The LG Nexus 5, released in 2013, represented a high-water mark for affordable flagship Android experiences. The Prestigio MultiPhone 5300 Duo, arriving later, aimed for a similar price point but with significantly different hardware. This comparison dissects the core differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play powering the Prestigio and the Snapdragon 800 in the Nexus 5, revealing where each phone excels and who benefits most from their respective strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user today, the LG Nexus 5 is the clear winner. While both phones offer a 38-hour endurance rating, the Snapdragon 800’s superior processing power and more efficient architecture provide a significantly smoother and more responsive experience, justifying its higher original price and continued usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 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 | 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. Released 2013 | 2013, October. Released 2013, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 77.2 x 9.9 mm (5.79 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) | 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm (5.43 x 2.72 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~185 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~445 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 77.4 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.95 inches, 67.5 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | True HD IPS+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 203 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-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 | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 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 | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 17 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 500 h | Up to 300 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White, Red |
| Models | - | Nexus 5, D820, D821 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.92 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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 |
Prestigio MultiPhone 5300 Duo
- Lower price point (originally)
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Dual SIM capability (implied by 'Duo' in the name)
- Significantly slower processor
- Inferior graphics performance
- Likely lower quality display
- Limited software support
LG Nexus 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 processor
- Smooth and responsive user experience
- Better camera performance
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Regular software updates (at launch)
- Older device with limited software support now
- Battery aging may be a concern
- Original price was higher
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 967:1 (nominal) and 2.228:1 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the Prestigio’s display specifications are largely unknown, making a detailed comparison impossible. The Nexus 5’s 4.95-inch display, while smaller, benefits from the Snapdragon 800’s superior graphics processing capabilities, allowing for smoother animations and potentially better color reproduction. The lack of detailed display specs for the Prestigio suggests a lower-quality panel overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. The Nexus 5 likely benefits from the Snapdragon 800’s superior image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without detailed sensor information for the Prestigio, it’s safe to assume the Nexus 5’s camera delivers superior image quality and features. The Nexus 5’s camera app also benefited from Google’s computational photography advancements at the time.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The LG Nexus 5’s Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. This is a substantial leap over the Prestigio’s MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play with its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU. The Krait 400 architecture is significantly more efficient and powerful, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 28nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. The S4 Play, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and modern games.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both devices are rated for 38 hours of endurance. This suggests similar battery optimization and usage patterns were targeted. However, the Snapdragon 800’s more efficient architecture likely translates to better real-world battery life under moderate to heavy use. The Nexus 5 also supports Qi wireless charging, a feature absent on the Prestigio, adding convenience for users who prefer cable-free charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Prestigio MultiPhone 5300 Duo if you need a very basic, low-cost Android device for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are willing to accept significant performance limitations. Buy the LG Nexus 5 if you prioritize a fluid user experience, better camera performance, and the ability to run modern apps (even if older) with reasonable speed and responsiveness, and are comfortable with a device that is nearing end-of-life support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Nexus 5 still usable in 2024, considering its age?
Yes, but with caveats. While it won't run the latest Android versions, the Snapdragon 800 is still capable of handling many everyday tasks and older apps reasonably well. However, battery health will likely be degraded, and security updates are no longer available, posing a potential risk.
❓ What kind of performance difference should I expect between the Snapdragon S4 Play and the Snapdragon 800 in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Snapdragon 800 is roughly twice as fast in CPU performance and significantly faster in GPU performance. This translates to noticeably quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to play more demanding games on the Nexus 5. The Prestigio will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
❓ Does the Prestigio MultiPhone 5300 Duo support any modern apps or games?
It can run some, but performance will be severely limited. Apps and games optimized for more powerful processors will likely experience lag, crashes, or simply won't run at all. It's best suited for older, less demanding applications.
❓ Is the lack of software updates a major concern for the LG Nexus 5?
Yes, it is. Without security updates, the Nexus 5 is vulnerable to known exploits. While you can mitigate some risks with careful usage and security software, it's important to be aware of the inherent security limitations.
