Remember the era of ultra-budget smartphones? The LG L20 and LG Optimus L2 II E435 represent that time. Both aimed to offer basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price. But which one held up slightly better? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Optimus L2 II E435 edges out the LG L20. While both are incredibly basic, the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset in the Optimus L2 II provides a noticeable performance boost, making it slightly more responsive for everyday tasks. Both are relics of the past, but the Optimus L2 II is the marginally better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, July. Released 2014, July | 2013, October. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 105.6 x 64.5 x 13 mm (4.16 x 2.54 x 0.51 in) | 102 x 61 x 12 mm (4.02 x 2.40 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 110 g (3.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~125 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~40.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 31.7 cm2 (~51.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 4GB (1.8GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 700 h (2G) / Up to 700 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1540 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1540 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 70 EUR |
LG L20
- Potentially slightly larger screen
- Very affordable (when new)
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Outdated software
LG Optimus L2 II E435
- Slightly better performance (Snapdragon chipset)
- More modern design (slightly)
- Still very affordable (when new)
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Outdated software
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature small, low-resolution displays, typical for their time. The LG L20 likely has a slightly larger screen, but the difference is minimal and both offer poor viewing angles and color reproduction. Expect washed-out colors and low brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is extremely limited. Both likely feature 2-3MP cameras capable of capturing basic, low-resolution photos in good lighting conditions. Don't expect anything impressive from either.
Performance
This is where the Optimus L2 II pulls ahead. The Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset, while still basic, generally outperforms the Mediatek MT6572M. Expect slightly faster app loading times and smoother navigation on the Optimus L2 II. The L20 will feel sluggish.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely similar on both devices, around 1500-1700mAh. Expect a day of very light use on either phone. Heavy usage will require frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The LG L20 is for someone who absolutely needs the bare minimum smartphone functionality and is on an extremely tight budget. The LG Optimus L2 II E435 is for someone who wants slightly better performance and a more modern (though still basic) experience within a similar budget. Neither is recommended for modern use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Generally no. These phones are very outdated and lack modern features. They are only suitable for very specific use cases where a basic phone is needed and cost is the absolute primary concern.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both phones ran Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) or later updates. However, they are no longer receiving security updates.