The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Sony Xperia E5 and the LG Optimus L3 II E430. Both aim to deliver value, but which one offers the better experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia E5 clearly wins this comparison. Its superior chipset, significantly better battery life, and improved display offer a more modern and enjoyable user experience than the aging LG Optimus L3 II. While both are budget options, the E5 provides more bang for your buck.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3311 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3311 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 - F3313 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, June | 2013, February. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) | 102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9 mm (4.04 x 2.41 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~125 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 31.7 cm2 (~50.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB (1.6GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 65 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 511 h (2G) / Up to 518 h (3G) | Up to 608 h (2G) / Up to 700 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 1540 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, White | Indigo Black, Titanium silver, White |
| Models | F3311, F3313, C1604 | E430 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1243 (nominal), 2.386 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 69dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 575 | - |
Sony Xperia E5
- Excellent battery life (47h)
- Better performance due to newer chipset
- Superior display contrast
- More modern design
- May lack latest software updates
- Plastic build quality
LG Optimus L3 II E430
- Very affordable
- Compact size
- Outdated chipset
- Poor performance
- Low-resolution display
- Short battery life
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
The Xperia E5 boasts a significantly better contrast ratio (1243 nominal, 2.386 in sunlight) compared to the L3 II, which lacks detailed display specifications. This translates to more vibrant colors and better visibility, especially outdoors. The E5 likely has a higher resolution as well, further enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera details are limited for both, the Xperia E5 is generally expected to have a better camera due to its more modern chipset and Sony's reputation for camera technology. The L3 II's camera is likely basic and struggles in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Xperia E5's Mediatek MT6735 chipset with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU is a considerable upgrade over the LG Optimus L3 II's Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon S1 with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall performance on the E5.
Battery Life
The Xperia E5 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 47 hours. The LG Optimus L3 II's battery life is likely considerably shorter, given its older technology and less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia E5 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, long-lasting phone with a decent camera and a responsive experience for everyday tasks. The LG Optimus L3 II E430 is best suited for users with extremely basic needs and a very limited budget, primarily for calls and simple messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Optimus L3 II still usable in 2024?
While technically usable for basic tasks like calls and messaging, the LG Optimus L3 II is significantly outdated and struggles with modern apps and operating systems. Its performance is severely limited.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
The Sony Xperia E5 is the clear winner for photo quality. Its more modern camera hardware and image processing capabilities result in noticeably better photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
