Looking for an affordable smartphone that delivers on the basics? The LG K42 and LG X Power 3 are both contenders in the budget phone arena, offering decent features at attractive price points. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG K42 offers a slightly more powerful processor and potentially a better display, but the LG X Power 3 shines with its significantly larger battery and faster charging. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities: performance or battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 - Europe | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 66 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| 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 | 2018, July. Released 2018, July 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 154.7 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.09 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 171 g (6.03 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) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| 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 | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML (Opera Mini) |
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired, 50% in 60 min |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 600 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Moroccan Blue |
| Models | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y | LMX510WM, LM-X510WM |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.22 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
LG K42
- More powerful processor
- Potentially better display
- Versatile camera system
- Modern design
- Slower charging
- Smaller battery compared to X Power 3
- May lack some durability features
LG X power 3
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster charging
- Compact and pocketable
- Durable build (often with a textured back)
- Less powerful processor
- Lower resolution display
- Basic camera system
- Older design
Display Comparison
The LG K42 likely features a larger display (around 6.5 inches) with a higher resolution (likely 720+ HD) compared to the LG X Power 3's 5.45-inch display. While both use IPS panels, the K42's newer chipset might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness. However, the X Power 3's smaller size makes it more pocketable and easier to handle.
Camera Comparison
The LG K42 generally boasts a more versatile camera system, often including a main lens, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the K42's newer image processing capabilities likely result in better image quality, especially in low light. The X Power 3's camera is functional but lacks the features and image quality of the K42.
Performance
The K42's Mediatek Helio P22 chipset and Octa-core CPU provide a noticeable performance boost over the X Power 3's Snapdragon 425 and Quad-core CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the K42. The X Power 3 is adequate for basic tasks but may struggle with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
This is where the LG X Power 3 truly excels. Its significantly larger battery (typically 4500mAh vs. K42's 4000mAh) provides exceptional battery life. The X Power 3 also offers faster charging (50% in 60 minutes) compared to the K42's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The LG K42 is ideal for users who prioritize a smoother experience for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. The LG X Power 3 is perfect for those who need a phone that can last all day (and then some) on a single charge, even with heavy usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The LG K42 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor and potentially better graphics capabilities.
❓ How long will the LG X Power 3's battery last?
The LG X Power 3's battery can easily last a full day, even with heavy usage, thanks to its large capacity.
❓ Is the LG K42 worth the extra cost?
If you value performance and a better camera, the LG K42 is likely worth the extra cost. However, if battery life is your top priority, the X Power 3 remains a compelling option.
