The Samsung Galaxy A01 and LG K40S represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability above all else. Both devices aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but significant differences in their underlying hardware dictate which phone offers the better experience for specific needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A01 edges out the LG K40S. While both offer similar basic functionality, the Snapdragon 439’s slightly more efficient architecture and potentially better software optimization provide a smoother, more responsive experience, despite the K40S’s marginally higher clocked CPU.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A015M | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 17. Released 2020, January | 2019, August. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 156.3 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue |
| Models | SM-A015F, SM-A015F/DS, SM-A015G, SM-A015G/DS, SM-A015M, SM-A015M/DS, SM-A015T1, SM-S111DL, SM-A015V, SM-A015A, SM-A015AZ, SM-A015U, SM-A015U1 | LMX430HM, LM-X430 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 16GB 2GB RAM | $ 72.90 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 88.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy A01
- Potentially smoother performance due to Snapdragon 439’s architecture.
- Likely better software optimization from Samsung.
- Potentially better power efficiency.
- Lower CPU clock speed compared to the K40S.
- Limited RAM (2GB) restricts multitasking.
LG K40S
- Higher CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz) may benefit single-core tasks.
- Potentially slightly better performance in CPU-intensive apps.
- Competitive price point.
- Helio P22 may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Potentially less efficient power consumption.
- LG’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s.
Display Comparison
Neither the Galaxy A01 nor the K40S are display champions. Specific display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are not provided, but given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but basic usability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment, prioritizing power saving over accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be basic. Details are limited, but it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The usefulness of any additional low-resolution sensors (like a 2MP macro) is minimal. The image processing capabilities of both phones will be limited, resulting in images that are acceptable in good lighting conditions but struggle in low light. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 439 may offer slightly better image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Galaxy A01 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm) with an octa-core CPU split into two clusters – 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53. The LG K40S utilizes the MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) with a uniform octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. While the K40S boasts a higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 439’s split core design, combined with Qualcomm’s generally more efficient CPU architecture, likely results in better sustained performance and thermal management. Both phones are paired with 2GB of RAM in the A01, which will limit multitasking capabilities. The 12nm process node on both chips suggests similar power efficiency, but Qualcomm’s optimizations often give it a slight edge.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 439’s potentially better power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life for the Galaxy A01, despite the K40S’s higher CPU clock speed. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support slow charging speeds (5W-10W), meaning a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 if you prioritize a slightly smoother user experience and potentially better long-term software support, even if it means sacrificing a small amount of CPU clock speed. Buy the LG K40S if you are looking for a phone that might handle slightly more demanding tasks due to its 2.0 GHz CPU, but understand this may come at the cost of battery efficiency and overall system responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Galaxy A01 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Galaxy A01 can run these apps, the 2GB of RAM will likely lead to frequent app reloading and a less fluid experience. Expect some lag when switching between apps. Optimizing app usage and closing unused apps will be crucial.
❓ Is the Helio P22 in the LG K40S capable of playing any mobile games?
The Helio P22 can handle very basic 2D games and older 3D titles at low settings. Demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty will likely be unplayable or suffer from severe lag and frame rate drops. Expect a compromised gaming experience.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on these phones?
Software update support is limited for both devices. Expect only one major Android update (if any) and infrequent security patches. Samsung generally provides slightly better long-term support than LG in this segment, but don't expect more than a year or two of updates.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
Neither the Galaxy A01 nor the LG K40S support fast charging. Both are likely limited to 5W or 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take several hours. A power bank is recommended for users who frequently need to recharge on the go.
