Lenovo has consistently delivered impressive gaming phones, and the Legion Y90 and Legion 2 Pro are prime examples. But which one offers the best experience for mobile gamers? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Y90 boasts a newer, more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offering a noticeable performance edge. However, the Legion 2 Pro’s 90W charging and dual USB-C ports provide unparalleled charging speed and versatility. Ultimately, the Y90 wins for raw power, while the 2 Pro excels in charging convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 177 x 78.4 x 10.1 mm (6.97 x 3.09 x 0.40 in) | 176 x 78.5 x 9.9 mm (6.93 x 3.09 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 252 g (8.89 oz) | 259 g (9.14 oz) |
| | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
4 ultrasonic buttons (Gaming triggers) | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
6 pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers):
4 ultrasonic buttons (top), 2 capacitive sliding buttons (back) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 12, ZUI 13 | Android 11, Legion OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 640GB 18GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1
640GB (512GB UFS + 128GB SSD) | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | Motorized pop-up 44 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.65", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Two USB Type-C (2.0 & 3.1), 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 68W wired, 100% in 35 min | 90W wired (dual USB-C ports), 50% in 12 min, 100% in 30 min
65W wired (single USB-C port) |
| Type | Li-Po 5600 mAh | Li-Po 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Titanium White, Ultimate Black |
| Models | L71061 | L70081 |
| Price | About 570 EUR | About 880 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Y90
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Potentially improved camera
- Slightly better display
- Modern design
- Slower charging than Legion 2 Pro
- Potential thermal throttling issues
Lenovo Legion 2 Pro
- Incredibly fast 90W charging
- Dual USB-C ports for versatility
- Excellent cooling system
- Mature software
- Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Slightly less powerful than Y90
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays, likely around 144Hz, offering smooth visuals. The Y90 likely has slightly improved color accuracy and brightness due to the newer panel technology. Expect vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles on both.
Camera Comparison
While gaming is the focus, both phones offer capable camera systems. Expect a primary sensor around 50MP on both, with ultrawide and macro lenses. Image processing and low-light performance are likely improved on the Y90 due to the newer chipset and potentially updated camera software.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Y90 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 888 in the 2 Pro. This translates to smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking. The Y90's 4nm process also contributes to improved efficiency, though thermal management will be key.
Battery Life
The Legion 2 Pro's 90W charging is a standout feature, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Y90's 68W charging is still fast, but not as impressive. Battery capacity is likely similar, around 5000mAh on both, so real-world battery life should be comparable, depending on usage.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Legion Y90 is ideal for gamers prioritizing top-tier performance and the latest technology. The Legion 2 Pro is a great choice for those who value incredibly fast charging and appreciate the dual-port setup for simultaneous charging and accessory use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lenovo Legion Y90 worth the upgrade from the Legion 2 Pro?
If you prioritize raw performance and the latest technology, then yes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a significant boost. However, if fast charging and dual USB-C ports are more important, the Legion 2 Pro remains a compelling option.
❓ How does the cooling system compare between the two phones?
Both phones feature advanced cooling systems, including vapor chambers and multiple heat pipes. The Legion 2 Pro has a reputation for excellent thermal management, but the Y90's system is likely improved to handle the 8 Gen 1's heat output.
