The LG K40 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The K40, an older model, focuses on affordability, while the A23 5G brings 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset to the table. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers significantly better performance and future-proofing thanks to 5G support. While the LG K40 offers basic functionality, the A23 5G provides a smoother, more capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, February. Released 2019, April | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 153 x 71.9 x 8.3 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), LG UX 7 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA
8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, New Moroccan Blue, New Platinum Gray | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | LMX420, LMX420EMW, LM-X420 | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 140 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 138h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318821 (v9)
GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K40
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Acceptable battery life for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset and slow performance
- Limited camera capabilities
- No 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Slightly higher price point
- May still exhibit some performance limitations with demanding games
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a brighter display, measured at 508 nits, compared to the LG K40 (brightness unspecified). Both displays share a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar dynamic range. However, the A23 5G’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The K40’s display technology is likely a standard IPS LCD, while the A23 5G’s panel benefits from Samsung’s color science and potentially better viewing angles. The lack of information on the K40’s display refresh rate suggests it’s limited to 60Hz, while the A23 5G is also likely 60Hz, but the brighter panel is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The A23 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which generally prioritize vibrant colors and detail. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown for both devices, the A23 5G’s more modern ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 695 will provide superior noise reduction and dynamic range. The LG K40’s camera is likely to struggle in low-light conditions compared to the A23 5G. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on the A23 5G is a common inclusion in this price range, but its utility is limited by the low resolution.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a far more advanced chipset than the LG K40’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695 utilizes a combination of Kryo 660 Gold (2x2.2 GHz) and Silver (6x1.7 GHz) cores, offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the K40’s all-Cortex-A53 setup running at 2.0 GHz. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the A23 5G.
Battery Life
Both the LG K40 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the A23 5G’s 25W wired charging capability is a significant advantage over the K40’s likely slower charging speed (specifications unavailable). This means the A23 5G can be topped up much faster, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the more efficient Snapdragon 695 in the A23 5G likely contributes to similar endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K40 if you need a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, a brighter display, and a more versatile camera experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G a good choice for mobile gaming?
While the Snapdragon 695 is capable, the A23 5G isn't a dedicated gaming phone. It can handle most casual games without issue, but demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. The Helio P22 in the K40 will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G compared to 4G on the LG K40?
5G speeds on the A23 5G can be significantly faster than 4G on the K40, potentially offering download speeds several times higher. However, actual 5G speeds depend on network availability and coverage in your area. The K40 is limited to 4G speeds, which are slower and can become congested during peak hours.
❓ Does the LG K40 receive software updates?
Given its age, the LG K40 is unlikely to receive further major software updates or security patches. This poses a security risk and means you'll miss out on new features and improvements. The A23 5G will receive updates for a longer period.
