The LG W41 and Oppo A74 represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The LG W41, powered by MediaTek’s Helio G35, aims for affordability, while the Oppo A74 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662, offering a potential step up in performance and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the Oppo A74 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the LG W41’s Helio G35, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the LG W41 remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 22. Released 2021, March 03 | 2021, April 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 77.3 x 9.3 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 900 x 1600 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 118.3 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 54% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Laser Blue | Prism Black, Midnight Blue |
| Models | LMK610IM, LM-K610IM | CHP2219 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 300 EUR |
LG W41
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely long battery life due to efficient chipset
- Slower processor performance
- Significantly slower charging speeds
- Less refined user experience
Oppo A74
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Slightly higher price
- Battery life may be comparable to LG W41
- May still lack premium features
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of display specifications beyond the core chipsets makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the Oppo A74’s slightly higher price point *suggests* a potentially better panel with improved color accuracy or brightness, though this remains speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on cost reduction rather than premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing. It’s reasonable to assume the Oppo A74, given its slightly higher positioning, may have a larger primary sensor, capturing more light and detail. The LG W41’s Helio G35 ISP is likely less sophisticated than the Snapdragon 662’s, potentially resulting in less dynamic range and detail in photos. The presence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices is likely for marketing purposes rather than significant image quality improvements.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A74’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the LG W41’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 662 utilizes Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more efficient and balanced performance profile. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s 2.0 GHz cores provide a clock speed advantage over the Helio G35’s 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 662 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained tasks. This translates to a smoother experience in multitasking and gaming for the Oppo A74.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both likely fall in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The Oppo A74’s key advantage is its 33W wired charging, capable of delivering a 54% charge in just 30 minutes. This is a significant benefit for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The LG W41 likely supports standard charging speeds (10-15W), resulting in considerably longer charging times. While a larger battery capacity on the LG W41 *could* offset the slower charging, the convenience of the Oppo A74’s fast charging is a compelling advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W41 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You’ll be sacrificing performance and charging speed. Buy the Oppo A74 if you prefer a smoother user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the convenience of rapid 33W charging. It’s a small investment for a significantly improved daily experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A74’s Snapdragon 662 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G35, which may struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Oppo A74 compared to the LG W41’s charging?
The Oppo A74’s 33W charging can deliver a 54% charge in 30 minutes. The LG W41, likely supporting 10-15W charging, would take considerably longer – potentially over 2 hours to reach a similar charge level. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the image processing on the Oppo A74 noticeably better than on the LG W41?
While specific camera samples are needed for a definitive assessment, the Snapdragon 662’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the Helio G35’s. This typically translates to better dynamic range, more accurate colors, and improved detail in photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
