The LG Q51 and Nokia 3.4 represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Q51, released earlier, aims for affordability with a Mediatek Helio P22 chipset. The Nokia 3.4, a more recent entry, leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460, promising improved performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 3.4 is the better choice. While both phones target the budget segment, the Snapdragon 460’s more modern architecture and Cortex-A73 cores deliver a noticeably smoother experience, especially in multitasking and app loading. The Q51 remains a viable option for extremely price-sensitive buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, February 26 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen White, Moonlight Titanium | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | LM-Q510N | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
LG Q51
- Potentially lower price point
- May have slightly larger battery capacity (speculation)
- Simple and straightforward Android experience
- Outdated Helio P22 chipset
- Slower performance and multitasking
- Inferior camera image processing
Nokia 3.4
- More powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Smoother user experience and faster app loading
- Better camera image quality
- Likely longer software support
- Slightly higher price
- Only 10W charging
- May have a smaller battery capacity (speculation)
Display Comparison
Neither LG nor Nokia provided detailed display specs in the provided data. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The real difference lies under the hood. The Q51’s Helio P22 lacks a dedicated display processing unit (DPU) found in more modern chipsets, potentially impacting color accuracy and image sharpness. The Nokia 3.4, benefiting from the Snapdragon 460, may offer slightly better image processing, though both will likely struggle with outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature similar budget camera setups. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 460 is more advanced than the one in the Helio P22, meaning the Nokia 3.4 will likely produce better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect more detail, less noise, and faster processing times. The Q51’s older ISP may struggle with dynamic range and color accuracy.
Performance
The core difference between these phones is the chipset. The LG Q51’s Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm) uses eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. This is an older architecture focused on power efficiency but lacks the performance headroom of the Nokia 3.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The Snapdragon 460 combines four Cortex-A73 cores (1.8 GHz) with four Cortex-A53 cores (1.8 GHz). The A73 cores provide a significant performance boost in single-threaded tasks and overall responsiveness. The 11nm process node on the Snapdragon 460 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life under load. This translates to faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more enjoyable user experience on the Nokia 3.4.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are missing. However, the Snapdragon 460’s superior power efficiency gives the Nokia 3.4 an advantage. While the Q51 might have a slightly larger battery, the 460’s 11nm process and optimized architecture will likely result in longer real-world usage. The Nokia 3.4 also supports 10W wired charging, which, while slow by modern standards, is a standard offering in this price bracket. The Q51’s charging speed is unknown, but likely comparable.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q51 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are willing to accept compromises in performance for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you value a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a chipset that will likely receive longer software support, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia 3.4 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 460 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate drops during intense action, but it's playable. The LG Q51's Helio P22 will likely struggle even at the lowest settings, offering a less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much does software support differ between the LG Q51 and Nokia 3.4?
Nokia is known for providing relatively good software support for its budget phones, including security updates and potentially one major Android version upgrade. LG’s support for the Q51 is likely limited, with fewer updates and a shorter lifespan. This means the Nokia 3.4 will remain secure and functional for a longer period.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia 3.4 a significant drawback?
10W charging is slow compared to modern standards, taking around 2-3 hours for a full charge. However, it's typical for phones in this price range. The Snapdragon 460’s efficiency means you won’t be constantly needing to top up the battery, mitigating the slow charging speed.
