The Lenovo Legion Y700 and Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming 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 K50 Gaming, 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 the best choice for your gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming offers a more compelling experience thanks to the superior processing power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. While the Legion Y700 provides excellent value, the K50 Gaming’s faster charging and overall performance edge justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2022, February 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 207.1 x 128.1 x 7.9 mm (8.15 x 5.04 x 0.31 in) | 162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| | - | Physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| 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 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) |
| 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, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | 20 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 20 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | Tuned by JBL | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 45 min | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 17 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6550 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, Gray, Blue, AMG |
| Models | TB-9707F | 21121210C |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 460 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Y700
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance due to lower thermal output
- More affordable price point
- Slower charging speed (45W)
- Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
- Significantly faster 120W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Superior GPU performance for demanding games
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
- Higher price tag
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, both devices likely feature high refresh rate panels common in gaming phones. However, the K50 Gaming, being a flagship, may benefit from a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, improving battery efficiency. The Legion Y700, positioned as a more value-oriented option, may utilize a standard high refresh rate AMOLED panel. Bezels are likely comparable, but the K50 Gaming’s higher price point suggests a potentially more refined display assembly.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, but given the gaming focus, neither device is likely to prioritize camera performance. The K50 Gaming, as a flagship, may feature a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. However, both are likely to include a standard set of lenses, and image quality will likely be adequate for casual photography rather than professional use. Expect similar performance in well-lit conditions, with the K50 Gaming potentially offering better low-light capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) boasts a significantly more powerful CPU – a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz versus the Legion Y700’s Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 at 3.2 GHz. While the 870’s clock speed is higher, the 8 Gen 1’s newer architecture and 4nm process offer substantial gains in multi-core performance and GPU capabilities. The K50 Gaming’s Adreno 730 GPU will deliver a noticeably smoother experience in demanding titles. However, the 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat, potentially leading to thermal throttling, a challenge the Legion Y700’s 870 chipset is less prone to. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the K50 Gaming may benefit from faster RAM speeds.
Battery Life
The Redmi K50 Gaming’s 120W charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 17 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the Legion Y700’s 45W charging, which takes 45 minutes for a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the K50 Gaming effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size. The Snapdragon 870 in the Legion Y700 is more power-efficient, potentially leading to longer battery life during less intensive tasks, but the K50 Gaming’s rapid charging ensures you’re quickly back in the game.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Legion Y700 if you prioritize sustained performance over extended gaming sessions and value a more efficient chipset. It’s ideal for users who want a capable gaming phone without breaking the bank. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming if you demand the highest possible frame rates, benefit from incredibly fast 120W charging, and are willing to manage potential thermal throttling during prolonged, intensive gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Redmi K50 Gaming overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. The Redmi K50 Gaming likely incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate this, but some thermal throttling is possible during prolonged, intensive gaming. Expect frame rate dips after extended play, but the overall performance will still be higher than the Legion Y700.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Legion Y700 slow compared to the K50 Gaming's 120W?
Yes, 45W is considerably slower than 120W. The K50 Gaming can fully charge in approximately 17 minutes, while the Legion Y700 takes 45 minutes. This difference is significant for gamers who want to minimize downtime between sessions.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Legion Y700 still provide a good gaming experience?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 870 remains a very capable chipset for gaming, even in 2024. It can handle most mobile games at high settings with smooth frame rates. While it doesn't match the raw power of the 8 Gen 1, it offers a great balance of performance and efficiency.
❓ Which phone is better for playing graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming is the better choice for Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s Adreno 730 GPU provides a significant performance boost, allowing for higher frame rates and more detailed graphics settings.
