The LG Q70 and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent a fascinating crossroads in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieving that goal. The Q70 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675, while the A50s opts for Samsung's in-house Exynos 9611. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these choices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient power management, the LG Q70 emerges as the stronger contender. The Snapdragon 675's 11nm process and Kryo architecture offer a more balanced experience than the Exynos 9611, particularly in demanding tasks. However, the A50s' brand recognition and software features may appeal to Samsung loyalists.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 66 - Verizon | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 28. Released 2019, October | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 76.8 x 8.3 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, LG UX 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual or Triple | 32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens
or
32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC3 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | LM-Q730N, LMQ620WA, LM-Q620WA, LM-Q620VAB, LMQ620VAB, LM-Q730 | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Q70
- More efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Likely better battery life
- Less brand recognition than Samsung
- Software updates may be less frequent
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Samsung's One UI software experience
- Strong brand reputation
- Potentially more vibrant display colors
- Exynos 9611 prone to throttling
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Less efficient chipset
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on processing power to drive the UI smoothly. The A50s' larger screen size (likely around 6.5 inches vs. the Q70's 6.4 inches) may offer a more immersive viewing experience, but this comes at the cost of potentially increased power consumption. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely comparable, given the market segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is largely irrelevant), a meaningful comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 12-16MP. The Exynos 9611's ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more vibrant colors and better dynamic range in ideal conditions. However, the Snapdragon 675's ISP is also capable, and real-world image quality will depend heavily on software tuning. The Q70's potential for better thermal management could also contribute to more consistent image quality during extended shooting sessions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Q70’s Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, features a Kryo 460 CPU with a dual-cluster configuration (2x2.0 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver). This architecture prioritizes efficiency by offloading less demanding tasks to the Silver cores. The Samsung Galaxy A50s, powered by the Exynos 9611 (10nm), utilizes a more traditional Cortex-A73/A53 configuration with a higher peak clock speed (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73). While the Exynos boasts higher clock speeds, the 10nm process isn't as refined as the Snapdragon's 11nm, potentially leading to more heat generation under sustained load. This means the Q70 is likely to maintain higher sustained performance during gaming or video editing.
Battery Life
Both devices offer 15W wired charging, a standard for this price point. While battery capacity isn't specified, both likely fall in the 4000-4500 mAh range. The Snapdragon 675's superior power efficiency gives the LG Q70 an edge in battery life. Users can expect to get through a full day of moderate use on the Q70 with some headroom, while the A50s might require a top-up if heavily used. The 0-100% charging time will be similar, around 2-2.5 hours for both.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q70 if you need a phone that can handle moderate gaming and multitasking without significant thermal throttling, and if you value efficient battery usage. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer Samsung's One UI software experience, prioritize a well-established brand ecosystem, and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its absolute performance limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 675, especially under sustained load. While it won't necessarily shut down, users can expect noticeable throttling – a reduction in performance – during extended gaming sessions, leading to dropped frames and a less smooth experience.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range are more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful tool. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. You're better off using the main camera and cropping in for close-up shots.
❓ Can the LG Q70 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with a reasonably stable frame rate. However, pushing the graphics to the absolute maximum may result in some stuttering and frame drops. The Q70's thermal management will help maintain performance for longer periods compared to the A50s.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides more consistent and long-term software support for its devices compared to LG, especially after LG exited the smartphone market. While neither phone will receive updates indefinitely, the Galaxy A50s is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
