Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) review – The Fastest RTX 5070 We’ve Ever Tested
The Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, Gen 10) looks like a refined productivity machine that would blend perfectly into any office. But don’t let the modest exterior fool you; beneath the hood lies a ferocious gaming engine. In our testing, this laptop didn’t just perform well – it shattered expectations, clocking in as the fastest RTX 5070 laptop we have ever reviewed. However, this unchecked power comes with a significant trade-off that tethers it to the wall. Is raw, record-breaking speed enough to justify the compromise in endurance?
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/lenovo-legion-5i-15-gen-10/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
Lenovo Legion 5i (15", 15IRHX10, Gen 10) - Specs
- HDD/SSD
- up to 8000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 2x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 96GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, No OS
- Battery
- 80Wh
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate
- Dimensions
- 344.9 x 255.35 x 19.95 - 23.99 mm (13.58" x 10.05" x 0.79")
- Weight
- 1.90 kg (4.2 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 2x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Sleep and Charge
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), DisplayPort
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- HDMI
- 2.1 (8K@60Hz)
- Card reader
- Ethernet LAN
- 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- 5.2 / 5.4
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- Web camera
- HD 720p, with E-shutter, fixed focus
- Backlit keyboard
- Microphone
- Dual-microphone array
- Speakers
- Stereo speakers, 2W x2, audio by HARMAN, optimized with Nahimic Audio
- Security Lock slot
All Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/bg/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/legion-series/legion-5-15irx10
What’s in the box?
The unboxing for the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, Gen 10) is all about function over frills.
Alongside the laptop itself, the only accessory you will find is the necessary 245W Slim Tip (3-pin) power adapter.
Design and construction
The Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) maintains the “discreet gamer” aesthetic that has become a hallmark of the Legion brand. Finished in a strict “Eclipse Black,” it avoids excessive flashiness in favour of a clean, professional look that wouldn’t feel out of place in an office, yet still hints at its performance capabilities.
Interestingly, the build materials and dimensions differ significantly depending on the display option you choose. Having previously reviewed the AMD version with the premium OLED panel (which features an aluminium lid and a slimmer profile), we deliberately opted for the IPS variant this time to see how the more mainstream configuration stacks up.
Our IPS model is constructed entirely from PC-ABS plastic reinforced with 15% talc, both on the top cover and the bottom base. This results in a chassis that is slightly thicker and heavier than its OLED counterpart, measuring 22.50-23.99 mm (0.89-0.94 inches) thick and starting at 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs). In comparison, the OLED models are slimmer at 19.95-21.54 mm (0.79-0.85 inches) and lighter at 1.9 kg (4.19 lbs).
The painted surface treatment on our unit does a surprisingly good job of resisting fingerprints on the chassis itself, though the keycaps can pick up some faint, hard-to-see smudges over time. While the plastic construction does exhibit some minor flex under significant pressure, it feels sturdy enough for everyday use and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. The hinge is well-tuned, allowing for a smooth, one-handed opening of the lid.
The display is framed by bezels measuring 9 mm on the sides and top, with a small “bump” in the center of the top bezel extending to about 12 mm to house the camera module. This module contains a dual-microphone array and, depending on the configuration, either an HD 720p or a 5.0MP camera. Both camera options come with a convenient E-shutter for privacy. A standout feature of the hinge is its ability to open a full 180 degrees, allowing the screen to lay completely flat for flexible viewing angles.
The keyboard deck is spacious and includes a NumPad, although its keys are slightly reduced in size. The keyboard itself is comfortable to use and, in a win for gamers, features full-sized, easy-to-use arrow keys. Backlighting options include either a crisp white backlight or a more customizable 24-Zone RGB setup. There is no fingerprint reader for biometric login. Below the keyboard sits a trackpad measuring 75 × 120 mm (approximately 2.95 x 4.72 inches). Its buttonless Mylar surface supports Precision TouchPad gestures and provides a smooth, reliable navigation experience.
Ports and Connectivity
The Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, Gen 10) offers a generous and well-organized selection of ports suited for both gaming and productivity. On the left side, you’ll find a Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port for stable wired networking. Alongside it are two USB-C ports with distinct capabilities: one supports the advanced DisplayPort 2.1 standard and USB Power Delivery (including Lenovo’s proprietary 140W fast charging protocol with a compatible adapter), while the second USB-C port supports DisplayPort 1.4. While USB-C charging is convenient for travel, using the dedicated power adapter is recommended for maximum performance. A USB-A port (5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1) with an ‘Always-On’ charging feature completes the left-side layout.
