In 2014, the LG L90 D405 and the vivo Y28 represented competing approaches to the budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a functional Android experience at an accessible price point, but they differed significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects the key specifications, focusing on the chipset and its impact on real-world performance, to determine which device offered the better value proposition.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2014, the LG L90 D405 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones utilize a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset generally offers superior GPU performance and potentially better software optimization, leading to a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - D405N |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, February. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.4 x 68.6 x 9.8 mm (5.41 x 2.70 x 0.39 in) | 131.6 x 66 x 9.7 mm (5.18 x 2.60 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 64.2 cm2 (~68.1% 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 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 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 | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 32 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | Up to 977 h (2G) / Up to 1012 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 24 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 21 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2540 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | White, Black |
| Models | Y28 | D405, D415 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y28 (2014)
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed (1.3 GHz)
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Mediatek chipset is widely supported
- Inferior GPU performance compared to Snapdragon 400
- Potentially less optimized software experience
LG L90 D405
- Superior GPU performance with Adreno 305
- Qualcomm’s chipset optimizations for smoother UI
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed (1.2 GHz)
- May have been slightly more expensive at launch
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price segment in 2014. Specifics like resolution and brightness are unavailable, but the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels were likely substantial on both, reflecting the design trends of the time. Color accuracy is expected to be moderate at best.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices was likely limited. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, given the market positioning, both likely featured relatively low-resolution primary sensors. Image quality would have been acceptable in good lighting conditions but would suffer significantly in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device further limits their low-light capabilities. Any claims of advanced features on either phone should be viewed skeptically.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG L90 D405 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400, while the vivo Y28 (2014) employs the Mediatek MT6582. Both are based on the ARM Cortex-A7 architecture and feature quad-core CPUs clocked at 1.2 GHz and 1.3 GHz respectively. While the vivo Y28 has a slightly higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 400’s Adreno 305 GPU provides a significant advantage in graphics processing. This translates to smoother performance in games and more responsive UI animations. Both chipsets are fabricated on a 28nm process, suggesting similar power efficiency, but Qualcomm’s optimizations often resulted in better sustained performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the relatively low-power chipsets and likely modest screen sizes, both phones would have likely offered all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds were likely slow, reflecting the lack of fast-charging technology prevalent in 2014. The Snapdragon 400’s potentially more efficient power management could give the LG L90 a slight edge in battery endurance, but this would be marginal.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y28 (2014) if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing, and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the LG L90 D405 if you anticipate slightly more demanding usage, such as occasional gaming or multitasking, and value a more responsive user interface thanks to the Snapdragon 400's improved graphics capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will either of these phones struggle with modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
Yes, both the vivo Y28 and LG L90 are significantly underpowered by today's standards. While basic functionality of apps like WhatsApp and Facebook will likely work, expect slow loading times, lag, and potential crashes, especially with newer versions of these apps. They were designed for a much simpler Android ecosystem.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed (1.2 GHz vs 1.3 GHz) noticeable in everyday use?
The 100 MHz difference in CPU clock speed between the LG L90 and vivo Y28 is unlikely to be noticeable in most everyday tasks. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 400’s superior GPU and software optimizations have a far greater impact on overall responsiveness and user experience than the slight CPU clock speed advantage of the Mediatek MT6582.
❓ Can either of these phones be upgraded to a newer version of Android?
Highly unlikely. Both devices were released in 2014 and likely shipped with Android 4.4 KitKat. Official software updates were probably limited, and attempting to install custom ROMs carries risks and may not be fully functional due to hardware limitations.
