Released in the same era of budget Android expansion, the vivo Y27 (2014) and LG L90 D405 represent attempts to deliver smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. Both devices rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 series, but subtle architectural differences in their respective chipsets – the MSM8916 and MSM8226 – dictate real-world performance and user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to help you understand which phone offered the better value in 2014, and how those choices hold up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the LG L90 D405 edges out the vivo Y27 (2014). While both utilize a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, the LG’s Snapdragon 400, employing Cortex-A7 cores, offers a slight architectural advantage in single-threaded performance, making it more responsive for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - D405N |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, February. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 136.9 x 68.1 x 7 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.28 in) | 131.6 x 66 x 9.7 mm (5.18 x 2.60 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~70.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 306 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP or 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 1.3 MP/ VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 32 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 410 h (3G) | Up to 977 h (2G) / Up to 1012 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 24 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 21 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | 2260 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2540 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | White, Black |
| Models | Y27L | D405, D415 |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y27 (2014)
- Slightly newer chipset generation (Snapdragon 410)
- Potentially better software support (depending on vivo's update policy)
- Similar battery life to the LG L90
- Cortex-A53 architecture offers lower single-core performance
- Likely similar camera performance to the LG L90
- Limited availability of accessories
LG L90 D405
- Cortex-A7 architecture provides better single-core performance
- Potentially more responsive user interface
- LG’s software features (at the time) were generally well-regarded
- Older chipset generation (Snapdragon 400)
- Potentially limited software support now
- Similar camera performance to the vivo Y27
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a particularly impressive display. Given the era, both likely feature 480x800 resolution panels around 4.7-5 inches. The lack of detailed display specifications necessitates focusing on the processing power needed to drive the UI. The slightly more efficient CPU in the Y27 *could* translate to marginally better battery life during screen-on time, but this is highly dependent on software optimization.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely featured 5-8MP rear cameras and a 2MP front-facing camera, typical for this price range in 2014. Image quality would have been heavily reliant on software processing, and neither device would compete with modern smartphone cameras. The aperture and sensor size are unknown, making it impossible to assess low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device would have offered minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The vivo Y27 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 with quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, while the LG L90 employs the MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 with quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. While clock speeds are identical, the Cortex-A7 architecture found in the Snapdragon 400 is older but generally offers better single-core performance than the Cortex-A53. This means the LG L90 will likely feel snappier when launching apps or navigating the UI. Both chipsets are built on a 28nm process, suggesting similar thermal characteristics. Neither device is suited for demanding tasks like modern gaming.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the similar chipsets and screen sizes, battery life is likely comparable – around 2000-2500 mAh. Charging speeds would have been slow by today’s standards, likely taking several hours to fully charge. The slightly more efficient Cortex-A7 architecture in the LG L90 *could* provide a small advantage in battery endurance, but software optimization plays a larger role.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y27 (2014) if you prioritize a slightly newer device within this generation of budget phones, and are comfortable with potentially limited software support. Buy the LG L90 D405 if you value a marginally more responsive user interface due to the Cortex-A7 architecture, and appreciate LG’s historically robust (though now discontinued) software features for the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will either of these phones run modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook smoothly?
While both phones can likely run older versions of WhatsApp and Facebook, performance will be sluggish and unreliable with the latest versions. These phones lack the RAM and processing power to handle the demands of modern apps effectively. Expect frequent crashes and slow loading times.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 410 a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 400 in the vivo Y27?
Not significantly. While the Snapdragon 410 is a newer generation, the architectural shift to Cortex-A53 cores doesn't translate to a substantial performance gain over the Cortex-A7 cores in the Snapdragon 400. The LG L90’s CPU will likely feel more responsive in everyday tasks.
❓ Can I expect any software updates for either of these phones?
Highly unlikely. Both phones are several years old, and manufacturers typically cease software support after a few years. Any remaining updates would likely be security patches, and even those are unlikely to be released at this point.
