Reliving the golden age of smartphones? The LG Leon and Apple iPhone 4s represent different eras of mobile technology. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which older device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 4s, despite its age, offers a surprisingly polished experience thanks to iOS and a better camera. The LG Leon provides a more modern chipset, but the iPhone 4s's legacy and optimized software give it the edge for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H340N | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - H340N | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO |
| | 2, 4, 12 - T-Mobile | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, April | 2011, October 04. Released 2011, October 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 129.9 x 64.9 x 10.9 mm (5.11 x 2.56 x 0.43 in) | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm (4.54 x 2.31 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| | - | Scratch-resistant glass back panel |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 640 x 960 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~330 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~54.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Apple A5 (45 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | PowerVR SGX543MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop) | iOS 5, upgradable to iOS 9.3.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 512MB RAM, 16GB 512MB RAM, 32GB 512MB RAM, 64GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP or 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 35mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA, videocalling over Wi-Fi and 3G |
| Video | - | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 465 h (2G) / Up to 505 h (3G) | Up to 200 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable | Li-Po 1432 mAh, non-removable (5.3 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Gold | Black, White |
| Models | H324, H340n, H320, LGMS345, H340, H345 | A1431, A1387, iPhone4,1 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 45h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1261:1 (nominal) / 2.269:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 74dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 45h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1261:1 (nominal) / 2.269:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 74dB |
LG Leon
- More modern chipset
- Generally more affordable
- Larger screen (slightly)
- Expandable storage (likely via microSD)
- Lower camera quality
- Less optimized software
- Older design
- Potentially slower performance due to software
Apple iPhone 4s
- Optimized iOS experience
- Better camera quality
- Classic design
- Generally smoother performance
- Older chipset
- Limited storage (non-expandable)
- Battery degradation likely
- Outdated features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 3.5-inch display with a respectable contrast ratio of 1261:1 (nominal) and 2.269:1 in sunlight. However, the iPhone 4s's Retina display technology provides sharper text and images compared to the LG Leon's IPS LCD. Color accuracy is also generally better on the iPhone 4s.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 4s boasts a superior camera system. While both offer photo and video capabilities, the iPhone 4s's image processing and overall image quality are significantly better, producing more vibrant and detailed photos. The LG Leon's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but struggles in low-light conditions.
Performance
The iPhone 4s's dual-core A5 chip, while older, benefits from Apple's optimized iOS. The LG Leon's quad-core Snapdragon 410 offers more raw processing power, but the iOS optimization often results in a smoother and more responsive user experience on the iPhone 4s, especially for everyday tasks. Gaming performance will be noticeably better on the iPhone 4s.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 45 hours. However, considering the age of the batteries in both devices, real-world performance will likely vary. The iPhone 4s's power efficiency, thanks to iOS, might give it a slight advantage in actual usage.
Buying Guide
The LG Leon is a good choice for those seeking a basic, functional smartphone on a tight budget. The iPhone 4s is ideal for users who appreciate iOS, a decent camera, and a classic design, even with its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone 4s still worth buying?
If you're looking for a classic iOS experience and a decent camera on a budget, the iPhone 4s can still be enjoyable. However, be aware of its age and limitations.
❓ Can I expand the storage on the LG Leon?
Most LG Leon models support expandable storage via a microSD card, offering more flexibility than the iPhone 4s.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives active software updates. The iPhone 4s's last iOS version was iOS 9, while the LG Leon's Android version is outdated.
