Lenovo Legion Y700 vs Apple iPad mini (2021): A Detailed Showdown

Choosing between a gaming-focused phone and a supremely portable tablet can be tough. The Lenovo Legion Y700 promises raw power for mobile gaming, while the Apple iPad mini (2021) excels in portability and seamless iOS integration. Let's break down which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Lenovo Legion Y700 takes the crown for raw gaming performance thanks to its Snapdragon 870 and optimized cooling. However, the iPad mini (2021) offers a superior user experience, stunning display, and unmatched portability, making it ideal for productivity and media consumption on the go.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Legion Y700 Apple iPad mini (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, March 012021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 10Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions207.1 x 128.1 x 7.9 mm (8.15 x 5.04 x 0.31 in)195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in)
SIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight375 g (13.23 oz)293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz)
 -Stylus support (2nd gen only)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density)1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density)
Size8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ)Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Apple GPU (5-core)
OSAndroid 12, ZUI 13iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 Tuned by JBL-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP
NFCNoNo
PositioningNoGPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort
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, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging45W wired, 100% in 45 min-
TypeLi-Po 6550 mAhLi-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh)
Misc
ColorsGraySpace Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight
ModelsTB-9707FA2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 550 EUR
Tests
Loudspeaker- -29.7 LUFS (Average)

Lenovo Legion Y700

  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Fast charging (45W)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Good cooling system

  • Display not as vibrant as iPad mini
  • Larger and heavier than iPad mini
  • Camera performance is average

Apple iPad mini (2021)

  • Exceptional portability
  • Stunning display (brightness & contrast)
  • Seamless iOS integration
  • Excellent camera quality

  • Less powerful for demanding games
  • Slower charging
  • More expensive

Display Comparison

The iPad mini (2021) boasts a significantly better display. Its 518 nits brightness and impressive 1325:1 contrast ratio provide vibrant colors and excellent visibility, even outdoors. The Y700's display, while capable, lacks the same level of visual fidelity and color accuracy. The iPad mini's smaller size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The iPad mini (2021) generally offers better camera performance, especially in video recording. Apple's image processing is consistently excellent. The Y700's cameras are adequate, but not a primary strength. Expect better detail and dynamic range from the iPad mini.

Performance

The Lenovo Legion Y700's Snapdragon 870 is a powerhouse, particularly for gaming. While the A15 Bionic in the iPad mini (2021) is incredibly fast, the Y700's chipset and cooling system are better equipped to handle sustained, graphically intensive gaming. The Y700 also benefits from more RAM typically, further boosting performance. However, for everyday tasks, both devices feel incredibly responsive.

Battery Life

The iPad mini (2021) has a smaller battery capacity, but Apple's optimization often results in comparable or even slightly better real-world battery life. The Y700's 45W charging is significantly faster than the iPad mini's, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Legion Y700 if you prioritize mobile gaming and need a powerful device for demanding titles. Buy the Apple iPad mini (2021) if you value portability, a premium user experience, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem for tasks like note-taking, browsing, and media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Lenovo Legion Y700 good for everyday use?
Yes, the Y700 is perfectly capable for everyday tasks, but its strengths lie in gaming. It might feel a bit overkill for simple browsing or email.
❓ Can the iPad mini (2021) handle demanding games?
While the A15 Bionic is powerful, the iPad mini (2021) may struggle with the highest graphics settings in the most demanding games due to thermal limitations and its smaller size.