The Sony Xperia 5 II represented a return to form for Sony's compact flagship line, packing a Snapdragon 865 into a pocketable form factor. The LG W41 Pro, on the other hand, aimed for the budget-conscious market with a Mediatek Helio G35. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, highlighting where the Xperia 5 II’s premium price tag delivers tangible benefits and where the W41 Pro offers a compelling value proposition.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, camera quality, and a premium experience, the Sony Xperia 5 II is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset and 600 nits display significantly outperform the LG W41 Pro’s Helio G35 and basic panel. However, the W41 Pro provides a functional smartphone experience at a fraction of the cost, making it suitable for basic users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 22. Released 2021, March 03 | 2020, September 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, October 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 77.3 x 9.3 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
| | - | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 900 x 1600 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 118.3 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | OLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Dynamic vibration system |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 21W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Laser Blue | Black, Grey, Blue, Pink |
| Models | LMK610IM, LM-K610IM | SO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 695.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 239.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 532655 (v8)
GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG W41 Pro
- Affordable price point
- Acceptable battery life (102h)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Weak processor (Helio G35)
- Lower display quality
- Limited camera capabilities
Sony Xperia 5 II
- Powerful Snapdragon 865 processor
- Bright and high-quality display (600 nits)
- Fast charging (21W with PD3.0)
- Superior camera performance
- Significantly higher price ($695)
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 5 II boasts a 600 nits max brightness display, ensuring good visibility even outdoors, a feature absent from the LG W41 Pro’s specifications. While the W41 Pro’s panel details are unavailable, its budget positioning suggests a lower peak brightness and potentially less accurate color reproduction. The Xperia 5 II’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a true black level, likely achieved through an OLED panel, offering a richer viewing experience compared to what is expected from the W41 Pro. The 21:9 aspect ratio of the Xperia 5 II also caters to multimedia consumption and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo/video capabilities, but the Xperia 5 II’s camera system is expected to be far more sophisticated. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Xperia 5 II benefits from Sony’s image processing expertise and likely incorporates features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and advanced video recording modes. The W41 Pro, given its price point, likely relies on simpler camera hardware and software. The absence of detailed camera specs for the W41 Pro suggests a focus on basic functionality rather than high-end image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Sony Xperia 5 II utilizes the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+), while the LG W41 Pro is powered by the Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 865’s architecture – a 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – is significantly more powerful than the Helio G35’s Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The 7nm+ fabrication process of the Snapdragon 865 also provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding applications and games for the Xperia 5 II.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Xperia 5 II offers 21W wired charging with PD3.0, capable of reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes. Charging speed data for the W41 Pro is unavailable, but it’s likely to be significantly slower. The Snapdragon 865’s power efficiency, despite its higher performance, contributes to the Xperia 5 II’s competitive battery life, offsetting the potential drain from its more demanding features.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W41 Pro if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You’ll appreciate its lower price point and acceptable battery life. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 II if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile gaming, high-quality photography and videography, and a more refined user experience. The Snapdragon 865 and 600 nits display deliver a substantial performance leap.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG W41 Pro suitable for playing demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Mediatek Helio G35 in the LG W41 Pro is a budget-oriented processor. While it can run PUBG, expect lower graphics settings and potential frame rate drops, especially during intense gameplay. It's not ideal for a smooth, high-fidelity gaming experience.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia 5 II support external displays or desktop mode functionality?
Yes, the Sony Xperia 5 II supports external display output via USB-C, allowing you to connect it to a monitor or TV. It also offers a desktop-like experience when connected to an external display with a keyboard and mouse, enhancing productivity.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Xperia 5 II compare to the W41 Pro?
The Xperia 5 II's Snapdragon 865 includes an integrated 5G modem, offering faster and more reliable 5G connectivity. The LG W41 Pro's 5G capabilities are limited by its Helio G35 chipset and may not support all 5G bands or achieve the same speeds.