The right side focuses on peripheral connectivity, housing two additional USB-A ports, both operating at 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1) speeds. This brings the total USB-A count to three, which is excellent for connecting a mouse, keyboard, and external drive simultaneously. Also located here are a standard 3.5mm combo audio jack and a physical E-shutter switch for instant webcam privacy. To keep the desk setup clean, the bulky HDMI 2.1 port (capable of up to 8K output at 60Hz) and the main proprietary power connector are located on the rear of the chassis.
Wireless connectivity varies by configuration, offering either a solid Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) module with Bluetooth 5.2, or a future-proof Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) card paired with Bluetooth 5.4. Prospective buyers looking for the absolute fastest wireless speeds should check the specific model to ensure it includes the Wi-Fi 7 option.
Display and Sound Quality, Display Profiles
As we noted above, we ordered the Legion 5i with the IPS screen option. We’ve already tested the OLED variant with the AMD configuration of Lenovo Legion 5i 15″ Gen 10 (detailed review).
| Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) | 15.3″, WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz, IPS (NE153WUM-NY1 / AUODBB5) | 15.1″, WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 165 Hz, OLED |
| Diagonal | 15.3 inches (38.9 cm) | 15.1 inches (38.4 cm) |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Max Refresh Rate | 165 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Pixel Density | 148 PPI | 200 PPI |
| ‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 59 cm | Greater than or equal to 44 cm |
The WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz, IPS display variant under our microscope
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content.
Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10): the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this display can show.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the display at 95% of the sRGB color gamut and 76% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) covers 95% of the sRGB gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 311 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 297 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 8%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6950K.
The contrast ratio is 1490:1.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 184 nits (Windows slider = 79%) – a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10). We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Before our calibration of the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10), the Average color accuracy was 2.9 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Office profile, it lowered to 0.8 dE (Fig. 3).
(Fig. 2) Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) in its factory condition
(Fig. 3) Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) with our display profile
Comparison in the sRGB color space.
Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Office profile aims to deliver:
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Office Profile
Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Gaming and movies profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 23.6 ms.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The light from the backlight of the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10)’s screen is 61.3 GU. Not an exceptional result but it’s still on the healthy side. This is the biggest flaw of the OLED variant which has a super reflective surface.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) configurations with NE153WUM-NY1 (AUODBB5), 1920 x 1200, IPS panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Design and Office
The Design and Office profile makes display colors as close to real as possible.Ideal not only for professionals but also for everyday users, it meets sRGB standards (D65 white point, sRGB gamma) with minimal DeltaE for precise color reproduction on your panel.
Gaming and Movies
Have you ever watched a movie where, during dark scenes, you can barely see anything? Many displays fail to distinguish dark tones properly. Our Gaming and Movies profile enhances low-light performance, like HDR tech, using a gamma curve tailored to human perception — ideal for gamers seeking faster reactions and clearer visuals.
Health-Guard
Our Health-Guard profile protects your eyes by eliminating PWM flickering, reducing strain and fatigue, and minimizing harmful Blue light exposure that can disrupt sleep and health. It uses software dimming and a gamma curve tailored to human perception for comfort and safety during screen use.
Get All The Profiles With 33% Discount!
Sound
When we subjectively listen to a sound file through the built-in speakers, the sound quality offered by Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) is relatively good. However, the low, mid and high frequencies have slight deviations in clarity.
Work Performance: CPU, Storage, AI
All performance and temperature tests are conducted with Performance mode activated in Legion Space:
CPU and Work Performance
The Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) offers a range of high-performance Intel HX-series processors, starting with the Intel Core i7-13650HX and going up to the Core i9-14900HX. The latter is currently ranked #12 in our Top Laptop CPU Ranking, followed by the Core i7-14700HX at #18 and the Core i7-13650HX at #29. These CPUs provide strong multi-core performance that suits demanding gaming, content creation, and other heavy workloads.
Core i7-13650HX is on-par with AMD Ryzen 7 260 in single-core but it’s much faster in multi-core, even surpassing the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350. It’s a good choice for gaming, but if you need a workstation monster, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is the best choice here.
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Storage Performance
We ordered a configuration with 1TB of storage and the Lenovo Legion 5i arrived with Samsung MZAL81T0HFLB-00BL2.
It’s a high-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive, reaching 7.1GB/sec sequential read and 5.7GB/sec sequential write speeds in our benchmark, while keeping the temperatures in “OK” levels.
AI Performance
Here you can see the position of the GPUs and CPUs (NPUs) found within the Lenovo Legion 5i (15", 15IRHX10, Gen 10) in our AI Hardware Performance Rankings based on their AI processing power, measured in TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) - a critical metric indicating the computational throughput, particularly for AI tasks.
