The LG K71 and Nokia 7.2 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The K71 relies on MediaTek’s Helio P35, while the Nokia 7.2 leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best balance of features and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smoother performance and a more responsive experience, the Nokia 7.2 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset, built on a smaller 14nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the LG K71’s Helio P35, despite both phones sharing an identical 69-hour endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 21 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.4 x 77.7 x 8.7 mm (6.75 x 3.06 x 0.34 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | LMQ730HA, LM-Q730HA | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | - | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG K71
- Potentially lower price point
- Larger display size (assumed)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially lower display quality
- Slower app loading times
Nokia 7.2
- More powerful Snapdragon 660 processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially higher price
- May not have a significantly larger battery capacity
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits and a 1342:1 contrast ratio, providing a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the LG K71’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of the Nokia 7.2’s measured performance. The contrast ratio is identical on paper, but the Nokia 7.2’s actual measured brightness is a significant advantage. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, but the Nokia 7.2’s superior brightness translates to a better viewing experience in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 660 generally provides superior image processing capabilities compared to MediaTek’s ISP in the Helio P35. This often results in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality on the Nokia 7.2. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Nokia 7.2, if equipped, would further enhance its camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia 7.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) features Kryo 260 cores, offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the LG K71’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz provide a performance edge over the K71’s 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 14nm process node of the Snapdragon 660 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface on the Nokia 7.2.
Battery Life
Both the LG K71 and Nokia 7.2 achieve an endurance rating of 69 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Snapdragon 660’s greater efficiency could translate to slightly longer real-world usage on the Nokia 7.2, despite both having similar battery capacities (not specified). The LG K71 supports standard 10W charging, while the Nokia 7.2 also supports 10W wired charging. Neither device offers fast charging capabilities, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K71 if you prioritize a larger screen and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point makes it an attractive option for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you value a more fluid user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a slightly more refined camera system. The Snapdragon 660 offers a tangible performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia 7.2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P35 in the LG K71 will struggle with consistent performance in demanding titles, requiring significantly lower graphics settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 660 and Helio P35 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the Snapdragon 660 offers a more responsive and fluid experience for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and app switching. The Helio P35 can feel sluggish at times, especially when multitasking or opening multiple apps.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
With both phones supporting only 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours from 0%. Neither device offers fast charging capabilities.
❓ Does the Nokia 7.2 have any software advantages over the LG K71?
The Nokia 7.2 benefits from being part of the Android One program, guaranteeing timely software updates and a clean, bloatware-free Android experience. LG’s software experience is often more customized and may include pre-installed apps.
