The Lenovo Legion Y700 and Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro represent distinct approaches to mobile gaming. The Y700, powered by the Snapdragon 870, aims for a balance of performance and efficiency, often at a more accessible price point. The Black Shark 5 Pro, equipped with the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, prioritizes raw power, but at the potential cost of thermal management and battery life. This comparison dissects these trade-offs to determine which device reigns supreme for different gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and value, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly higher peak performance, and the incredibly fast 120W charging mitigates battery concerns. However, the Legion Y700 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers who value efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2022, March 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2022, April 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 207.1 x 128.1 x 7.9 mm (8.15 x 5.04 x 0.31 in) | 163.9 x 76.5 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ) | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, ZUI 13 | Android 12, Joy UI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by JBL | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 | USB Type-C 2.0, video output |
| 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (China only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 45 min | 120W wired, 100% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6550 mAh | Li-Po 4650 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, White |
| Models | TB-9707F | SHARK KTUS-H0 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 720 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 876704 (v8), 1007133 (v9)
GeekBench: 3665 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 82fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo Legion Y700
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Likely better thermal management
- Less powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Slower 45W charging
- Less detailed display specifications
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Ultra-fast 120W charging
- Brighter display with infinite contrast ratio
- Potentially more thermal throttling
- Higher price point
- More power-hungry chipset
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 682 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Legion Y700. While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels (a common feature in this segment), the Black Shark’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Black Shark 5 Pro also features an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The Legion Y700’s display specs are less detailed, making a direct comparison difficult, but it likely prioritizes color accuracy over peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo/video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. The Black Shark 5 Pro likely benefits from the more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, enabling better image processing and low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for either device, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume the Black Shark 5 Pro offers a more versatile and capable camera system due to its flagship chipset.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Black Shark 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) offers a substantial performance leap over the Legion Y700’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core, clocked at 3.00 GHz, provides a significant single-core performance advantage. However, the 7nm process of the Snapdragon 870 is more thermally efficient, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming. The Black Shark 5 Pro’s LPDDR5 RAM is standard for flagships, while the Legion Y700’s RAM configuration is unspecified, but likely LPDDR4X, further widening the performance gap. The 8 Gen 1’s Adreno 730 GPU significantly outperforms the 870’s Adreno 660.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (unspecified for the Legion Y700). However, the Black Shark 5 Pro’s 120W charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 15 minutes. The Legion Y700’s 45W charging takes 45 minutes to reach 100%, a significant difference for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The faster charging of the Black Shark 5 Pro effectively mitigates any potential battery life concerns arising from the more power-hungry Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Legion Y700 if you need a reliable, efficient gaming experience without breaking the bank, and prioritize longer, less-intense gaming sessions. It's ideal for mobile esports titles and users who prefer a cooler-running device. Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro if you demand the absolute highest frame rates in demanding games, need the fastest possible charging, and are willing to manage potential thermal throttling during extended gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Black Shark 5 Pro overheat during extended PUBG sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than previous generations. The Black Shark 5 Pro incorporates cooling solutions, but prolonged, high-intensity gaming like PUBG may still lead to thermal throttling, reducing sustained performance. However, the phone's aggressive cooling and performance profiles aim to mitigate this.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Legion Y700 slow compared to the Black Shark 5 Pro's 120W?
Yes, 45W is considerably slower than 120W. While both phones achieve similar endurance ratings, the Black Shark 5 Pro can fully charge in just 15 minutes, while the Legion Y700 takes 45 minutes. This difference is significant for gamers who need quick top-ups between matches.
❓ Does the Legion Y700 support high frame rates in demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 870 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but likely at lower graphical settings and frame rates compared to the Black Shark 5 Pro. Expect stable 30-60 FPS performance, but achieving consistently high frame rates at maximum settings may be challenging.
❓ What type of cooling system does the Black Shark 5 Pro utilize to combat the heat generated by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1?
The Black Shark 5 Pro features a multi-layered cooling system including a vapor chamber, copper heat sink, and strategically placed thermal paste. This system aims to dissipate heat efficiently and maintain stable performance during demanding gaming sessions.
