The LG Stylo 5 and Samsung Galaxy A10s represent a critical segment of the smartphone market: affordable devices for everyday use. Both phones aim to deliver essential functionality without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly better display visibility, the LG Stylo 5 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 450, despite being older, offers a more consistent experience than the Helio P22, and the 20W charging is a significant advantage. However, the A10s remains a viable option for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A107M/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, August 12. Released 2019, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160 x 77.7 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) | 156.9 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.18 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP | - |
| Single | 5 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blonde Rose, Platinum Gray | Blue, Green, Red, Black |
| Models | LM-Q720 | SM-A107F, SM-A107M |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise-93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 79h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1485 (nominal), 3.218 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 70dB
| - |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 4695 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
LG Stylo 5
- Better sustained performance due to Snapdragon 450's thermal characteristics
- Faster 20W charging
- Superior display contrast in sunlight
- Older chipset architecture
- Potentially higher initial cost
Samsung Galaxy A10s
- More efficient 12nm chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely lower sustained performance under load
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. However, the LG Stylo 5 boasts a contrast ratio of 1485 (nominal) and 3.218 (sunlight), suggesting superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions compared to the A10s, which lacks this data. While neither display is expected to be particularly vibrant or color-accurate, the Stylo 5’s higher sunlight contrast ratio is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. The absence of information regarding panel type (IPS vs. TFT) on both devices suggests they are likely utilizing cost-optimized panels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The inclusion of a 'Photo/Video' designation for the Stylo 5 suggests a standard camera experience, while the A10s likely offers similar functionality. Given the market segment, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, and neither phone is expected to excel in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on the A10s is largely a marketing feature, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Stylo 5 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, built on a 14nm process, with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz. The Samsung Galaxy A10s features the MediaTek Helio P22, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process, but with a slightly faster octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU at 2.0 GHz. While the P22’s clock speed is higher, the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 450 can offer better sustained performance due to potentially improved thermal characteristics. The Helio P22’s efficiency gains are likely more noticeable in idle scenarios, but the Stylo 5 should maintain performance longer under load.
Battery Life
The LG Stylo 5 achieves an endurance rating of 79 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the A10s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, the Stylo 5’s endurance rating suggests a well-optimized power management system. Crucially, the Stylo 5 supports 20W wired charging, a significant advantage over the A10s, which likely utilizes slower charging speeds. This means the Stylo 5 can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Stylo 5 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, enjoy slightly faster app loading times, and value quicker charging. It's ideal for users who occasionally play casual games or stream video. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A10s if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost, accepting a trade-off in overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio P22 in the Galaxy A10s struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio P22, while efficient, is a lower-tier chipset. Users may experience noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between them frequently. The Snapdragon 450 in the Stylo 5 handles multitasking more smoothly.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the LG Stylo 5 with the 20W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 20W charging capability of the Stylo 5 should allow for a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, significantly faster than the Galaxy A10s, which likely uses a 10W or 15W charger.
❓ Is the camera on either phone suitable for taking clear photos in low-light conditions?
Neither the LG Stylo 5 nor the Samsung Galaxy A10s are expected to perform well in low-light scenarios. Both phones lack optical image stabilization (OIS) and likely have small image sensors, resulting in noisy and blurry photos in dimly lit environments.
❓ Will I be able to play popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile on the Galaxy A10s?
You can *launch* PUBG Mobile on the Galaxy A10s, but expect a compromised experience. The Helio P22 will likely require very low graphics settings and may still exhibit frame rate drops, especially during intense action. The Stylo 5 offers a slightly better chance of playable performance, but it's still not ideal for demanding games.
