Nostalgia for LG phones is real, and both the G5 SE and G4 Beat offer a taste of their past innovations. But which one holds up better today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which of these older Android devices is the right choice for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG G5 SE clearly edges out the G4 Beat thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 652 chipset and support for Quick Charge 3.0. While both are aging devices, the G5 SE provides a smoother experience and quicker charging, making it the preferable option for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H840 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - H840 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, April. Released 2016, June | 2015, July. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm (5.88 x 2.91 x 0.29 in) | 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm (5.62 x 2.86 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 77.4 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 510 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), LG Optimus UX UI 5 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, 29mm (standard), 1/2.6", 3-axis OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2" | - |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP
13 MP, AF (Latin America) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 380 h (3G) | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 20 h (3G) | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Titan, Gold | Metallic Gray, Ceramic White, Shiny Gold |
| Models | H845, H840, H848 | H735, H736 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 160 EUR |
LG G5 SE
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 652)
- Quick Charge 3.0
- Better Battery Life
- Likely better camera quality
- OIS
- Older Device
- Limited Software Updates
- May be difficult to find new
LG G4 Beat
- Compact Size
- Potentially Lower Price (if found)
- Decent Display
- Slower Processor (Snapdragon 615)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Older Camera
- Less Responsive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 5.3-inch displays, but the G5 SE likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its newer panel. The G4 Beat's display is decent but shows its age compared to the G5 SE. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080p.
Camera Comparison
The G5 SE boasts a 16MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), while the G4 Beat has a 13MP camera with laser autofocus. While both take decent photos in good lighting, the G5 SE's OIS and newer image processing should result in better low-light performance and sharper images. The G5 SE also likely has a better front-facing camera.
Performance
This is where the G5 SE shines. The Snapdragon 652 is a noticeable upgrade over the G4 Beat's Snapdragon 615. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive feel on the G5 SE. The G4 Beat can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The G5 SE has a 3000mAh battery, while the G4 Beat has a 2500mAh battery. Coupled with its more efficient chipset, the G5 SE should offer noticeably better battery life than the G4 Beat. The G5 SE's Quick Charge 3.0 support also provides faster charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The LG G5 SE is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a slightly more modern Android experience and faster performance. The LG G4 Beat might appeal to those seeking a smaller, more compact device and are less concerned with raw power, or those finding it at a significantly lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are software updates still available for these phones?
Software updates for both the LG G5 SE and G4 Beat are extremely limited. They are both considered legacy devices and no longer receive official updates from LG.
❓ Which phone is more likely to be found in good condition?
Finding either phone in excellent condition can be challenging. However, the G5 SE was produced in slightly higher numbers, so it might be marginally easier to find a well-maintained unit.
