Looking for an affordable Android phone without breaking the bank? The LG Spirit and Huawei P9 Lite Mini are both contenders in the budget smartphone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P9 Lite Mini edges out the LG Spirit thanks to its slightly more powerful Snapdragon 425 chipset and generally better software support. While both are budget options, the P9 Lite Mini provides a smoother experience and potentially longer software updates.
| 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 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H440N | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - H440N | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - H445 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, March | 2017, August. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 133.3 x 66.1 x 10 mm (5.25 x 2.60 x 0.39 in) | 143.5 x 71 x 8.1 mm (5.65 x 2.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 124.4 g (4.37 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 - H440N, H445Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 - H420 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) - H440N, H445Mediatek MT6582 - H420 | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF - H440N, H445
5 MP, AF - H420 | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | v4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (H445 only) | 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, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 540 h (2G) / Up to 591 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3020 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Gold, White | Silver, black, gold |
| Models | H440n, H442, H420, H422 | SLA-L02, SLA-L22, SLA-L03, SLA-L23 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.06 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | - |
LG Spirit
- Simple and easy to use
- Compact size
- Affordable price
- Outdated chipset
- Limited software updates
- Mediocre camera
Huawei P9 lite mini
- Slightly better performance
- Improved camera
- Potentially longer software support
- Can still feel slow with demanding apps
- Huawei's software can be polarizing
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.0-inch display, likely with a resolution around 720p (HD). The Huawei P9 Lite Mini might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Huawei's display technology, but the difference will be minimal. Expect similar screen performance overall.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P9 Lite Mini typically boasts a better camera setup. While both likely have a rear camera around 8-13MP, Huawei's image processing algorithms are generally stronger, resulting in better photos in various lighting conditions. The Spirit's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but the P9 Lite Mini will likely produce more detailed and vibrant images.
Performance
The Huawei P9 Lite Mini holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 425 chipset is a newer and more efficient processor than the Snapdragon 410 (or Mediatek MT6582 in some Spirit variants). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience. The Cortex-A53 cores in both are similar, but the 425's architecture and efficiency are superior.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely around 2500-3000mAh for both devices. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini's more efficient chipset should contribute to slightly better battery life, allowing it to last a bit longer on a single charge. Real-world battery performance will depend on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The LG Spirit is a good choice for users prioritizing a very basic, functional phone for calls, texts, and light browsing. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini is better suited for those wanting a slightly more responsive experience, a better camera, and potentially longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Huawei P9 Lite Mini is likely to receive slightly longer software updates, although both are budget devices and updates may be limited. Huawei generally has a better track record for updates on their budget lines.
❓ Is the LG Spirit worth buying in 2024?
The LG Spirit is only recommended for users with extremely basic needs and a very tight budget. Its outdated hardware makes it less appealing compared to newer alternatives.
