The LG K51S and Motorola G Pure represent the lower end of the Android smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. While both aim to deliver essential functionality, they differ significantly in their underlying hardware, particularly in their Mediatek chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG K51S edges out the Motorola G Pure. While the G Pure benefits from slightly newer silicon, the K51S’s Helio P35, with its higher peak CPU clock speeds, provides a more responsive experience in everyday tasks. The G Pure’s 10W charging is a significant drawback in a market increasingly adopting faster charging standards.
| 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, 28, 38 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 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, October 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium, Pink, Blue, Red | Deep Indigo |
| Models | LMK510EMW, LM-K510EMW, LM-K510 | XT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | $ 63.99 / C$ 123.00 |
LG K51S
- Potentially faster CPU performance due to higher clock speeds.
- Likely faster charging than the Motorola G Pure.
- May offer a slightly more responsive user experience.
- Older chipset compared to the G Pure.
- Camera performance likely similar to the G Pure – limited in low light.
Motorola G Pure
- Slightly newer chipset (Helio G25).
- Potentially better GPU performance for very light gaming.
- May offer slightly better battery optimization.
- Significantly slower 10W charging.
- Lower CPU clock speeds may result in a less responsive experience.
Display Comparison
Neither LG nor Motorola provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of higher refresh rates or advanced features like HDR is expected. The real-world difference in display quality will likely be minimal, focusing on color calibration and viewing angles, which are difficult to assess without direct comparison. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Detailed sensor information is scarce, but both likely feature a primary camera paired with basic depth or macro sensors. The image processing capabilities of Mediatek’s Helio series are not known for their sophistication. Expect adequate results in good lighting conditions, but significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device further limits low-light performance. Focusing on the primary sensor megapixel count is misleading; sensor size and image processing are far more critical.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG K51S features the Mediatek Helio P35, an octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. The Motorola G Pure utilizes the Helio G25, also octa-core, but with a lower peak clock speed of 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz. While both use Cortex-A53 cores, the P35’s higher clock speeds translate to faster processing for tasks like app loading and web browsing. The G25’s GPU is likely marginally better for basic gaming, but the CPU difference will be more noticeable in general use. Both phones will struggle with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. However, the Motorola G Pure is limited to 10W wired charging, a significant disadvantage compared to the charging speeds becoming standard even in budget phones. The LG K51S’s charging speed is not officially stated, but it is likely to be higher than 10W, resulting in faster top-up times. Users prioritizing minimal downtime will find the K51S more appealing.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K51S if you prioritize a slightly smoother user experience for basic tasks like browsing and social media, and if you value a potentially more responsive interface. Buy the Motorola G Pure if battery life is paramount and you primarily use your phone for very light tasks, and if you are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Both phones are best suited for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola G Pure struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Helio G25 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, expect occasional lag or slowdowns, especially with multiple apps open. The lower CPU clock speeds compared to the K51S’s Helio P35 mean the G Pure will take longer to load these apps and may exhibit less responsiveness during use.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Motorola G Pure a dealbreaker?
For users who frequently need to top up their phone throughout the day, the 10W charging on the Motorola G Pure is a significant limitation. It will take considerably longer to charge from 0% to 100% compared to phones with 15W or higher charging capabilities. The LG K51S likely offers faster charging, making it a better choice for those prioritizing convenience.
❓ Can either of these phones handle mobile gaming beyond casual titles?
Neither the LG K51S nor the Motorola G Pure are designed for serious mobile gaming. While they can run less demanding games, expect low frame rates and graphical settings. The Helio G25 in the G Pure offers a slight GPU advantage, but both phones will struggle with graphically intensive titles like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile.
