Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is a part of Lenovo’s gaming smartphone lineup, designed specifically for mobile gaming enthusiasts. Here’s an in-depth review of the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2:

Overview:

Launched in 2021, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is the successor to the original Legion Phone Duel. It’s packed with features that cater to gamers, such as shoulder triggers, a unique cooling system, and a design that emphasizes landscape use.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 11, with Lenovo’s ZUI 12.5 (Legion OS) on top.
  2. Display: 6.92-inch AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.
  4. Memory: Options of 8/12/16/18 GB RAM with 128/256/512 GB internal storage.
  5. Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 64 MP primary sensor and 16 MP ultrawide lens. The front camera is a motorized pop-up 44 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: 5500 mAh non-removable battery (split into two 2750 mAh cells) with 90W fast charging.
  7. Other Features: Physical pop-up gaming triggers, RGB lighting, a side-mounted charging port, and an advanced cooling system.

Pros:

  1. Gaming Features: The physical pop-up gaming triggers, RGB lighting, and the side-mounted charging port make for an enhanced gaming experience.
  2. Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 888, the device is well-equipped to handle any game or app.
  3. Display: The 144Hz AMOLED display ensures ultra-smooth visuals, crucial for gaming.
  4. Fast Charging: The 90W fast charging can charge the phone incredibly quickly, minimizing downtime.
  5. Unique Design: The phone’s design, with its central “spine” and rear camera placement, is optimized for landscape use, which is how most games are played.

Cons:

  1. Bulk and Weight: The phone is quite bulky and heavy, which might not be ideal for non-gaming everyday use.
  2. Software Experience: While Legion OS offers gaming-centric features, it might not be to everyone’s liking, especially those used to more mainstream UIs.
  3. Durability Concerns: The unique design, especially the motorized front camera, might raise concerns about long-term durability.
  4. Lack of 3.5mm Jack: Despite being a gaming phone, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, which some gamers might miss.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 faced competition from:

  • ASUS ROG Phone 5: Another gaming-centric phone with a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 888, and AirTriggers.
  • Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro: Featuring a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 888, and physical pop-up shoulder buttons.
  • Nubia Red Magic 6: With its 165Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 888, and built-in shoulder triggers.

Launch Date:

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 was announced in April 2021.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Overheating: Some users reported overheating issues, especially during extended gaming sessions.
  2. Software Bugs: Early adopters mentioned occasional software bugs and glitches in Legion OS.
  3. Bulkiness: The phone’s design, while unique, also made it less pocket-friendly and harder to use one-handed.

Conclusion:

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is a gaming powerhouse, offering features and design choices that cater specifically to gamers. While it excels in its gaming capabilities, it might not be the best choice for users looking for a more traditional smartphone experience. Its unique design, while optimized for gaming, also brings about concerns regarding everyday usability and durability. For mobile gaming enthusiasts, the Legion Phone Duel 2 is a top contender, but for the average user, it might be a bit overkill.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel (known as Legion Phone Pro in some regions) is Lenovo’s ambitious entry into the gaming smartphone market, under its well-regarded Legion gaming brand. Here’s an in-depth review of the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel:

Overview:

Launched in 2020, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel is designed with the mobile gamer in mind. It boasts a unique design, top-tier specifications, and gaming-centric features that differentiate it from conventional smartphones.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 10, with Lenovo’s ZUI 12 (Legion OS) on top.
  2. Display: 6.65-inch AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, boasting a 144Hz refresh rate.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+.
  4. Memory: Options of 8/12/16 GB RAM with 128/256/512 GB UFS 3.1 internal storage.
  5. Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 64 MP primary sensor and a 16 MP ultrawide lens. The standout feature is its 20 MP side-mounted pop-up selfie camera, designed for streamers.
  6. Battery: 5000 mAh non-removable battery, split into two 2500 mAh cells, with 90W fast charging.
  7. Other Features: Shoulder triggers for enhanced gaming, RGB lighting, side-mounted charging port for landscape-mode gaming, and a unique cooling system.

Pros:

  1. Gaming Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 865+ and coupled with ample RAM, the device is tailored for high-end gaming.
  2. Display: The 144Hz AMOLED display ensures ultra-smooth visuals, a boon for gamers.
  3. Unique Design: The phone’s design, with its central “spine”, RGB lighting, and side-mounted pop-up camera, is distinct and unmistakably gamer-centric.
  4. Fast Charging: The 90W fast charging can charge the phone incredibly quickly, thanks to the dual battery system.
  5. Shoulder Triggers: These provide tactile feedback and can be customized for different games, enhancing the gaming experience.

Cons:

  1. Bulk and Weight: The device is hefty and might not be comfortable for everyone, especially for prolonged use.
  2. Camera Performance: While decent, the camera setup isn’t the best in its class, especially when compared to non-gaming flagships.
  3. Software Experience: Some users found Legion OS/ZUI 12 to be less intuitive compared to other Android skins.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket and category, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel faced competition from:

  • Asus ROG Phone 3: Another gaming-centric phone with a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865+, and AirTriggers.
  • Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro: Featuring a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865, and physical pop-up shoulder buttons.
  • Nubia Red Magic 5S: With its 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865, and built-in shoulder triggers.

Launch Date:

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel was announced in July 2020.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Bugs: Some users reported occasional software glitches or inconsistencies within Legion OS, especially with third-party apps.
  2. Thermal Management: Despite its unique cooling system, the device could get warm during extended gaming sessions.
  3. Durability Concerns: The mechanical side-mounted pop-up camera, while innovative, raised concerns about long-term durability.

Conclusion:

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel is a bold statement in the gaming smartphone market. With its unique design, top-tier performance, and features tailored for gamers, it offers a distinct experience. While it might not be the best all-rounder, especially in areas like camera performance and software, it excels in its niche. For mobile gaming enthusiasts, especially those who stream their gameplay, the Legion Phone Duel is a compelling option.