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HTC Explorer vs LG K40S: A Clash of Eras

The HTC Explorer is a nostalgic glimpse into early Android, while the LG K40S represents a more modern budget offering. This comparison pits a classic against a contemporary device, examining which phone delivers the better experience for today's user. Let's dive in and see how these two stack up.
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HTC Explorer vs LG K40S: Which Retro Phone Wins?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The LG K40S is the clear winner. While the HTC Explorer holds sentimental value, its outdated chipset and limited features can't compete with the K40S's significantly improved performance, camera, and modern Android experience. The K40S offers a much more usable and enjoyable smartphone experience.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Explorer LG K40S
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20
EDGENo-
GPRSClass 10-
SpeedHSPA 14.4/5.76 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2011, September. Released 2011, October2019, August. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9 mm (4.05 x 2.25 x 0.51 in)156.3 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMMini-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight108 g (3.81 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
 -MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~276 ppi density)
Size3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~51.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT, 256K colorsIPS LCD
Platform
CPU600 MHz Cortex A5Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 200PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), Sense UI 3.5Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal512MB 512MB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
Phonebook500 entries-
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide)
Features-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single3.15 MP-
Video480p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single-13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video-1080p@30fps
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 SRS surround-
Comms
Bluetooth3.0, A2DP, EDR5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC-Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, GLONASS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
GamesDownloadable-
JavaNo-
MessagingSMS, MMS-
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
 MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player XviD/MP4/H.264/WMV player Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input-
Battery
Stand-byUp to 485 h (2G) / Up to 445 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 7 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 33 min (3G)-
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh batteryLi-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsActive Black, Active Navy, Metallic Black, Metallic NavyNew Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue
Models-LMX430HM, LM-X430
PriceAbout 70 EURAbout 160 EUR
SAR1.56 W/kg (head)     0.75 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.24 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -82.4dB / Crosstalk -81.1dB-
Camera Photo-
Display Contrast ratio: 755:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 79dB -
OUR TESTS
Audio qualityNoise -82.4dB / Crosstalk -81.1dB-
CameraPhoto-
DisplayContrast ratio: 755:1 (nominal)-
LoudspeakerVoice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 79dB-

HTC Explorer

  • Nostalgic Android experience
  • Compact size
  • Simple interface
  • Outdated chipset
  • Poor performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Limited storage
  • Short battery life
  • Basic camera

LG K40S

  • Modern Android experience
  • Decent performance
  • Larger display
  • Better camera
  • Longer battery life
  • More storage options
  • Plastic build quality
  • Basic design

Display Comparison

The HTC Explorer's display is a small, basic LCD with a nominal contrast ratio of 755:1. The LG K40S boasts a larger 6.5-inch IPS LCD, offering significantly better viewing angles, color accuracy, and overall clarity. The K40S's larger size also makes it more comfortable for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo' cameras, but the K40S's hardware and software are far more advanced. While specific megapixel counts are unavailable for the Explorer, the K40S likely has a higher resolution sensor and image processing capabilities, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. The K40S likely also has additional camera features.

Performance

This is where the K40S truly shines. The Mediatek Helio P22 octa-core processor is vastly superior to the HTC Explorer's 600 MHz Cortex A5 Snapdragon S1. The K40S handles multitasking and demanding apps with ease, while the Explorer struggles even with basic tasks. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns on the Explorer.

Battery Life

The LG K40S likely has a larger battery capacity (around 3500mAh, estimated) compared to the HTC Explorer (around 1400mAh, estimated). This translates to significantly longer battery life on the K40S, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, while the Explorer would require frequent charging.

Buying Guide

The HTC Explorer is for Android enthusiasts and collectors seeking a piece of mobile history. The LG K40S is ideal for budget-conscious users needing a reliable, everyday smartphone with decent performance and a capable camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the HTC Explorer worth buying for its nostalgia?
If you're an Android enthusiast or collector, it might be. However, be prepared for a frustratingly slow and limited experience compared to modern smartphones.
❓ Can the HTC Explorer run modern apps?
Most modern apps will not be compatible with the HTC Explorer's outdated Android version and limited hardware capabilities.