The LG K52 and LG Stylo 6 represent LG’s approach to the budget smartphone market. Both devices launched around the same time and, critically, share the same Mediatek Helio P35 chipset. This comparison isn’t about raw power – it’s about identifying the nuances in design, features, and potential user experience that differentiate these nearly identical phones.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the LG Stylo 6 is the slightly better choice. While both phones offer the same core performance due to the Helio P35, the Stylo 6’s inclusion of a stylus adds a unique functionality that justifies a small price premium, assuming it's available at a comparable cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 66 - International | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 23. Released 2020, November 23 | 2020, May 20. Released 2020, May 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 171.2 x 77.7 x 8.6 mm (6.74 x 3.06 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 219 g (7.72 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.5% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 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 lens | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 13 MP, 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 |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n or Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue, Red | White |
| Models | LMK520, LM-K520, LMK520E, LM-K520E, LMK520Y, LM-K520Y, LMK520H, LM-K520H | LMQ730TM, LM-Q730TM |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 200 EUR |
LG K52
- Potentially lower price point
- Minimalist design aesthetic
- Identical performance to Stylo 6
- Lacks the stylus functionality of the Stylo 6
- May have less appealing software features
LG Stylo 6
- Integrated stylus for enhanced productivity
- Potentially more software features tailored to stylus use
- Identical performance to K52
- May be slightly more expensive than the K52
- Stylus may not be appealing to all users
Display Comparison
Both the LG K52 and Stylo 6 feature displays that are adequate for their price range, but details beyond resolution (likely HD+) are scarce. Given the shared target market, we can assume similar panel technology – likely IPS LCD. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. The user experience will likely be similar, with color accuracy and brightness being the key differentiators, though specific nit values are unavailable. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing to enhance image quality. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but details beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which offers limited utility) are missing. Sensor size and aperture are critical factors, but unavailable. Image processing style will likely be similar, aiming for vibrant colors and acceptable dynamic range. The lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests that low-light performance will be a weakness on both devices.
Performance
The heart of both devices is the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, a 12nm chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). 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 will handle basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications or heavy multitasking. RAM configurations, if differing, would be the only potential performance variable, but this data is unavailable.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is a crucial factor for budget smartphones. While specific mAh values are not provided, the Helio P35’s efficiency suggests reasonable battery life on both devices. Charging wattage is also unknown, but likely falls in the 10-15W range. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The absence of fast charging technology means 0-100% charge times will likely exceed two hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K52 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic. It’s a solid choice for users who need basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light app usage. Buy the LG Stylo 6 if you value the added versatility of a stylus for note-taking, sketching, or precise navigation. This phone caters to users who want a bit more creative control and productivity on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio P35 is an entry-level chipset. While you might be able to run these games at the lowest settings, expect significant frame rate drops and potential lag, especially during intense action sequences. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited benefit. The low resolution results in images that lack detail and sharpness. While they can capture a close-up perspective, the image quality is often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom.
❓ Does either phone support software updates beyond the initial Android version it shipped with?
Given LG's exit from the smartphone market, long-term software support for both the K52 and Stylo 6 is highly unlikely. Expect limited or no updates beyond the initial Android version and security patches.
