The LG Nexus 5, a 2013 flagship, often resurfaces in discussions about affordable Android options. But how does it stack up against newer, budget-focused devices like the Maxwest Orbit 5400T? This comparison dissects the core hardware differences to determine if the Nexus 5’s legacy performance can overcome the Orbit 5400T’s modern appeal.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a smoother experience, the LG Nexus 5 remains the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset delivers significantly more processing power than the Maxwest Orbit 5400T’s Mediatek MT6572, despite the age difference. However, the Orbit 5400T offers a more modern feature set.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 900 - North American version |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 17, 19, 25, 26, 41 - North America |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, August. Released 2013, October | 2013, October. Released 2013, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 143 x 74.2 x 9.6 mm (5.63 x 2.92 x 0.38 in) | 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm (5.43 x 2.72 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~445 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.95 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | True HD IPS+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 1.3 MP, f/2.4, 1/6", 1.9µm |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Stand-by | Up to 900 h (2G) / Up to 750 h (3G) | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red | Black, White, Red |
| Models | - | Nexus 5, D820, D821 |
| Price | - | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.92 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.01 W/kg (head) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 38h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 967:1 (nominal) / 2.228:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 65dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1016Basemark X: 11638 |
Maxwest Orbit 5400T
- Superior processing power with the Snapdragon 800.
- Wireless charging (Qi) for added convenience.
- Potentially better camera quality due to flagship origins.
- Older device with limited software support.
- Battery degradation is a concern due to age.
- May be difficult to find in good condition.
LG Nexus 5
- Modern device with potential for software updates.
- More readily available and likely cheaper.
- Guaranteed warranty support.
- Significantly slower performance due to the Mediatek MT6572.
- Likely lower camera quality.
- Less responsive user experience.
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 967:1 (nominal) and 2.228:1 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) or resolution for the Orbit 5400T. The Nexus 5’s display, while aging, benefits from Qualcomm’s image processing capabilities, potentially offering more accurate color reproduction. The absence of detailed display specs for the Orbit 5400T makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Nexus 5 likely holds an edge in overall visual quality.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the context data provides minimal detail. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details for either device, a meaningful comparison is challenging. Given the Nexus 5’s flagship status at launch, it likely featured a more sophisticated camera system with better low-light performance and image stabilization. The Orbit 5400T, being a budget device, likely prioritizes cost savings over camera quality. It's safe to assume the Nexus 5 will produce superior images, especially in challenging conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The LG Nexus 5’s Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800, featuring a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, dwarfs the Maxwest Orbit 5400T’s dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor built on the same 28nm process. The Krait 400 architecture is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Cortex-A7, translating to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 28nm node, the architectural differences are paramount. The Nexus 5 will handle demanding applications and light gaming with ease, while the Orbit 5400T will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 38 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life. However, this metric doesn’t account for usage patterns or the efficiency of the respective chipsets. The Snapdragon 800, despite its higher performance, is relatively power-efficient. The Orbit 5400T’s Mediatek MT6572, while less powerful, may consume less power under light loads. The Nexus 5 also benefits from wireless (Qi) charging, a feature absent on the Orbit 5400T, offering added convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Maxwest Orbit 5400T if you need a phone with guaranteed software support and are comfortable with a noticeably slower experience, primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the LG Nexus 5 if you prioritize performance, even with the risks of an older device, and are willing to potentially deal with battery degradation and limited software updates. The Nexus 5 is ideal for those who value a snappy UI and occasional gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nexus 5's battery still usable after all these years?
The Nexus 5's battery is likely degraded. While the endurance rating was 38 hours when new, expect significantly less runtime. Replacing the battery is possible, but requires technical skill and may not be cost-effective.
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6572 in the Orbit 5400T struggle with modern apps?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6572 is a low-end processor. Expect noticeable lag and slow loading times with most modern apps, especially those with demanding graphics or complex features. It's best suited for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing.
❓ Can the Nexus 5 be updated to the latest version of Android?
Officially, no. Google stopped supporting the Nexus 5 with official Android updates several years ago. However, the vibrant custom ROM community offers unofficial updates, allowing you to run newer versions of Android, but this requires technical expertise and voids any warranty.
❓ Does the Orbit 5400T support 4G LTE?
The context data does not specify LTE support. However, given the Mediatek MT6572 chipset, it's likely limited to 3G connectivity. This will result in significantly slower data speeds compared to the Nexus 5, which supports 4G LTE.
