The LG K51S and the alcatel 3L (2021) represent the lower end of the Android smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. While both offer basic functionality, a closer look at their core components – specifically the Mediatek Helio P35 in the K51S and the Helio P22 in the 3L – reveals a performance gap that impacts everyday usability. This comparison will dissect those differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the LG K51S emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, with higher CPU clock speeds, provides a noticeably smoother experience for multitasking and app loading compared to the alcatel 3L’s Helio P22. While neither phone excels, the K51S offers a more responsive user experience for a minimal price difference.
| 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 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 18. Released 2020, April 27 | 2021, January 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 165.6 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.52 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) | 194 g (6.84 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 (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (only single sim model) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 32 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAorWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium, Pink, Blue, Red | Jewelry Blue, Jewelry Black |
| Models | LMK510EMW, LM-K510EMW, LM-K510 | 6056D |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 330 EUR |
LG K51S
- More powerful Helio P35 chipset
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Slightly better CPU performance
- Limited information on display quality
- Camera performance likely similar to alcatel 3L
alcatel 3L (2021)
- Lower price point (likely)
- 10W charging included
- Potentially longer battery life in light use
- Slower Helio P22 chipset
- Noticeably slower app loading times
- Less responsive user interface
Display Comparison
Neither LG nor Alcatel provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price point, it’s safe to assume both utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The focus here isn’t display quality, but rather the impact of the chipset on rendering UI elements smoothly. A faster processor, like the P35, will contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, even on a similar panel.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are scarce for both devices. However, given the market segment, expectations should be tempered. Both likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors (the usefulness of the latter is questionable). The K51S *may* have a slight edge if it utilizes a marginally larger sensor or a more efficient image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Helio P35, but this is speculative. Image processing quality will likely be similar, prioritizing speed over detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG K51S boasts the Mediatek Helio P35, featuring an octa-core CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz (4x Cortex-A53 at 2.3 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.8 GHz). The alcatel 3L (2021) uses the Helio P22, with an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz (4x Cortex-A53 at 1.8 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.5 GHz). This difference in peak clock speed, while not massive, translates to a measurable performance advantage for the K51S in CPU-bound tasks. The P35’s slightly more powerful cores will handle app launches and multitasking more efficiently. Both utilize the same 12nm process, so thermal efficiency is comparable.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, the alcatel 3L (2021) includes 10W wired charging, while the K51S’s charging speed is unknown but likely similar. Given the lower processing demands, the alcatel 3L might achieve slightly longer battery life in light usage scenarios. However, the K51S’s more efficient chipset could offset this difference with moderate use, as it won’t be working as hard.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K51S if you need a slightly more responsive phone for basic tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing. The Helio P35 offers a tangible performance advantage over the alcatel 3L. Buy the alcatel 3L (2021) if your primary concern is absolute cost and you only intend to use the phone for the most basic functions – calls, texts, and minimal app usage – and are willing to accept slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG K51S handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag?
Yes, the Helio P35 in the LG K51S is sufficient to run most social media apps smoothly. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, you should expect acceptable performance for browsing feeds, posting updates, and viewing photos and videos. The alcatel 3L may exhibit more noticeable lag, especially when multitasking between apps.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed between the Helio P35 and Helio P22 really noticeable in everyday use?
While the difference of 0.5 GHz may seem small, it contributes to a more responsive user experience, particularly when launching apps and switching between them. The Helio P35’s higher clock speed allows it to process tasks more quickly, resulting in less waiting time. This difference is most apparent when comparing the two devices side-by-side.
❓ Can either of these phones play modern mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones will struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. While they *may* be able to run them at the lowest graphics settings, expect significant frame rate drops and lag. These phones are not designed for gaming.
