Looking for a budget-friendly Android phone? The LG G4 Beat, a slightly older model, and the Samsung Galaxy A13 offer compelling options. But which one delivers the best value? We'll dive deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 wins overall. While the LG G4 Beat has a compact design, the A13's newer chipset, improved battery life, and modern features like a larger display and faster charging make it the better choice for most users.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, July. Released 2015, August | 2022, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm (5.62 x 2.86 x 0.39 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP
13 MP, AF (Latin America) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W 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 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Gray, Ceramic White, Shiny Gold | Black, White, Blue |
| Models | H735, H736 | SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
LG G4 Beat
- Compact size
- Good build quality (for its age)
- Decent camera for its time
- Outdated chipset
- Short battery life
- Slow charging
- Limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
- Larger display
- More powerful chipset
- Longer battery life
- Modern features
- Better camera
- Can feel large for some
- 15W charging is relatively slow compared to newer phones
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 boasts a larger 6.6-inch display compared to the LG G4 Beat's 5.2-inch screen. The A13 likely offers a higher resolution (typically FHD+) providing a more immersive viewing experience. The G4 Beat's smaller size might be preferable for one-handed use, but the A13's larger screen is generally more versatile.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A13 typically features a multi-lens camera system (often including a main lens, ultrawide, and macro) offering more versatility. While the G4 Beat has a decent camera for its time, the A13's newer sensors and image processing algorithms generally result in better image quality, especially in low light.
Performance
The Galaxy A13's Helio G80 chipset is significantly more powerful than the G4 Beat's Snapdragon 615. The A13's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance for demanding tasks and gaming. While the G4 Beat is adequate for basic usage, the A13 offers a smoother and more responsive experience.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A13 generally has a larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset, resulting in significantly longer battery life than the LG G4 Beat. The A13's 15W wired charging is also a step up from the G4 Beat's slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the LG G4 Beat? Those prioritizing a very compact phone and are comfortable with an older device. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13? Anyone seeking a reliable, modern budget phone with a good display, decent performance, and longer battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG G4 Beat still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely need a very compact phone and are comfortable with an older device. Otherwise, the Galaxy A13 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A13 will receive more frequent software updates and security patches than the LG G4 Beat, which is no longer actively supported.
❓ Can the LG G4 Beat handle basic apps?
Yes, it can handle basic apps like social media and email, but performance may be sluggish at times.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 have NFC?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A13 typically includes NFC for contactless payments.