The first column shows peak performance for INT8/FP8 precision, which is the most widespread metric for evaluating AI inference capabilities. We exclude Sparsity to provide a more accurate reflection of AI performance in dense computation scenarios where sparsity optimizations may not be applicable. The second and third columns show the performance with Sparsity, and FP4 TFLOPS, when supported.
For SoCs, the results reflect the peak performance of the integrated NPU. Additionally, it’s important to note that, according to Microsoft, a NPU must have at least 40 TOPS of AI computing power for the PC to be considered “AI-capable.”
| # | GPU / CPU (NPU) | TOPS INT8/FP8 No Sparsity | TOPS INT8/FP8 Sparsity | TFLOPS FP4 Sparsity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 849. | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (Laptop, 8GB GDDR7) | 173 | 346 | 692 |
| 1015. | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (Laptop) | 133 | 266 | 532 |
GPU and Gaming Performance
On the graphics side, the Legion 5i can be configured with NVIDIA GeForce RTX laptop GPUs. The available options include the RTX 5070 (Laptop) at #27 in our Top Laptop Graphics Ranking, the RTX 5060 (Laptop) at #60, and the RTX 5050 (Laptop) at #85. This selection gives gamers and creators flexibility to balance performance and cost, whether you’re targeting high-framerate gaming or more efficient 1080p workloads.
Now, are you ready for the big surprise? The Lenovo Legion 5i, along with its AMD sibling, are the most powerful RTX 5070 laptops we’ve EVER tested!
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Lenovo Legion 5i (15", 15IRHX10, Gen 10) GPU variants
Here you can see an approximate comparison between the GPUs that can be found in the Lenovo Legion 5i (15", 15IRHX10, Gen 10) models on the market. This way you can decide for yourself which Lenovo Legion 5i (15", 15IRHX10, Gen 10) model is the best bang for your buck.
Note: The chart shows the cheapest different GPU configurations so you should check what the other specifications of these laptops are by clicking on the laptop’s name / GPU.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
Results are from the 3DMark: Wild Life (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Gaming tests
The Lenovo Legion 5i is an absolute powerhouse for competitive gaming. In Counter-Strike 2, it delivers a massive 285 FPS at 1200p on Very High settings, ensuring extremely low latency for high-level play.
| Counter Strike 2 | 1200p, Very High (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 285 FPS |
In the demanding Black Myth: Wukong, the laptop provides impressive versatility. It nearly hits the 200 FPS mark on Low settings, and maintains a very smooth 107 FPS on High settings at 1200p.
| Black Myth: Wukong | 1200p, Low (Check settings) | 1200p, High (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 198 FPS | 107 FPS |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs incredibly well on this configuration. Frame rates remain very high across the board, ranging from 184 FPS on Medium to a solid 131 FPS on the Highest preset at 1200p.
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 1200p, Medium (Check settings) | 1200p, High (Check settings) | 1200p, Highest (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 184 FPS | 178 FPS | 131 FPS |
The RTX 5070 handles the ray-tracing workload of Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition with ease. It clears the 100 FPS barrier, averaging 108 FPS on High settings at 1200p.
| Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition | 1200p, High (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 108 FPS |
Temperatures and Comfort, Noise, Stability
At idle, the CPU package of the Legion 5i maintains a temperature of 45ºC, and the notebook remains completely silent.
Office Work, Web Development, Design
Short periods (0:00 – 0:10 s) of 100 % CPU load
This test shows the CPU behavior during short periods of serious load. It’s important for users who are looking for laptops suitable for tasks like Web Design and Programming.
| Intel Core i7-13650HX | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Temp. | Avg. CPU Power |
| Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) | 4331 MHz | 82 °C | 115 W |
The Lenovo Legion 5i delivers excellent burst performance under short CPU loads. The processor achieved a peak clock of 4464 MHz and drew a high peak power of 124 W, resulting in a strong average clock speed of 4331 MHz over the first ten seconds. However, this aggressive power profile caused the CPU to reach a high peak temperature of 99 °C early in the test, which is categorized as high. The average temperature during this period settled at an acceptable 82 °C, while sustaining 115 W of power draw. This indicates the cooling system manages the sustained short load well, despite the initial thermal spike.
