Looking for an affordable smartphone? The LG G4 Beat and LG K42 are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value? We'll dive deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG K42 generally edges out the G4 Beat due to its newer chipset, improved efficiency, and likely better software support. While the G4 Beat boasts a slightly more refined design for some, the K42's modern features and battery life make it the stronger choice overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, July. Released 2015, August | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm (5.62 x 2.86 x 0.39 in) | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | - | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP
13 MP, AF (Latin America) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Gray, Ceramic White, Shiny Gold | Gray, Green |
| Models | H735, H736 | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 140 EUR |
LG G4 Beat
- Compact size
- Premium build quality (for its time)
- Decent camera with OIS (for its time)
- Good ergonomics
- Outdated chipset
- Limited software updates
- Smaller battery
- Lower screen resolution
LG K42
- Larger display
- More efficient chipset
- Longer battery life
- Modern Android experience
- Likely better software support
- Less premium build quality
- Camera performance may vary
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
The LG K42 features a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the G4 Beat's 5-inch screen. While both use IPS panels, the K42's higher resolution (likely HD+ vs. FHD on the G4 Beat) should offer a sharper image. Viewing angles and color accuracy are likely comparable, though the K42's size advantage is significant.
Camera Comparison
The G4 Beat was known for its impressive camera for its time, featuring a 13MP main sensor with OIS. The LG K42 likely has a multi-lens setup (potentially a 13MP main, ultrawide, and depth sensor), but image quality will depend on the sensor size and software processing. Low-light performance might be slightly better on the K42 due to newer image processing algorithms.
Performance
The LG K42's Mediatek Helio P22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, is more efficient and generally faster than the G4 Beat's Snapdragon 615 (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the K42. The K42's single-core performance is also likely better due to the newer Cortex-A53 cores running at 2.0 GHz.
Battery Life
The LG K42 likely has a larger battery capacity than the G4 Beat (potentially 4000mAh+ vs. 2500mAh). Coupled with the more efficient Helio P22 chipset, the K42 should offer significantly longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The LG G4 Beat might appeal to users seeking a compact phone with a premium feel (for its time) and a decent camera, especially if they can find it at a very low price. The LG K42 is ideal for those prioritizing battery life, a larger display, and a more modern Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG G4 Beat still worth buying?
Only if you find it extremely cheap and prioritize a compact size and a decent camera for basic photography. Be aware of its outdated hardware and limited software support.
❓ What Android version does the LG K42 run?
The LG K42 typically ships with Android 10 or 11, with potential for updates depending on LG's support policy.
