Looking for a reliable and affordable LG phone? The LG Q61 and LG G5 SE were both popular choices in their time. But which one offers the better value now? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG G5 SE edges out the Q61 thanks to its Snapdragon 652 chipset, faster charging (QC3), and generally more responsive performance. While the Q61 boasts a larger screen, the G5 SE's overall speed and charging capabilities make it the slightly better pick for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H840 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - H840 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 21. Released 2020, May 29 | 2016, April. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm (5.88 x 2.91 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 156 g (5.50 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~554 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~82.1% 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 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), LG Optimus UX UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | Up to 380 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Silver, Titan, Gold |
| Models | LM-Q630N | H845, H840, H848 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 350 EUR |
LG Q61
- Larger Display
- Longer Battery Life (potentially)
- More Affordable (typically)
- Slower Performance
- Less Responsive
- Older Chipset
LG G5 SE
- Faster Performance
- Quick Charge 3.0
- More Responsive
- Slightly Better Image Processing
- Smaller Battery
- Older Device
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The LG Q61 features a larger 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The LG G5 SE has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. While the Q61 offers more screen real estate, the G5 SE's smaller size can be more comfortable to hold and use with one hand. Both offer decent color reproduction for their price point.
Camera Comparison
The LG Q61 has a triple-camera setup (13MP main, 5MP wide-angle, 2MP depth sensor) and a 13MP front camera. The LG G5 SE has a dual-camera setup (16MP main, 8MP wide-angle) and an 8MP front camera. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, but the G5 SE's image processing tends to be slightly better. Low-light performance is average on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the G5 SE shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chipset, while older, generally outperforms the Q61's Mediatek Helio P35. The G5 SE's Cortex-A72 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. The Q61 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The LG Q61 has a larger 4000mAh battery, offering potentially longer battery life than the LG G5 SE's 2900mAh battery. However, the G5 SE's Quick Charge 3.0 support allows for significantly faster charging times, offsetting the battery capacity difference.
Buying Guide
The LG Q61 is a good choice for users prioritizing a larger display and extended battery life on a tight budget. The LG G5 SE is ideal for those who value performance, faster charging, and a slightly more premium feel, even if it's an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Q61 still worth buying?
It can be a decent option if you prioritize a large screen and long battery life and find it at a very low price. However, be aware of its performance limitations.
❓ Where can I find an LG G5 SE?
The LG G5 SE is an older device, so you'll likely need to find it on the used market or from online retailers specializing in older smartphones.
