Looking for an affordable smartphone? The LG K42 and the older LG K4 (2017) both offer budget-friendly options, but they differ significantly in features and performance. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG K42 is the clear winner, offering a vastly superior chipset, display, and camera compared to the aging LG K4 (2017). While the K4 might appeal to those needing a basic, ultra-budget device, the K42 provides a much better overall experience for the 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, 20 |
| 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 | 2016, December. Released 2017, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 144.7 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm (5.70 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~195 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 69.6 cm2 (~66.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 8GB/ 16GB (AT&T, Cricket), 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| 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 | - | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.7 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Black, Titan |
| Models | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y | M160, M153, M151 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 100 EUR |
LG K42
- Larger, higher-resolution display
- Significantly faster processor
- Better camera system
- Longer battery life
- Modern features
- 10W charging is slow
- Plastic build quality
LG K4 (2017)
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size
- Very slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Short battery life
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
The LG K42 boasts a larger 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to the LG K4's 5.0-inch display. The K42's higher resolution also results in sharper visuals. While both use IPS panels, the K42's size and resolution give it a noticeable advantage.
Camera Comparison
The LG K42 features a triple-camera system (typically 13MP main, ultrawide, and depth sensor) offering far greater versatility and image quality than the LG K4's single 8MP camera. The K42's camera also benefits from modern image processing algorithms.
Performance
The chipset difference is massive. The LG K42's Mediatek Helio P22 provides significantly better performance than the LG K4's Snapdragon 210. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the K42. The K4 struggles with even basic tasks.
Battery Life
While both phones offer decent battery life, the LG K42's larger battery capacity (typically 5000mAh) and more efficient chipset generally provide longer usage times than the LG K4's smaller battery (typically 2500mAh).
Buying Guide
The LG K42 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, modern smartphone with a decent camera and battery life for everyday tasks. The LG K4 (2017) is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a phone for basic calling and texting, and are not concerned with performance or features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG K42 worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the LG K42 still offers good value for its price, providing a decent display, performance, and camera for everyday use. However, newer budget options might offer better specs.
❓ Can the LG K4 (2017) handle social media apps?
It can, but performance will be slow and laggy. Expect frequent crashes and a frustrating user experience.
