The LG K30 (2019) and LG Stylo 5 represent LG’s approach to the budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, they differ significantly in internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG Stylo 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 450 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the K30’s Snapdragon 425, and the inclusion of 20W charging is a significant convenience. While the K30 may offer a slightly lower initial price, the Stylo 5’s improved experience justifies the extra investment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 71.5 x 8.5 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) | 160 x 77.7 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 148 g (5.22 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~73.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP |
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | Blonde Rose, Platinum Gray |
| Models | LM-X320EMW, LMX320EMW, LMX320ZMW, LM-X320ZMW | LM-Q720 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise-93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 79h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1485 (nominal), 3.218 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 70dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4695 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K30 (2019)
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly slower performance
- Less efficient processor
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Inferior display quality
LG Stylo 5
- Faster and more responsive performance
- More efficient processor (14nm)
- 20W fast charging
- Better display contrast ratio
- Longer battery endurance
- Higher initial cost
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
The LG Stylo 5 boasts a contrast ratio of 1485 (nominal) and 3.218 (sunlight), suggesting better visibility in outdoor conditions compared to the K30, which lacks this data. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Stylo 5’s higher contrast ratio indicates improved color reproduction and deeper blacks. The absence of detailed display specifications for the K30 suggests a more basic panel, likely with lower peak brightness and narrower viewing angles. This makes the Stylo 5 the better option for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a camera, but detailed specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning of the Stylo 5 suggests a potentially more refined camera experience, even if the megapixel count is similar. The K30, being a more basic device, likely employs a simpler image processing pipeline. The absence of any mention of advanced features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device indicates a focus on affordability over premium camera capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG K30 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425, a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process. The Stylo 5, however, features the Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450, an octa-core processor fabricated on a more efficient 14nm node. This translates to a substantial performance advantage for the Stylo 5, particularly in multitasking and demanding applications. The 14nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained use. The Stylo 5’s 1.8 GHz clock speed further enhances its processing capabilities compared to the K30’s 1.4 GHz.
Battery Life
The LG Stylo 5’s endurance rating of 79 hours is a significant advantage. While the K30’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Stylo 5’s endurance suggests a well-optimized combination of battery size and power efficiency. Crucially, the Stylo 5 supports 20W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the K30, which likely relies on slower charging speeds. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K30 (2019) if you prioritize absolute minimal cost and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the LG Stylo 5 if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of quicker charging, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG Stylo 5 handle basic mobile games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers without significant lag?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 in the Stylo 5 is more than capable of handling casual mobile games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers. The octa-core processor and higher clock speed provide sufficient processing power for smooth gameplay, unlike the K30’s Snapdragon 425 which may struggle with even these lighter titles.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the LG Stylo 5 a significant improvement over the K30’s charging speed?
Absolutely. While the K30 likely supports standard 5W or 10W charging, the Stylo 5’s 20W charging will dramatically reduce charging times. Expect a much faster top-up, allowing you to get back to using your phone sooner, especially beneficial for users who are frequently on the go.
❓ Does the LG Stylo 5 have enough storage for apps, photos, and videos?
The LG Stylo 5’s storage capacity isn’t specified, but it’s likely to be 32GB or 64GB. This should be sufficient for most users, and the Stylo 5 likely supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage if needed. The K30’s storage is also likely similar, but the Stylo 5’s faster processor will make managing and accessing files more efficient.
