LG K52 vs. LG K62: Which Budget LG Phone is Right for You?

The LG K52 and K62 represent LG's attempts to deliver affordable smartphones with a focus on essential features. Both devices launched within a similar timeframe and price bracket, targeting users seeking a reliable experience without breaking the bank. However, with identical core chipsets, the differences lie in nuanced design choices and potential software tuning, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the LG K62 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share the same Mediatek Helio P35 processor, the K62 often benefits from minor software optimizations and potentially a slightly more refined user experience, making it a marginally better all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names LG K52 LG K62
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 66 - North America
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40 - Brazil
Launch
Announced2020, September 23. Released 2020, November 232020, September 23. Released 2020, November 27
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
 MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsMIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm28 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n or Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, Blue, RedWhite, Sky Blue, Red
ModelsLMK520, LM-K520, LMK520E, LM-K520E, LMK520Y, LM-K520Y, LMK520H, LM-K520HLMK525H, LMK525, LM-K525H, LM-K525
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 290 EUR

LG K52

  • Potentially lower price due to earlier release.
  • Identical core performance to the K62.
  • Reliable Mediatek Helio P35 chipset for basic tasks.

  • May receive fewer software updates.
  • Potentially less refined software experience.

LG K62

  • Potentially more optimized software.
  • Slightly newer model, potentially better component sourcing.
  • Identical core performance to the K52.

  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • Similar limitations in demanding tasks.

Display Comparison

Both the LG K52 and K62 feature displays that prioritize size over resolution, aiming for a comfortable viewing experience for media consumption. While specific nit brightness figures aren't provided, both likely fall within the 400-500 nit range typical for this price segment. The panel technology is likely IPS LCD on both, offering decent color reproduction but lacking the contrast of OLED displays. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial, consistent with budget designs. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either device, geared towards general use rather than color-critical work.

Camera Comparison

Both the K52 and K62 likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the specifics beyond the main sensor are often filled with low-resolution auxiliary lenses. Without detailed sensor size information, it's difficult to definitively say which camera performs better. However, the aperture of the main lens is a critical factor; a wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Image processing style is also key – LG’s software processing could differ between the two models, impacting color accuracy and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size.

Performance

The core of both devices is the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, a 12nm chipset featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical in CPU-bound tasks. The GPU performance will also be the same. The real-world impact is that both phones are suitable for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage, but will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking. Thermal management will be similar, with both likely throttling under sustained load. RAM configurations, if differing, would be the primary factor influencing multitasking capabilities, but this information is not provided.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is a crucial factor for budget smartphones. While specific mAh ratings aren't provided, both devices likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. Charging wattage is also a key consideration. Faster charging (e.g., 18W vs. 10W) significantly reduces the time to fully charge the device. Without this information, it's difficult to assess which phone offers a better battery experience. However, given the power-efficient Helio P35 chipset, both phones should be capable of lasting a full day with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG K52 if you prioritize a potentially more readily available device, as it was released slightly earlier and may be found at deeper discounts. Buy the LG K62 if you prefer a potentially more polished software experience and are willing to pay a small premium, as it represents a slightly later iteration in LG’s budget lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P35 in either phone struggle with popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio P35 is an entry-level chipset. While you can likely run PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, you'll need to use the lowest graphics settings and may still experience frame drops and lag, especially during intense firefights. These phones are not designed for serious mobile gaming.
❓ Are software updates still being provided for the LG K52 and K62, considering LG has exited the smartphone market?
LG has officially exited the smartphone market, meaning dedicated software updates are unlikely. However, security patches may still be sporadically released by carriers or third-party developers. Don't expect major Android version upgrades on either device.
❓ How does the camera perform in low-light conditions on these phones?
Low-light camera performance will be limited on both the K52 and K62. The Helio P35's image signal processor isn't optimized for challenging lighting scenarios. Expect noisy images with limited detail. Using the night mode, if available, can help improve brightness but will likely introduce further noise.