The LG K11 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) represent a shrinking segment of the smartphone market: affordable, reliable devices focused on essential functionality. Both phones have aged, but remain relevant due to their low price points. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which offers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and a slightly smoother experience, the Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) is the better choice. Its Exynos 7870, built on a 14nm process, offers superior power efficiency compared to the LG K11 Plus’s 28nm Mediatek MT6750, despite similar CPU core counts.
| 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 - EMEA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 - LMX410YC | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - EMEA |
| 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, May. Released 2018, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.7 x 75.3 x 8.7 mm (5.85 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 149.9 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm (5.90 x 2.79 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 162 g (5.71 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) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 77.4 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.6 inches, 79.6 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) | Exynos 7870 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 | Mali-T830 MP1 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 18mm, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moroccan Blue, Terra Gold, Black | Black, Gold, Blue, Lavender |
| Models | LMX410, LMX410FC, LMX410YC, LMX410HC, LMX410EO, LMX410ZCW, LMX410BCW, LM-X410S | SM-A600F, SM-A600FN, SM-A600A, SM-A600G, SM-A600GN, SM-A600P, SM-A600N, SM-A600T1, SM-A600AZ, SM-A600T, SM-A600U |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -91.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 83h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.397 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 76dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 91dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 63632 (v7)
GeekBench: 3718 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K11 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life (83h endurance)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Likely slower performance
- Limited camera capabilities (details unknown)
Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018)
- More efficient chipset (14nm)
- Potentially smoother user experience
- Better display quality (speculative)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Battery life is similar to K11 Plus despite efficiency gains
- Camera details are lacking
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar display contrast ratio of Infinite (nominal) and 3.397 in sunlight, suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, detailed panel specifications like resolution and color gamut are missing. Given Samsung’s history with display technology, the A6 likely benefits from better color accuracy and viewing angles, though this is speculative. The lack of information on PWM dimming rates prevents a definitive statement on eye strain for sensitive users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. This suggests both utilize entry-level camera systems. The absence of information makes a direct comparison impossible, but Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally prioritize vibrant colors and detail, while LG often aims for more natural tones. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro cameras on either device is questionable due to their limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) holds a clear advantage in processing efficiency. Its Exynos 7870, fabricated on a 14nm process, is significantly more efficient than the LG K11 Plus’s Mediatek MT6750 (28nm). While both CPUs feature octa-core Cortex-A53 designs, the smaller node size translates to lower power consumption and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. The A6’s CPU clocks slightly higher at 1.6GHz versus 1.5GHz/1.0GHz on the K11 Plus, further contributing to a smoother user experience. Gamers will find the A6 more capable of handling moderately demanding titles.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the LG K11 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours. This suggests similar real-world battery performance *despite* the chipset efficiency difference. The Exynos 7870’s lower power draw is likely offset by other factors, such as display power consumption or software optimization. Without knowing the battery capacity (mAh) of each device, it’s difficult to determine which offers superior longevity. The identical endurance rating indicates a well-balanced power management system on both sides.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K11 Plus if you need a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience, better power efficiency for longer battery life, and a potentially more refined software experience, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek MT6750 in the LG K11 Plus struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6750, particularly with its 28nm process, is likely to exhibit slowdowns when handling multiple apps simultaneously. While the octa-core configuration helps, the Cortex-A53 cores are relatively low-power and can become overwhelmed with demanding tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A6’s Exynos 7870 will offer a noticeably smoother multitasking experience.
❓ Is the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018) significantly impacted by gaming?
While the Exynos 7870 is more efficient than the MT6750, prolonged gaming sessions will still drain the battery relatively quickly. The 83-hour endurance rating is based on typical usage, not continuous gaming. Expect a noticeable reduction in battery life during extended gaming, but the A6’s efficiency will likely result in longer gaming sessions compared to the K11 Plus.
❓ Are software updates still available for either the LG K11 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018)?
Software update support for both devices is likely limited or non-existent at this point. Both phones are several years old, and manufacturers typically cease providing updates after a certain period. Users should not expect to receive major Android version updates or security patches.
