Looking for a budget-friendly LG phone? The LG Spirit and LG G3 Screen offer affordable options, but which one delivers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG G3 Screen is the clear winner. While the Spirit is a basic, functional phone, the G3 Screen boasts a significantly more powerful processor, better display, and overall superior performance, making it the better choice despite its age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H440N | HSDPA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - H440N | LTE |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| 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, 5, 7, 17 - H445 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, March | 2014, October. Released 2014, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 133.3 x 66.1 x 10 mm (5.25 x 2.60 x 0.39 in) | 157.8 x 81.8 x 9.5 mm (6.21 x 3.22 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 124.4 g (4.37 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~373 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.9 inches, 96.0 cm2 (~74.3% 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 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A15 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) - H440N, H445Mediatek MT6582 - H420 | LG Nuclun |
| GPU | Adreno 306Mali-400MP2 | - |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF - H440N, H445
5 MP, AF - H420 | 13 MP, 1/3.0", AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (H445 only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 540 h (2G) / Up to 591 h (3G) | Up to 640 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Gold, White | Black, White |
| Models | H440n, H442, H420, H422 | F490L |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 250 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
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent call quality
- Low performance
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
LG G3 Screen
- Powerful processor
- Excellent display
- Better camera
- Larger battery
- Older model (potential software support issues)
- May have battery degradation
- Larger size
Display Comparison
The LG G3 Screen features a 5.5-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) display, offering incredible sharpness and vibrant colors. The LG Spirit typically has a 5-inch 720p display, which is noticeably less detailed and sharp. The G3 Screen's higher resolution and likely better panel technology provide a significantly superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The LG G3 Screen generally has a better camera setup, often featuring a 13MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The Spirit's camera is typically a lower resolution (8-13MP) and lacks OIS, resulting in less detailed photos and more blur in low-light conditions. While both are budget cameras, the G3 Screen's hardware and image processing are generally superior.
Performance
Here's where the G3 Screen truly shines. Its Octa-core processor (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) provides a substantial performance boost over the Spirit's Snapdragon 410 or Mediatek MT6582. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the G3 Screen. The Spirit can feel sluggish, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The LG G3 Screen has a 3000mAh battery, while the LG Spirit typically has a 2100mAh battery. The G3 Screen's larger battery, combined with its more efficient processor, generally provides longer battery life, although real-world usage will vary.
Buying Guide
The LG Spirit is best suited for users who need a very basic phone for calls, texts, and minimal app usage. The LG G3 Screen is ideal for those who want a more capable smartphone experience on a budget, including smoother performance and a better camera, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Spirit still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely need a very basic, ultra-budget phone for calls and texts and don't care about performance or features. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ What are the potential downsides of buying an older phone like the LG G3 Screen?
Software updates may be limited or unavailable, and the battery may have degraded over time. However, the performance and features often outweigh these drawbacks for budget-conscious buyers.