Video editing, Scientific computing, Software compilation, 3D rendering
Long periods (0:00 – 30:00 min) of 100 % CPU load
This test shows the CPU behavior during long periods of serious load. It’s important for users who are looking for laptops suitable for tasks like Video Editing and 3D Rendering.
| Intel Core i7-13650HX | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Temp. | Avg. CPU Power |
| Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) | 4079 MHz | 85 °C | 101 W |
Under prolonged 30-minute CPU stress, the Lenovo Legion 5i demonstrates effective long-term cooling, maintaining an acceptable average temperature of 85 °C (within the 80–90 °C range). The processor sustains a very high average clock speed of 4079 MHz while drawing 101 W of power, which is strong performance for this duration. However, during the transition phase (30 seconds to 5 minutes), a substantial frequency drop of 1832 MHz (down to 2632 MHz) was recorded. Although the performance rebounded significantly to achieve the high average sustained clock rate, this initial dip suggests momentary heavy thermal or power limitation.
Gaming Stability
Continuous gaming (1-hour test)
This test evaluates the laptop’s performance under sustained GPU load and high CPU usage.
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | Avg. GPU Clock | Avg. GPU Temp. | Avg. Memory Clock | Avg. GPU Mem Temp. | Avg. GPU Power |
| Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) | 2700 MHz | 82 °C | 1125 MHz | 71 °C | 113 W |
| Acer Nitro 18 AI (AN18-61) | 2588 MHz | 79 °C | 1125 MHz | 75 °C | 113 W |
| ASUS ProArt P16 H7606 (2025) | 2553 MHz | 84 °C | 1125 MHz | 83 °C | 102 W |
| Alienware 16X Aurora (AC16251) | 2528 MHz | 86 °C | 1125 MHz | 81 °C | 111 W |
| HP OMEN 16 (16-ap0000) | 2510 MHz | 77 °C | 1125 MHz | 69 °C | 113 W |
| Acer Nitro V 17 AI (ANV17-41) | 2489 MHz | 82 °C | 1093 MHz | 77 °C | 93 W |
| Acer Predator Triton 14 AI (PT14-52T) | 2462 MHz | 81 °C | 1125 MHz | 75 °C | 107 W |
| Acer Nitro V 16 (ANV16-72) | 2460 MHz | 78 °C | 1125 MHz | 75 °C | 93 W |
| MSI Katana 17 HX B14W | 2452 MHz | 85 °C | 1125 MHz | 83 °C | 106 W |
| Lenovo Legion 7i (16”, Gen 10 / 16IAX10) | 2441 MHz | 83 °C | 1125 MHz | 75 °C | 104 W |
| MSI Katana 15 HX B14W | 2376 MHz | 85 °C | 1500 MHz | 85 °C | 112 W |
| Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) | 2114 MHz | 73 °C | 1125 MHz | 72 °C | 74 W |
The gaming stability test shows the Legion 5i utilizing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 exceptionally well. The system sustained an outstanding average GPU clock speed of 2700 MHz over the hour-long session, drawing 113 W. This clock rate is substantially higher than all comparable RTX 5070 laptops tested, indicating superior sustained graphical output. Thermally, the system performed flawlessly: the average core temperature was 82 °C (84 °C peak) and the average memory temperature was 71 °C (74 °C peak). Both core and memory temperatures remained comfortably within the good thermal limits (≤90 °C core, <95 °C memory), confirming excellent cooling performance under heavy GPU load.
Battery Life
The battery of the Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, 15IRHX10, Gen 10) is a 4-cell Li-ion, model L24M4PC0. Its nominal voltage is 15.52V and stores 80 Wh of electrical energy.
We tested the battery with Quiet mode activated in Legion Space:
The battery life is far from record-breaking with just over 3 hours on a single charge. Only the 14-inch Acer Triton has a lower result here while the Acer Nitro V 16 ANV16-72 (detailed review), despite having a 76Wh unit, managed to get us more than 7 hours.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
Getting inside the Legion 5i 15 Gen 10 is uncomplicated: the bottom panel is secured by ten screws, with four shorter screws mixed into the set, and the clips release cleanly with a thin plastic pry tool if you work around the edges patiently.
Once opened, the layout is tidy and easy to read, with the battery along the front edge, a central shielded service area for memory and storage, and the thermal assembly spanning the upper half of the motherboard.
Cooling is handled by a dual-fan solution with shared heatpipes and multiple fin stacks, including a strong rear exhaust section plus side venting, which is exactly the kind of layout you want in a performance-focused 15-inch chassis.
Our unit uses an 80Wh battery pack, and it is user-replaceable after disconnecting the cable and removing its mounting screws, so long-term serviceability is better than on many thinner gaming laptops.
For storage, this configuration ships with a Samsung PM9C1b 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 drive in a short M.2 form factor, and there is a second M.2 slot available for expansion; across the series, factory SSD capacity varies by SKU, but dual-slot storage expansion is one of the practical strengths here.
The memory sits under the EMI shield and uses two standard SO-DIMM slots, which means both sticks are replaceable; in our machine, both slots are populated with 16GB DDR5-5600 modules for 32GB total, while lower-capacity factory variants also exist in the lineup.
