The Huawei P20 Lite and LG K11 Plus represent two approaches to the budget smartphone market. The P20 Lite, released with a focus on design and a relatively modern chipset, now faces competition from devices like the K11 Plus, which prioritizes a balance of features at an even lower price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Huawei P20 Lite emerges as the better choice. Its Kirin 659 chipset, built on a 16nm process, delivers noticeably improved performance over the LG K11 Plus’s Mediatek MT6750, and the inclusion of 18W fast charging provides a significant convenience advantage despite identical endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - LMX410YC | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 - LMX410YC | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - LMX410ZCW | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, July | 2018, March 20. Released 2018, March 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.7 x 75.3 x 8.7 mm (5.85 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 148.6 x 71.2 x 7.4 mm (5.85 x 2.80 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~277 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 77.4 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~80.5% 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 (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", PDAF - LG K11+
8 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", PDAF - LG K11α | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 18mm, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm
24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm (AL00 for India; TL00 for China) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | Yes (LX1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (LX2/LX3) or a/b/g/n/ac (LX1/LX2J), Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro (except LX2, AL00), proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moroccan Blue, Terra Gold, Black | Klein Blue, Sakura Pink, Midnight Black |
| Models | LMX410, LMX410FC, LMX410YC, LMX410HC, LMX410EO, LMX410ZCW, LMX410BCW, LM-X410S | NE-TL00, ANE-LX1, ANE-LX2, ANE-LX3, ANE-LX2J, ANE-AL00, ANE-L23, ANE-L22, ANE-L21, HWV32, ANE-TL00, ANY-LX2 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -87.9dB / Crosstalk -82.1dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 77h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1785:1 (nominal), 2.952 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 87431 (v7)
GeekBench: 3756 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 2.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K11 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Slower performance
- Limited charging speed
Huawei P20 lite
- More powerful Kirin 659 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better camera performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- Battery endurance is similar to K11 Plus
- Design is dated
Display Comparison
Both the LG K11 Plus and Huawei P20 Lite share a similar display contrast ratio of 1785:1 (nominal) and 2.952 (sunlight), suggesting comparable visibility in bright conditions. However, detailed panel specifications like resolution and screen technology are missing for the K11 Plus. The P20 Lite’s display, while not exceptional, benefits from Huawei’s image processing, potentially offering more accurate colors. Without knowing the K11 Plus’s panel type, it’s difficult to assess its color gamut or viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Given Huawei’s historical strength in mobile photography, the P20 Lite likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a definitive comparison impossible, but Huawei’s brand reputation suggests a more capable camera system overall. It's reasonable to assume the P20 Lite will offer better low-light performance and more detailed images.
Performance
The Kirin 659 in the Huawei P20 Lite, fabricated on a 16nm process, holds a clear advantage over the Mediatek MT6750 (28nm) in the LG K11 Plus. The Kirin 659’s CPU features a higher clock speed for its performance cores (2.36 GHz vs 1.5 GHz), translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The more efficient 16nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained use. While both utilize an octa-core Cortex-A53 configuration, the Kirin 659’s architecture is more refined.
Battery Life
Both the LG K11 Plus and Huawei P20 Lite achieve an endurance rating of 77 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the P20 Lite’s 18W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. This faster charging speed allows for quicker top-ups, reducing downtime and providing greater convenience. While the K11 Plus’s battery capacity is unknown, the P20 Lite’s faster charging offsets any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K11 Plus if you absolutely need to minimize upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Huawei P20 Lite if you prioritize smoother multitasking, slightly better camera performance, and the convenience of faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek MT6750 in the LG K11 Plus sufficient for playing modern mobile games?
The Mediatek MT6750 is a relatively old chipset and will struggle with demanding modern games. While it can handle less graphically intensive titles, expect low frame rates and potential lag in popular games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, even on lower settings. The Kirin 659 in the P20 Lite offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ Does the Huawei P20 Lite support fast charging with any charger, or do I need a specific Huawei charger?
The Huawei P20 Lite supports 18W fast charging, but to achieve the fastest charging speeds, it's recommended to use a charger that supports the Quick Charge protocol and delivers at least 18W of power. While it will charge with a standard 5W charger, the charging time will be considerably longer.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the LG K11 Plus compare to the Huawei P20 Lite during prolonged use?
The LG K11 Plus, with its Mediatek MT6750 built on a 28nm process, is likely to experience more thermal throttling during extended use compared to the Huawei P20 Lite’s Kirin 659 (16nm). The smaller fabrication process of the Kirin 659 results in greater energy efficiency and less heat generation, allowing it to maintain higher performance for longer periods.
