LG W30 vs. vivo Y91: A Detailed Comparison of Budget Smartphones

The LG W30 and vivo Y91 represent a common battleground in the smartphone market: the sub-$150 price point. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank. However, they achieve this with different chipsets – the MediaTek Helio P22 in the W30 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 in the Y91 – leading to distinct performance characteristics. This comparison dives deep into these differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the vivo Y91 emerges as the better choice. While the LG W30 offers a comparable feature set, the Snapdragon 439’s architecture provides a noticeable edge in multitasking and app responsiveness, making it a smoother daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names LG W30 vivo Y91
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 3, 5, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat5 150/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, June. Released 2019, July2018, November. Released 2018, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions159 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 3.01 x 0.32 in)155.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.11 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)163.5 g (5.78 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 505
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 8.1 (Oreo), Funtouch 4.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama
Triple12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF 13 MP, 18mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/1.8
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable4030 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsThunder Blue, Platinum Grey, Aurora GreenStarry Black, Ocean Blue
ModelsLMX440IM, LM-X440IM, LMX440ZM, LM-X440ZM1816, 1817, 1820, 1811, PD1818BF_EX
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 200 EUR
SAR0.82 W/kg (head)     0.32 W/kg (body)1.28 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)
Tests
Performance AnTuTu: 76697 (v7) GeekBench: 3534 (v4.4) GFXBench: 4.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

LG W30

  • Potentially lower price point.
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Helio P22 is a mature and well-supported chipset.

  • Less responsive performance compared to Snapdragon 439.
  • Potentially lower graphics performance for gaming.
  • Image processing may not be as refined.

vivo Y91

  • Smoother multitasking and app responsiveness.
  • Better graphics performance for gaming.
  • More efficient power management for potentially longer battery life.

  • May be slightly more expensive than the LG W30.
  • Software experience can vary depending on vivo’s customizations.
  • May not offer significant camera improvements over the W30.

Display Comparison

Neither LG nor vivo provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic resolution. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The performance of the GPU tied to each chipset will impact the smoothness of scrolling and video playback. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Snapdragon 439’s generally more capable GPU suggests a slightly better visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor size or aperture information, it’s challenging to make a definitive judgment. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 439 generally offers better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The LG W30 may rely on MediaTek’s ISP, which, while capable, typically lags behind Qualcomm’s in terms of dynamic range and noise reduction. The prevalence of 2MP depth sensors on both devices suggests limited functionality beyond basic bokeh effects.

Performance

The core difference between these phones is their chipsets. The vivo Y91’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 employs an octa-core configuration with a split design: four cores clocked at 1.95 GHz and four at 1.45 GHz. This contrasts with the LG W30’s MediaTek Helio P22, which features eight Cortex-A53 cores all clocked at 2.0 GHz. While the W30’s clock speed is higher, the Snapdragon 439’s architecture – utilizing a more efficient core design – provides superior real-world performance. The Snapdragon 439’s Adreno 505 GPU also offers a noticeable advantage in graphics processing, translating to smoother gaming and video playback. This means the Y91 will handle more demanding apps and multitasking scenarios with greater ease.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, given the target market, both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 439’s improved power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the vivo Y91, even with a similar capacity battery. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the Snapdragon’s optimized power management could lead to faster overall charging times, even if both phones support standard 5W or 10W charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG W30 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Helio P22 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the vivo Y91 if you value smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and a more responsive user interface. The Snapdragon 439’s architecture offers a tangible improvement in these areas, making it ideal for users who demand a bit more from their smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the vivo Y91 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 439’s Adreno 505 GPU is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings (Medium or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. The LG W30’s Helio P22 will struggle more with this title.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Snapdragon 439 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 439’s more efficient architecture results in snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience. While the Helio P22 is adequate for basic tasks, the Y91 feels more fluid and less prone to lag.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos in low light?
The vivo Y91 likely performs better in low-light conditions due to Qualcomm’s superior image signal processor (ISP). It can capture more detail and reduce noise compared to the LG W30, although both phones will still struggle in very dark environments.