Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The LG K42 and Sony Xperia E4g are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG K42 boasts a newer chipset and likely a more modern software experience. However, the Xperia E4g's legendary battery life and impressive sunlight display contrast give it a unique edge. Ultimately, the K42 offers better performance, while the E4g prioritizes endurance.
| 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 - E2003 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2003 |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - E2053 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 21 | 2015, February. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 133 x 71 x 10.8 mm (5.24 x 2.80 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~64.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | MediaTek MT6732 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T760MP2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | - | 5 MP, f/2.8, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 2 MP, f/2.8 |
| 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 |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (E2003 only) |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 64 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 696 h (2G) / Up to 653 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Black, White |
| Models | LMK420, LM-K420, LMK420H, LM-K420H, LMK420E, LM-K420E, LMK420Y, LM-K420Y | E2003, E2006, E2053 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -88.1dB / Crosstalk -85.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 47h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 969 (nominal), 1.972(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 57dB / Ring 65dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 621Basemark X: 3265 |
LG K42
- Newer Chipset
- Better Performance
- Likely Higher Resolution Display
- More Modern Software
- Shorter Battery Life
- Slower Charging
- Camera Specs Unknown
Sony Xperia E4g
- Exceptional Battery Life (47h Endurance)
- Excellent Sunlight Display Contrast
- Durable Build Quality (typical of Sony)
- Older Chipset
- Lower Performance
- Likely Lower Resolution Display
- Basic Camera
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a remarkable contrast ratio of 969 (nominal) and 1.972 in sunlight, suggesting excellent visibility outdoors. However, the LG K42 likely has a higher resolution display, offering sharper visuals. The Xperia E4g's display, while impressive in contrast, might be smaller and have lower resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed for either device, but both are listed as 'Photo / Video'. Given the newer chipset, the LG K42 likely has a more capable camera system, potentially offering better image processing and features. The Xperia E4g's camera, while functional, is likely to be more basic.
Performance
The LG K42's Mediatek Helio P22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, is significantly newer and more efficient than the Xperia E4g's MT6732 (28nm). This translates to noticeably better performance in everyday tasks, app loading times, and overall responsiveness. The K42's octa-core CPU also provides a performance advantage over the E4g's quad-core.
Battery Life
The Xperia E4g shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 47 hours is exceptional, far surpassing what most budget phones offer. The LG K42's battery life is likely decent, but not in the same league as the E4g's legendary endurance. The 10W wired charging on the K42 is also slower than what some competitors offer.
Buying Guide
The LG K42 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a more current Android experience. The Sony Xperia E4g is perfect for those who need exceptional battery life and value a bright, readable display, even in direct sunlight, and are less concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG K42 worth buying in 2024?
If you need a phone that can handle everyday tasks smoothly and want a more modern Android experience, the LG K42 is a decent option. However, consider newer budget alternatives with better specs.
❓ How long does the Sony Xperia E4g's battery last?
The Xperia E4g is known for its exceptional battery life, with an endurance rating of 47 hours. This means it can easily last a day and a half, or even two days, with moderate usage.
