The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The LG K51S, with its MediaTek Helio P35, and the OnePlus Nord N100, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, represent two distinct approaches to delivering affordable mobile experiences. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord N100 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the LG K51S’s Helio P35, despite both utilizing Cortex-A53 cores. The 18W charging is also a significant benefit.
| 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, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 18. Released 2020, April 27 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-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 | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| 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 | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium, Pink, Blue, Red | Midnight Frost |
| Models | LMK510EMW, LM-K510EMW, LM-K510 | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
LG K51S
- Potentially lower price point
- May have a slightly larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Inferior chipset performance
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Less future-proof
OnePlus Nord N100
- More powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Better thermal management
- Slightly higher price
- 720p+ display resolution
- Basic camera system
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The K51S’s display specifications are unavailable, but given its market positioning, it’s unlikely to exceed 720p resolution. The Nord N100’s display is also 720p+, but the Snapdragon 460’s slightly more capable GPU may contribute to smoother scrolling. Neither phone is expected to deliver exceptional color accuracy or brightness, making them best suited for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones featuring basic camera setups. Details on the K51S’s camera are scarce, but it’s reasonable to assume a primary sensor around 13MP. The Nord N100’s camera specifications are also modest. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, and both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the LG K51S’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). While both employ octa-core configurations with Cortex-A53 cores, the Snapdragon 460 benefits from a smaller fabrication process, leading to improved power efficiency and thermal management. This translates to less throttling under sustained load. The N100’s Kryo 240 cores, while still based on the A53 architecture, are optimized by Qualcomm. The K51S’s CPU clock speeds (2.3GHz & 1.8GHz) are slightly higher on paper, but the Snapdragon 460’s overall architecture provides a more consistent and responsive experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the LG K51S, but given its size and positioning, it’s likely around 4000mAh. The OnePlus Nord N100 has a 5000mAh battery. However, the Snapdragon 460’s improved power efficiency partially offsets the K51S’s potentially larger capacity. Crucially, the Nord N100 supports 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the K51S’s likely 10W or slower charging. This means the N100 can be topped up much more quickly, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K51S if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and are heavily constrained by budget. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prefer a smoother user experience, occasional gaming, and faster charging, even if it means spending slightly more. The N100 is the better option for anyone planning to use their phone beyond the most basic functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the Helio P35 for gaming.
❓ Is the OnePlus Nord N100 likely to receive software updates?
OnePlus has a better track record for software updates than LG, particularly for budget devices. While major Android version updates aren't guaranteed, the Nord N100 is more likely to receive security patches and minor updates than the LG K51S.
❓ How much does the difference in chipset fabrication (12nm vs 11nm) actually matter in real-world usage?
The smaller 11nm process of the Snapdragon 460 results in improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation. This translates to longer battery life and less performance throttling during demanding tasks, providing a smoother overall experience.
❓ Is the LG K51S a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the LG K51S is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks. If your needs are limited to calls, texts, and light browsing, it's a functional and affordable option. However, the Nord N100 offers a more refined experience even for these basic tasks.
