Looking for an affordable Android phone? The LG Leon and LG G5 SE were both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the better value? We'll dive deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG G5 SE is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 652 chipset, faster charging, and improved camera significantly outperform the LG Leon. While the Leon is a basic option, the G5 SE provides a noticeable upgrade for a reasonable price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H340N | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H840 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - H340N | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - H840 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 12 - T-Mobile | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, April | 2016, April. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129.9 x 64.9 x 10.9 mm (5.11 x 2.56 x 0.43 in) | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm (5.88 x 2.91 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 156 g (5.50 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 77.4 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), LG Optimus UX UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, 29mm (standard), 1/2.6", 3-axis OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2" |
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP or 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | Up to 465 h (2G) / Up to 505 h (3G) | Up to 380 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Gold | Silver, Titan, Gold |
| Models | H324, H340n, H320, LGMS345, H340, H345 | H845, H840, H848 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 350 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
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life for basic use
- Simple and easy to use
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Slow performance
LG G5 SE
- Faster processor and smoother performance
- Full HD display
- Better camera with OIS
- Quick Charge 3.0
- More RAM
- Older model (potential software update issues)
- Battery life could be better with heavy use
- Design may feel dated
Display Comparison
The LG Leon typically featured a 5.3-inch IPS LCD display, likely with a resolution around 720p. The LG G5 SE boasted a 5.3-inch IPS LCD as well, but with a Full HD (1080p) resolution, resulting in a sharper and more detailed image. The G5 SE's display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
The LG G5 SE generally had a 16MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a significant advantage over the Leon's likely 8MP or 13MP camera. The G5 SE's OIS helps reduce blur in low-light conditions. While front-facing camera specs varied, the G5 SE generally offered better image quality.
Performance
This is where the G5 SE shines. The Snapdragon 652 with its octa-core processor and Cortex-A72 cores offers a significant performance boost over the Leon's Snapdragon 410 and Cortex-A53 cores. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the G5 SE.
Battery Life
The LG G5 SE had a 2900 mAh battery, while the Leon had a 2610 mAh battery. While capacity isn't everything, the G5 SE's more efficient processor and 18W Quick Charge 3.0 charging provide a better overall battery experience.
Buying Guide
The LG Leon is best for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need basic calling and texting functionality. The LG G5 SE is ideal for those wanting a smoother experience, better camera, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Leon still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and only need basic smartphone functionality. Otherwise, the LG G5 SE offers significantly better value.
❓ What does 'SE' stand for in LG G5 SE?
SE stands for 'Special Edition,' indicating a slightly modified version of the LG G5 with a more efficient processor and reduced features to lower the price.
