The LG W10 and W10 Alpha represent LG's foray into the ultra-budget smartphone market. While visually similar, a critical difference lies beneath the surface: their chipsets. This comparison dissects the Mediatek Helio P22 in the W10 versus the Unisoc SC9863A in the W10 Alpha, revealing how these choices impact performance, efficiency, and the overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and smoother multitasking, the LG W10 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P22, despite being older, benefits from a more efficient 12nm process and a generally more refined architecture, translating to a snappier experience than the W10 Alpha's Unisoc SC9863A.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2020, February 19. Released 2020, February 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 156 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.14 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 147.3 x 71 x 8.9 mm (5.80 x 2.80 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.19 inches, 96.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.71 inches, 81.7 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3450 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tulip Purple, Smokey Grey | Black, Blue |
| Models | LMX130IM | LMX210, LMX210LMW, LM-X210LMW |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
LG W10
- More powerful chipset (Helio P22)
- Better power efficiency (12nm process)
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Older chipset architecture
- May be slightly more expensive
LG W10 Alpha
- Lower cost
- More modern Cortex-A55 cores (though slower)
- big.LITTLE architecture for potential efficiency gains at idle
- Less powerful chipset (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Less power efficient (28nm process)
- Potential for throttling under load
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. However, the chipset's graphics processing unit (GPU) will influence the smoothness of scrolling and animations. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the W10's more capable GPU offers potential for a slightly better visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Helio P22’s ISP is generally considered more capable than the SC9863A’s, potentially resulting in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The W10 is likely to produce more detailed and less noisy photos, assuming similar sensor hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG W10’s Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762) is built on a 12nm process, offering better power efficiency compared to the LG W10 Alpha’s Unisoc SC9863A, fabricated on a larger 28nm node. While both are octa-core CPUs, the W10 utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The W10 Alpha employs a big.LITTLE architecture with four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. The Cortex-A55 is more efficient *per core* than the A53, but the W10’s higher clock speed and more consistent core configuration give it an edge in sustained performance. The 28nm process of the SC9863A will likely result in more heat generation under load, potentially leading to throttling.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the Helio P22’s 12nm process contributes to better power efficiency. This means the LG W10 will likely achieve longer battery life on a single charge, even with a similar battery capacity to the W10 Alpha. The SC9863A’s 28nm process will consume more power, impacting overall battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W10 if you need a phone that feels responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. The Helio P22 provides a noticeable performance advantage. Buy the LG W10 Alpha if your primary concern is absolute cost and you only intend to use the phone for very basic functions like calls, texts, and minimal app usage, and are willing to accept slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the W10 Alpha struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A, combined with its 28nm process, is likely to exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously. The W10's Helio P22 handles multitasking more smoothly due to its higher clock speed and more efficient architecture.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A53 vs A55) significant in real-world use?
While Cortex-A55 cores are more efficient *per clock cycle*, the LG W10's Helio P22 utilizes faster Cortex-A53 cores. The overall performance difference is more influenced by the clock speed and process node (12nm vs 28nm) than the architectural shift alone, favoring the W10.
❓ Does the LG W10 Alpha get noticeably hot during extended use, like gaming?
The Unisoc SC9863A's 28nm process is prone to generating more heat. Expect the LG W10 Alpha to become warmer during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks, potentially leading to performance throttling to prevent overheating.
