-in cooling and shoulder triggers, and are willing to accept an older chipset. Buy the OnePlus 11R if you prefer a more modern, versatile smartphone with superior processing power, faster charging, and a more competitive price point, even if it lacks dedicated gaming hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the OnePlus 11R experience significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s 4nm process is significantly more efficient than the Legion Duel’s 7nm+ Snapdragon 865+. This improved efficiency translates to lower heat generation and reduced throttling, allowing for sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. While some throttling is inevitable, the 11R is expected to handle demanding games better than the Legion Duel.
❓ Does the Lenovo Legion Duel’s built-in cooling system and shoulder triggers provide a substantial advantage for competitive gaming?
The Legion Duel’s dedicated gaming features, such as the cooling system and shoulder triggers, offer a unique advantage for certain game genres. The triggers can provide faster response times in shooters, while the cooling system helps maintain performance. However, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the OnePlus 11R delivers raw power that can often outweigh the benefits of these features, especially in less demanding titles.
❓ How does the charging speed of the OnePlus 11R compare to real-world usage scenarios?
The OnePlus 11R’s 100W charging is incredibly fast. A full charge from 0% to 100% is achievable in around 25-30 minutes. This is a significant benefit for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and need a quick top-up before gaming or other demanding tasks. The Legion Duel’s charging, while still fast, takes considerably longer.