The Lenovo Legion Duel, released with the Snapdragon 865, represented a bold first step into dedicated gaming phones for Lenovo. Now, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ arrives with the significantly newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, raising the stakes. This comparison dissects these two devices, focusing on the core elements that matter to serious mobile gamers: performance, thermals, and charging speed.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing raw power and future-proofing, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers a substantial performance leap over the Legion Duel’s Snapdragon 865, coupled with blazing-fast 165W charging. However, the Legion Duel remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers.
| 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, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/210 Mbps, 5G 2.5 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 22. Released 2020, October 15 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.66 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 239 g (8.43 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 10, Legion OS/ ZUI12 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.9µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| 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/6e, tri-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) | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vengeance Red, Blazing Blue | Black, Transparent |
| Price | About 510 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Duel
- More affordable price point
- Capable Snapdragon 865 performance for most games
- Respectable 65W/90W fast charging
- Older Snapdragon 865 chipset is less efficient
- Likely to throttle under sustained heavy load
- Less future-proofed compared to the Red Magic 8 Pro+
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Superior thermal efficiency for sustained gaming
- Higher price tag
- May require a separate charger to achieve 165W speeds
- Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
While both devices target gamers, details on display specs beyond resolution are limited. The Legion Duel’s display is likely a standard high refresh rate panel, but the Red Magic 8 Pro+ benefits from the advancements in panel technology available at its release. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP is also more capable of driving higher refresh rates and HDR content smoothly. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely features a more efficient panel, contributing to better battery life during extended gaming.
Camera Comparison
Neither phone is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely benefits from the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This translates to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. Details on sensor sizes are unavailable, but the newer chipset provides a clear advantage in computational photography. The Legion Duel’s camera system is likely adequate for casual use but won’t compete with dedicated camera phones.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a generational leap over the Lenovo Legion Duel’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The Gen 2 features a new CPU architecture (Cortex-X3, A715, A710, A510) offering significant improvements in both single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node also provides superior thermal efficiency, meaning the Red Magic 8 Pro+ can sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The Legion Duel’s Cortex-A77 based CPU, while capable, is demonstrably slower and less efficient. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s 165W charging is a game-changer, promising a full charge in just 14 minutes (advertised). This is significantly faster than the Legion Duel’s 65W/90W charging, which takes up to 30 minutes for a full charge (depending on the RAM configuration). While battery capacity isn’t specified, the efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and potentially a more optimized software experience likely offset any capacity differences, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life on the Red Magic 8 Pro+.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Legion Duel if you need a capable gaming phone at a significantly lower price point and are comfortable with older hardware. Its 65W/90W charging is still respectable, and the Snapdragon 865 can handle most mobile games. Buy the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ if you demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging speeds (165W), and a platform built for sustained gaming sessions without significant throttling. It's an investment in a premium gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the Legion Duel struggle with demanding titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 865 is capable, it will likely exhibit more noticeable frame drops and throttling in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile compared to the Red Magic 8 Pro+. Lowering graphics settings can mitigate this, but the experience won't be as consistently smooth.
❓ Does the 165W charging of the Red Magic 8 Pro+ generate excessive heat during charging?
ZTE has implemented advanced thermal management systems to mitigate heat generation during 165W charging. While the phone will warm up, it's designed to maintain safe operating temperatures and prevent damage to the battery. The charging process is optimized to balance speed and thermal safety.
❓ Is the Legion Duel still a viable option in 2024, considering its age?
Yes, the Legion Duel remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers who don't require the absolute latest performance. It can still handle most mobile games at reasonable settings, and its price has likely dropped significantly since its release. However, be prepared for potential throttling and a shorter software support lifespan.
❓ Does the Red Magic 8 Pro+ have any active cooling solutions?
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ features an advanced cooling system, including a built-in fan and vapor chamber, designed to dissipate heat effectively during prolonged gaming sessions. This active cooling helps maintain consistent performance and prevent throttling.
