LeEco launched its flagship Le Max 2 smartphone in India today running on the Snapdragon 820 quad-core SoC with 4GB/6GB RAM, 32GB storage running Android Marshmallow. We went hands-on with the Le Max 2 and Le 2 just a few days ahead of the launch event. Read ahead for our impressions on the Le Max 2, and if you want to have a look at the Le 2 Indian variant have a look here.
Before we get to our hands-on experience, let's have a look at the key specs of the new Le Max and if you prefer a visual presentation, we also have a hands-on video just below it.
Le Max 2 Key Specifications
- 5.7-inch Quad-HD (2560x1440 Pixels) IPS Display
- Snapdragon 820, Quad-core processor
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow based EUI 5.8
- 4GB/6GB RAM, 32GB/64GB Internal Storage
- 21MP Rear Camera, 8MP Front camera
- 4G LTE, Dual-SIM (Nano), Dual-band WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, USB Type-C
- Fingerprint Sensor, Unibody Metal Build
- 3100 mAh Battery with Quick Charging
Video: LeEco Le Max 2 Hands-on Overview and First Impressions
Build, Design and Features
This time around LeEco has decided to go with a more manageable display size of 5.7-inch which still retains the quad-HD resolution making it eye watering sharp. Above the display you have an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies, proximity, light sensors and notification LED.
Below the display you have capacitive buttons which do light-up but only when touched, at all other times they are completely invisible adding to the floating front design of the smartphone. Given the 5.7-inch display size, the Le Max 2 is not meant for single-handed use but is still not as unwieldy as the previous-gen Le Max.
In all aspects the design of the Le Max 2 is identical to the Le 2 variant launched in India. You have the SIM tray on the left which can take two nano-SIM cards and there's no storage expansion here.
At the top you have the IR Blaster and yes here too there is no 3.5mm audio jack, instead audio is routed through the USB Type-C port at the bottom. This allows for a completely digital inteface for better sound quality and less distortion added by the inbuilt DAC and Amplifier found on most smartphones. Instead the heavy lifting now needs to be done by the headphones used and would push for high-quality audio equipment. However, there is an amplifier built into the Le Max 2 so that you can use your normal earphones with the bundled Type-C to headphone jack convertor.
Along with the USB port at the bottom you also have the main speaker which seemed loud and the primary microphone.
Both the power button and volume rocker are on the right, and they provide excellent tactile response. They are made of metal as well. Now, there is a small design difference here, the buttons on the Le 2 sit in a metallic groove while they lay on a flat surface on the Le Max 2. That doesn't affect how they work, its just a different design decision.
The camera can be seen at the back and it protrudes a bit more than the Le 2 since it has a larger 21MP sensor with OIS and PDAF. Just below the camera module, you have the ultra-sonic fingerprint sensor which is supposed to improve fingerprint recognition as it is not affected by grease, dirt or any other residue. Even in our testing it worked quite fast.
Being a unibody metal smartphone, the 3100 mAh battery here is non-removable but you do have Quick Charging support and you will get a fast charger within the box.
Display
You have a bright and super-sharp Quad-HD 5.7-inch display on the Le Max 2. There is some protection on top which would resist scratches but I would recommend adding some tempered glass screen protector to save your display in case of a drop.
Moreover, you can also play with the display settings to get the color saturation you want.
Camera
Coming to cameras, you have a 21MP rear camera on the Le Max 2 with a Sony Sensor. It has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in images as well as videos. There's Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) for faster focus in varying light conditions.
You can record 4K videos (2560p) at 30FPS but there is no option to record videos at 60FPS. In the time we spent with the Le Max 2, its camera performed well. Shutter response was fast even in low light and there was minimal noise. The front-facing camera also performed well. But we were under artificial light for most of the time we used the phone, therefore we would need to test the camera out later in different conditions.
Software and Storage
You have Android Marshmallow running the innards with EUI 5.8 on top. There is some customization onboard with themes.
There is support for USB OTG via the Type-C port and you may probably get a micro-USB dongle within the box just like last time. There are two variants of the Le Max 2 one with 4GB RAM 32GB storage and another with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. Both variants have been launched in India.
Then there's LeEco Membership available here too for 1 year which brings Live TV, free movies and later in Q3 Music streaming as well as 5TB free cloud storage.
Le Max 2 vs Le 2 Comparison
In terms of design there aren't many differences between the Le Max 2 and the Le 2. In fact the Le Max 2 is only slightly taller and wider than the Le 2.
The camera hump on the back is a bit more prominent here but the rest of the build is similar. Compared to the previous-gen devices the antenna band is visible as the company is not using plastic bottom and top parts for the back.
Coming to specs, the Le 2 runs on the Snapdragon 652 while the Le Max 2 runs on the Snapdragon 820. There's more memory, more storage and possibly better cameras on the Le Max 2 as well. We will be doing an in-depth comparison once we get the devices for review.
First Impressions
The Le Max 2 is everything you want in a flagship, solid build quality, sharp display, fluid performance and possibly good cameras well. Moreover, its not priced as high as some of its competitors which definitely gives it the edge.
Moreover, with LeEco Membership you have access to a lot of free content on your smartphone including Live TV but for that you need to have a good internet connection and possibly an unlimited data plan.
That being said, the competition in this space is quite fierce. The Xiaomi Mi 5 didn't fit the bill with average battery life and poor network performance. The Nexus 6P is still a crowd favorite and last years' Galaxy S6/Galaxy S6 Edge are still great options to buy. The Le Max 2 will be a tough sell, but that doesn't mean its not worth a consideration.
