The LG K50S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro represent a fascinating intersection in the budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value in 2024, considering their original release context and current availability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a slightly more refined experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the LG K50S’s MediaTek Helio P22, making it more capable for multitasking and gaming, despite both phones offering similar battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2018, September. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 77.5 x 8.2 mm (6.53 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) | 157.9 x 76.4 x 8.3 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
2 MP, f/2.2, 1.75µm, depth sensor |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | - |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | Black, Blue, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | LMX540HM, LM-X540, LM-X540BMW, LMX540BMW | M1806E7TG, M1806E7TH, M1806E7TI |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.7dB / Crosstalk -93.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1532:1 (nominal), 2.966 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 115605 (v7)
GeekBench: 4933 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K50S
- Potentially lower price point (depending on current market)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less capable camera system
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 636 processor
- Better camera image processing
- Smoother user experience
- May be slightly more expensive
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Software support may be limited
Display Comparison
Both the LG K50S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro share a similar display contrast ratio of 1532:1 (nominal) and 2.966 (sunlight), suggesting comparable visibility in bright conditions. However, detailed panel specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable for the K50S. The Redmi Note 6 Pro’s display, while not exceptional, benefits from Qualcomm’s image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more accurate color reproduction. Bezels are likely similar given the price point, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are limited. The Redmi Note 6 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers superior image quality and faster processing speeds compared to MediaTek’s ISP found in the K50S. While both may include multiple rear cameras, the Redmi Note 6 Pro’s image processing algorithms are expected to produce more detailed and vibrant photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated ISP in the Snapdragon 636 is a key advantage, even if sensor sizes are comparable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (14nm) is a significantly more powerful processor than the LG K50S’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 636 utilizes a Kryo 260 architecture with a combination of performance (1.8 GHz) and efficiency (1.6 GHz) cores, offering a more balanced and responsive experience. The Helio P22, with its all-Cortex-A53 core design at 2.0 GHz, is geared towards efficiency but struggles with more demanding tasks. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 6 Pro. The 14nm process node of the Snapdragon 636, while older, is optimized for power efficiency, potentially mitigating any significant battery life difference despite the more powerful processor.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the LG K50S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro boast an endurance rating of 92 hours. This suggests similar real-world battery life despite the differing chipsets. However, the Redmi Note 6 Pro supports 10W wired charging, while charging speed information for the K50S is unavailable. The Snapdragon 636’s power efficiency, combined with software optimizations, likely contributes to the comparable battery performance, even while delivering more processing power. The 10W charging on the Redmi Note 6 Pro provides a predictable recharge time, while the K50S’s charging speed remains a question mark.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K50S if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro if you prefer a phone that can handle more demanding applications, offers a smoother user experience, and provides a more capable camera system for everyday photography. The Redmi Note 6 Pro is the better option for users who anticipate using their phone for more than just basic communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro still a good option in 2024, considering its age?
Despite being an older device, the Redmi Note 6 Pro remains a viable option for users on a very tight budget who need a phone capable of handling basic tasks and some light gaming. Its Snapdragon 636 processor still offers a respectable level of performance, and the camera is adequate for everyday photography. However, software updates are likely limited.
❓ Will the LG K50S struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The LG K50S’s MediaTek Helio P22 processor may exhibit noticeable lag and slowdown when running demanding apps like Facebook or WhatsApp, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. It's best suited for light usage and less resource-intensive applications.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 6 Pro support fast charging beyond the 10W standard?
No, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro officially supports only 10W wired charging. While some users may have experimented with third-party chargers claiming faster speeds, the phone's hardware and software are optimized for 10W charging.
