Pixel 7a vs LG K40: A Deep Dive into Performance, Camera, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. Its Tensor G2 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, a vastly improved camera experience, and a brighter display. While the LG K40 offers affordability, the Pixel 7a’s capabilities justify the price difference for anyone prioritizing performance and photography.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG K40 | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February. Released 2019, April | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 153 x 71.9 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), LG UX 7 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, New Moroccan Blue, New Platinum Gray | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | LMX420, LMX420EMW, LM-X420 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
LG K40
- Significantly faster performance with the Tensor G2 chipset.
- Superior camera quality with Google’s computational photography.
- Brighter and more vibrant display with higher peak brightness.
- Faster charging and wireless charging support.
- Higher price point compared to the LG K40.
- May not offer expandable storage.
Google Pixel 7a
- Extremely affordable price.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Potentially longer battery life with lighter usage (due to less powerful processor).
- Durable build quality (typical of LG).
- Slow performance with the Helio P22 chipset.
- Inferior camera quality.
- Dimmer and less vibrant display.
- Limited software support and updates.
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s display is a significant upgrade over the LG K40’s. While the K40’s specs are unavailable, it’s likely a standard LCD panel. The Pixel 7a, however, reaches a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. This is crucial for outdoor use, a scenario where the K40 would likely struggle. The Pixel 7a’s panel technology (likely OLED) also offers superior contrast and color accuracy, enhancing the viewing experience for videos and photos. We can assume the K40 lacks features like HDR support, common on the Pixel 7a.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a excels in the camera department, a key differentiator. While the LG K40’s camera specs are not detailed, it’s reasonable to assume it features a basic sensor and limited image processing capabilities. The Pixel 7a benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography, leveraging the Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP) to produce stunning photos and videos. Features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom are unavailable on the K40. The Pixel 7a’s camera system likely includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), further enhancing image quality, especially in low light. The K40 likely lacks OIS. The Pixel 7a’s video recording capabilities are also far superior, offering features like 4K recording and advanced stabilization.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The LG K40’s Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm) with its Cortex-A53 cores is designed for basic tasks. The Pixel 7a’s Google Tensor G2 (5nm) is a completely different beast. The Tensor G2’s octa-core configuration, featuring Cortex-X1 and Cortex-A78 cores, delivers significantly faster processing speeds – 2.85 GHz vs 2.0 GHz – and improved efficiency. The 5nm manufacturing process further enhances efficiency, reducing heat and improving sustained performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Pixel 7a. The K40 will likely exhibit noticeable lag when running demanding apps or multitasking.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a boasts an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the LG K40’s battery capacity is unknown, the Pixel 7a’s more efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to its longevity. The Pixel 7a also supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging, offering convenient charging options. The K40 likely supports slower charging speeds and lacks wireless charging. The Tensor G2’s efficiency means the Pixel 7a can deliver all-day battery life for moderate users, while the K40’s battery life will be more dependent on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K40 if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You’ll appreciate its simplicity and affordability. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize a smooth user experience, excellent camera quality, and access to Google’s AI-powered features, even if it means spending more. It’s ideal for photography enthusiasts and users who demand responsive performance.