Released around the same timeframe, the Kyocera Hydro C5170 and LG Optimus S represent early attempts at affordable Android smartphones. While both aimed for accessibility, a significant disparity in processing power, driven by their respective chipsets, defines their user experience. This comparison dissects those differences, helping you understand which device offered more for its price point.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, Android experience, the Kyocera Hydro C5170 is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 chipset, with a 1.0 GHz CPU, provides a noticeable performance boost over the LG Optimus S’s 600 MHz processor, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | - | 4, 13 |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.0, 153.2 Kbps |
| Technology | CDMA / EVDO | CDMA / EVDO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, May. Released 2012, Q3 | 2010, October. Released 2010, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 115 x 62 x 12.8 mm (4.53 x 2.44 x 0.50 in) | 114 x 59 x 13 mm (4.49 x 2.32 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
IPX5, IPX7 certified | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~51.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~45.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz | 600 MHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 2GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Photo/video editor
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | DivX/Xvid/MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Document viewer
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 200 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray |
| Price | - | About 50 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.26 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) |
Kyocera Hydro C5170
- Faster processor (1.0 GHz Snapdragon S2)
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially better graphics performance
- Limited RAM (likely 512MB or 1GB)
- Outdated Android version
LG Optimus S
- Simple and easy to use
- Potentially lower price point (at launch)
- Basic functionality for calls and texts
- Slow processor (600 MHz)
- Laggy user interface
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Display Comparison
Information regarding display specifications (resolution, panel type, brightness) is unavailable for both devices. However, given their market positioning, it’s safe to assume both utilized low-cost TFT LCD panels with modest resolutions. The difference in display quality is unlikely to be a major differentiating factor. Bezels were likely substantial on both, typical of the era.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s reasonable to assume both featured basic camera modules suitable for casual snapshots. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the improved processing power of the Snapdragon S2 in the Kyocera Hydro C5170 *could* contribute to slightly faster image processing and potentially better image quality, even with similar camera hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Kyocera Hydro C5170’s Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2, featuring a 1.0 GHz CPU, represents a significant leap over the LG Optimus S’s 600 MHz processor. While both are single-core processors, the Snapdragon S2 benefits from a more efficient architecture and higher clock speed. This translates to faster app launch times, smoother web browsing, and a more responsive user interface on the Kyocera device. The Snapdragon S2 also includes an Adreno 200 GPU, offering a better, though still limited, graphics experience compared to the LG Optimus S’s GPU (details unavailable).
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is unavailable for both devices. Given their similar form factors and target markets, battery life was likely comparable, offering a full day of light use. The Snapdragon S2’s improved efficiency *might* offer a slight advantage to the Kyocera Hydro C5170, but this would be minimal without knowing the actual battery capacities. Charging speeds were likely slow on both, utilizing standard micro-USB connections.
Buying Guide
Buy the Kyocera Hydro C5170 if you prioritize responsiveness and a slightly more modern Android experience, even within the limitations of these older devices. It’s the better option for users who intend to run more than just basic apps. Buy the LG Optimus S if you are looking for a very basic, minimal smartphone experience and are primarily concerned with call and text functionality, and are willing to accept significantly slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kyocera Hydro C5170 run modern apps?
No. Both devices are severely limited by their hardware and outdated Android versions. Modern apps will likely be incompatible or run extremely slowly, if at all. They are best suited for basic tasks and older applications.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 1.0 GHz Snapdragon S2 in the Kyocera Hydro C5170 provides a demonstrably smoother experience than the 600 MHz processor in the LG Optimus S. App loading times, web browsing, and multitasking will all feel significantly faster on the Kyocera device.
❓ Can either of these phones be upgraded to a newer version of Android?
Highly unlikely. Both devices were released with older versions of Android and are unlikely to have received any significant software updates. Attempting to install a custom ROM is possible, but carries risks and may not be fully functional.