The wireless card is socketed rather than soldered, and our unit carries an Intel AX203 module with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2; depending on configuration, some Legion 5i 15IRX10 variants are offered with newer Wi-Fi 7 networking hardware.
The shared metal shielding and thermal interface material over the service area are a nice detail, helping heat distribution around the memory and SSD zone while still keeping key upgrade points accessible for users who want to expand storage or replace RAM later.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion 5i (15″, Gen 10) is a gaming laptop that delivers an experience defined by extreme performance highs and a few notable lows. It embodies the “sleeper” aesthetic perfectly, hiding its immense power within a clean, professional-looking chassis that fits anywhere. This is a machine built for the gamer who wants to dominate leaderboards and values raw frame rates above all else, even if it means sacrificing battery endurance.
While its battery life is disappointing, the core gaming experience is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s a laptop that proves you don’t need the most expensive flagship to get chart-topping performance.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/lenovo-legion-5i-15-gen-10/
✅ The Good
The standout achievement of the Legion 5i is its incredible gaming performance. Our RTX 5070 model delivered the highest average GPU clock speeds of any laptop we’ve tested with this card, surpassing even larger and more expensive competitors. This translates to blistering frame rates and a buttery-smooth experience in even the most demanding titles. The cooling system is equally impressive, keeping the GPU well within safe temperatures while maintaining these record-breaking speeds.
The 165Hz IPS display is a solid performer for gaming. While its color accuracy is average out of the box, our profile transforms it into a highly accurate panel suitable for professional work. Crucially, it is also completely PWM-free, ensuring eye comfort during long sessions. We also love the excellent keyboard layout with full-sized arrow keys and a NumPad, and the good upgradeability with two RAM slots and two M.2 slots.
The build quality feels robust despite the plastic construction, and the port selection is generous, featuring a wide array of USB-A and USB-C ports along with HDMI 2.1.
❌ The Bad
The most significant drawback is the very poor battery life. Lasting just over 3 hours in our tests, it is one of the worst performers in its class, severely limiting its portability. This is a laptop that needs to stay close to a power outlet.
There are also no biometric login options (fingerprint or IR), which feels like a missed convenience feature on a modern laptop.
🆚 The Competitors
Both the Intel variand and its AMD-powered sibling, the Lenovo Legion 5 (15″, Gen 10) (detailed review), are exceptional gaming machines, you just have to choose the CPU hardware.
Against a rival like the Acer Nitro V 16 (ANV16-72) (detailed review), the Legion 5i justifies its premium with significantly higher GPU clock speeds and better build quality. While the Acer offers much better battery life, the Legion 5i is the clear winner for users who prioritize maximum FPS and a more refined chassis.
Pros
- Chart-topping GPU performance (fastest RTX 5070 clocks tested)
- Excellent thermal management for the GPU
- Great keyboard layout with full-sized arrow keys
- PWM-free display with potential for high color accuracy
- Fantastic upgradeability with two RAM and two M.2 slots
- Robust build quality and professional design
Cons
- Very poor battery life (approx. 3 hours)
- No biometric login options
Author: Simeon NikolovEditor-in-Chief at LaptopMedia.com with 20+ years of experience in testing and analyzing laptops and mobile devices.
Author: eng. Kroum NikolovHead of Engineering at LaptopMedia.com, inventor and innovator with 40+ years of experience in electronics and high technology.
![[June 2026] Best-Selling Laptop Brands on Amazon Global – Apple’s Unrivaled Dominance in Units and Revenue](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GLOBAL-Best-Brands-400x225.jpg)
![[June 2026] Amazon Global: Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops – Apple’s New MacBook Neo Storms to #1, Reshaping the Market with Affordability](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Best-Selling-Laptops-GLOBAL-Top-10-400x225.jpg)
![[June 2026] Amazon Global: Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops – Acer’s Nitro V 16S AI Dominates Sales, While ASUS Leads Overall Revenue](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Best-Selling-Gaming-Laptops-GLOBAL-Top-10-400x225.jpg)
![[June 2026] Global Ranking of Best-Selling Laptop GPUs on Amazon – NVIDIA RTX 5060 is the Top-Selling Dedicated GPU](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Best-Selling-GPUs-GLOBAL-Top-10-400x225.jpg)
![[June 2026] Global Ranking of Best-Selling Laptop CPUs on Amazon – Apple M5 Dominates, AMD Ryzen 7 260 Gets Solid Premium Share](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Best-Selling-CPUs-GLOBAL-Top-10-400x225.jpg)
