The LG W31 and the alcatel 3v (2019) represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum. Both devices launched targeting price-sensitive consumers, and surprisingly share the same core chipset. This comparison dissects the subtle differences between these two, focusing on where the alcatel 3v attempts to differentiate itself beyond a similar core experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the alcatel 3v (2019) edges out the LG W31 due to its inclusion of 15W wired charging. While both phones offer identical performance from the Mediatek Helio P22, the faster charging capability provides a tangible benefit in daily usability, reducing downtime and improving convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, December 23 | 2019, Q2. Released 2019, Q4 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (DragonTrail Pro glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 174.5 x 83.3 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.28 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173.6 g (6.14 oz) | 197.9 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | DragonTrail Pro |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 115.8 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue | Elegant Black |
| Models | LMK315IM, LM-K315, LM-K315IM | 5032W |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 170 EUR |
LG W31
- Identical processor to the alcatel 3v (2019)
- Potentially cleaner software experience (regional dependent)
- May have a more durable build quality (brand reputation)
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Battery capacity unknown
- Camera performance likely similar to alcatel 3v
alcatel 3v (2019)
- 15W wired charging for faster top-ups
- Identical processor to the LG W31
- Competitive price point
- Potentially more bloatware
- Build quality may be less premium
- Camera performance likely similar to LG W31
Display Comparison
Neither LG nor Alcatel provided detailed display specifications in the provided data. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. Expect similar color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like HDR is standard for this segment. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to assess image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Expect acceptable results in well-lit conditions, but poor performance in low light.
Performance
Both the LG W31 and the alcatel 3v (2019) are powered by the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 12nm process node offers reasonable power efficiency, but don't expect sustained high performance. The GPU within the Helio P22 is adequate for basic graphics, but struggles with demanding titles. RAM configurations are unknown, but will significantly impact multitasking capabilities; more RAM is always preferable.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the LG W31. The alcatel 3v (2019) includes 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over a potentially slower charging solution on the LG W31. While battery life will depend on usage patterns, the faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. A larger battery capacity doesn't always translate to longer real-world usage; efficient software optimization and the power draw of the Helio P22 are equally important factors.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W31 if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on regional variations) and are less concerned with quick top-ups. Buy the alcatel 3v (2019) if you value faster charging speeds and are willing to potentially navigate a more customized Android skin. Both are suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P22 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio P22 is an entry-level chipset and will likely struggle to run PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings. You may need to lower the graphics settings to the lowest possible level and still experience frame rate drops. It's best suited for less demanding games.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the alcatel 3v (2019) with the 15W charger?
Without knowing the battery capacity of the alcatel 3v (2019), it's difficult to provide an exact charging time. However, with a 15W charger, you can expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ Is the software on either of these phones heavily customized with bloatware?
Both LG and alcatel are known to include pre-installed apps (bloatware) on their budget devices. The extent of bloatware can vary depending on the region and carrier. Expect to spend some time uninstalling unwanted apps to free up storage space and improve performance.
