The LG K42 represents a budget-friendly entry point into the LG smartphone ecosystem, while the LG Velvet 5G aimed for a more premium experience with 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, helping you determine if the Velvet 5G’s advanced features justify the price premium over the K42’s affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG Velvet 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset delivers significantly faster performance, 5G connectivity future-proofs the device, and 25W fast charging drastically reduces downtime. While the K42 offers a lower price, the Velvet 5G provides a much more compelling overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | Yes, 384 kbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2Gbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 21 | 2020, May 07. Released 2020, May 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
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 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, LG UX |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, QC4
9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Aurora White, Aurora Green, Aurora Gray, Illusion Sunset, Red, Pink |
| Models | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y | LM-G900N, LM-G900EM, LM-G900, LM-G900TM |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 297372 (v8)
GeekBench: 1905 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K42
- Significantly lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Weak processor performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Lower quality display
LG Velvet 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
- 25W fast charging with wireless charging support
- Higher price compared to the K42
- May be more expensive to repair
- Potentially larger size and weight
Display Comparison
The LG Velvet 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 617 nits measured, compared to an unspecified brightness for the K42. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a common marketing term), the Velvet’s superior panel likely offers more vibrant colors and deeper blacks. The K42’s display specifications are minimal, suggesting a lower-quality panel geared towards cost savings.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are lacking for both. However, given the Velvet 5G’s positioning, it likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing. The K42 likely utilizes a more basic camera setup focused on affordability. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the Velvet 5G’s chipset provides the processing power needed for features like HDR and improved low-light performance.
Performance
The performance disparity is substantial. The LG Velvet 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a far more capable chipset than the K42’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The 765G features an octa-core CPU with Kryo cores designed for performance and efficiency, while the P22 relies on less efficient Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Velvet 5G. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 79 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Velvet 5G’s more powerful components. This is likely due to optimizations in the Velvet 5G’s software and the efficiency of the Snapdragon 765G. However, the charging capabilities are vastly different. The Velvet 5G supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 standards, along with 9W wireless charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups. The K42 is limited to 10W wired charging, resulting in a much slower charging experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K42 if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light social media use. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the LG Velvet 5G if you value performance, 5G connectivity, faster charging, and a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who stream video, play mobile games, or rely on their phone for productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Velvet 5G’s 5G connectivity worth the extra cost if I don’t have 5G coverage in my area?
While 5G coverage is still expanding, the Velvet 5G will still function on 4G LTE networks. However, the 5G modem future-proofs the device, ensuring you can take advantage of faster speeds when 5G becomes available in your area. The Snapdragon 765G also offers improved 4G performance compared to the Helio P22 in the K42.
❓ Will the LG K42 struggle with demanding apps like popular mobile games?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P22 in the K42 is a low-end processor. While it can handle basic tasks, it will likely struggle with graphically intensive games, resulting in low frame rates and potential lag. The LG Velvet 5G’s Snapdragon 765G is much better suited for gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the LG Velvet 5G from 0%?
With the 25W charger, the LG Velvet 5G can be fully charged from 0% in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The K42, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer – likely over 3 hours.
