The LG Leon and Huawei Ascend Y550 were popular budget smartphones vying for attention in a crowded market. Both offered a decent entry point into the smartphone world, but subtle differences could make one a better choice than the other. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same core Snapdragon 410 chipset. The Huawei Ascend Y550 likely edges out the LG Leon due to potentially better software optimization and slightly improved battery life, though both are firmly in the budget category. Ultimately, availability and price will be key factors.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H340N | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - Y550-L01 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - H340N | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Y550-L01 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 12 - T-Mobile | 2, 4, 7 - Y550-L03 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, April | 2014, September. Released 2014, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129.9 x 64.9 x 10.9 mm (5.11 x 2.56 x 0.43 in) | 133 x 68 x 9.5 mm (5.24 x 2.68 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) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), EMUI 2.3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP or 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 465 h (2G) / Up to 505 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Gold | Black, White |
| Models | H324, H340n, H320, LGMS345, H340, H345 | Y550-L01, Y550-L02 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | - |
LG Leon
- Potentially more familiar Android experience
- Slightly better color accuracy on display (potentially)
- Generally reliable brand
- Average camera performance
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Battery life could be better
Huawei Ascend Y550
- Potentially better battery life
- Competitive price (historically)
- Huawei's EMUI (potentially optimized)
- Huawei's software (EMUI) can be divisive
- Average camera performance
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small, LCD displays, typically around 4.5 to 4.7 inches. Resolution was likely in the 854 x 480 range, common for budget devices of that era. Screen quality was adequate for basic tasks but lacked vibrancy and viewing angles. The Leon might have had slightly better color accuracy, but the difference was minimal.
Camera Comparison
The LG Leon typically featured an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The Huawei Ascend Y550 also had an 8MP rear camera, but the front camera resolution could vary. Image quality on both was average, with limited low-light performance. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but nothing exceptional.
Performance
Performance is largely identical due to the shared Snapdragon 410 chipset and Cortex-A53 CPU. Expect basic multitasking and smooth navigation for simple apps. Demanding games and heavy applications would struggle. Software optimization plays a crucial role here; Huawei's EMUI (at the time) could potentially offer slightly better performance than LG's skin.
Battery Life
Battery capacity was around 2000-2100 mAh for both devices. The Huawei Ascend Y550 often had a slight edge in battery life due to potentially more efficient software and power management. Expect a full day of moderate use on either device.
Buying Guide
The LG Leon is a good option for those prioritizing a slightly more familiar Android experience (depending on LG's software at the time). The Huawei Ascend Y550 might appeal to users seeking a slightly longer battery life and potentially a more competitive price point, though Huawei's software could be a consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for purchase unless you're looking for a very basic, ultra-budget device for simple tasks. Newer smartphones offer significantly better performance, cameras, and features at similar price points.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
Both phones initially launched with Android 4.4 KitKat, with potential for updates to Android 5.0 Lollipop depending on the region and carrier.
