Lenovo to launch first eSports smartphone

Lenovo Group Ltd has unveiled its first eSports smartphone, expanding the presence of China's biggest computer maker in the high-end video gaming market.

“In the 5G era, players want an eSports smartphone for gaming,” said Zhao Yunming, Lenovo’s vice president in charge of mobile gaming devices.

China’s mobile eSports market revenue is on track to hit 69.7 billion yuan (US$10 billion) in 2020, accounting for two-thirds of total eSports earnings. The mobile eSports user base will also hit 375 million thanks to advances in chip technology and 5G networks, according to iiMedia. 

The new Legion Pro smartphone features a Snapdragon 865 Plus processor and hardware designed to support gaming. It will start sales next month with prices from 3,499 yuan.

This is Lenovo's first smartphone launched under the Legion brand, which has previously launched computers and other devices aimed at gamers.