Looking for an affordable smartphone? The LG K42 and LG G4 Beat are both contenders in the budget market, but which one offers the best value? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG K42 boasts a newer chipset and potentially better battery life, while the LG G4 Beat offers a more refined design and a slightly faster CPU configuration. Ultimately, the K42 is the better choice for most users due to its modern specs, but the G4 Beat remains a viable option if found at a significantly lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 |
| Speed | Yes, 384 kbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 21 | 2015, July. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 142.7 x 72.6 x 9.9 mm (5.62 x 2.86 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP
13 MP, AF (Latin America) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Metallic Gray, Ceramic White, Shiny Gold |
| Models | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y | H735, H736 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
LG K42
- Newer Chipset (Helio P22)
- Larger Display
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Likely More Versatile Camera System
- Potentially Lower Screen Resolution
- 10W Charging is Slow
- Design may be less premium
LG G4 Beat
- Compact Size (Good for One-Handed Use)
- Slightly Faster CPU Configuration
- Potentially Better Build Quality
- More Premium Design
- Older Chipset (Snapdragon 615)
- Smaller Battery
- Limited Camera Options
- May be harder to find
Display Comparison
The LG K42 features a larger 6.5-inch display, likely with a lower resolution than the G4 Beat's 5.2-inch screen. While the K42 offers more screen real estate, the G4 Beat's smaller size might be preferable for one-handed use. Expect the G4 Beat to have slightly better pixel density.
Camera Comparison
The LG K42 likely has a more versatile camera system with multiple lenses (likely including ultrawide), while the LG G4 Beat has a single, but potentially higher-quality, main camera. Image quality will depend on sensor size and software processing. Expect the K42 to offer more shooting options.
Performance
The LG K42's Mediatek Helio P22 chipset is a newer design, built on a 12nm process, potentially offering better power efficiency. However, the LG G4 Beat's Snapdragon 615 has a slightly more complex CPU configuration (4x1.5 GHz + 4x1.0 GHz), which *could* translate to slightly faster performance in certain tasks. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
The LG K42 likely has a larger battery capacity than the LG G4 Beat. Coupled with the Helio P22's efficiency, this suggests the K42 will offer longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The LG K42 is ideal for users prioritizing a modern chipset, larger display, and potentially longer battery life. The LG G4 Beat is a good fit for those seeking a compact, well-built phone with a slightly faster CPU and a more premium feel, especially if budget is a primary concern and it's available at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG K42 worth buying in 2024?
The LG K42 offers decent value for its price, especially if you prioritize a larger screen and modern chipset. However, consider newer budget options if available.
❓ Can the LG G4 Beat still handle everyday tasks?
Yes, the LG G4 Beat can still handle basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps or games.
