Reliving the early days of smartphones, we're pitting two forgotten contenders against each other: the ZTE Warp Sequent and the LG Marquee LS855. These devices represent a snapshot of mobile technology from a bygone era, offering a unique look at how far we've come. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Warp Sequent edges out the LG Marquee thanks to its slightly faster processor and potentially better overall performance. However, both phones are severely limited by today's standards and are best suited for niche collectors or those seeking a truly retro experience. Don't expect modern smartphone capabilities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | CDMA / EVDO | CDMA / EVDO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, September. Released 2012, September | 2011, September. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 127 x 64.8 x 9.9 mm (5.0 x 2.55 x 0.39 in) | 122 x 64 x 9 mm (4.80 x 2.52 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 129.8 g (4.55 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~58.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| | - | Optimus UI, Gesture UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 4GB (2.6GB user available), 768MB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor | MP4/DivX/Xvid/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Document viewer
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 220 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h | Up to 6 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 1650 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Warp Sequent
- Slightly faster processor
- Potentially better performance
- More readily available (potentially)
- Outdated technology
- Limited app compatibility
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
LG Marquee LS855
- LG brand recognition
- Potentially slightly better display
- Retro design appeal
- Slower processor
- Outdated technology
- Limited app compatibility
- Poor camera quality
Display Comparison
Both the ZTE Warp Sequent and LG Marquee LS855 feature relatively small displays by today's standards, likely around 3.5-4 inches. Expect resolutions to be low (likely WVGA or similar), resulting in pixelated images. Screen technology will be older LCD panels, lacking the vibrancy and viewing angles of modern OLED or AMOLED displays. The LG Marquee might have a slightly better display due to LG's historical display expertise, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
Camera capabilities on both devices were rudimentary by today's standards. Expect low-resolution cameras (likely 3-5 megapixels) with poor image quality, especially in low light. Don't expect any advanced features like HDR or image stabilization. The LG Marquee might have a slightly better camera due to LG's historical focus on camera technology, but the difference will be marginal.
Performance
The ZTE Warp Sequent boasts a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU, while the LG Marquee has a 1.0 GHz CPU. This difference, though not massive, should translate to slightly snappier performance on the ZTE. Both phones will struggle with modern apps and multitasking. Expect noticeable lag and slow loading times. Gaming will be extremely limited to very basic titles.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely in the 1500-2000 mAh range for both devices. Battery life will be heavily dependent on usage, but expect a full day of very light use. Heavy usage (e.g., web browsing, video playback) will drain the battery quickly. Charging speeds will be slow, likely using micro-USB.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Warp Sequent is for collectors interested in Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 devices or those seeking a basic, functional phone for very light use. The LG Marquee LS855 might appeal to LG enthusiasts or those looking for a specific design aesthetic from the early 2010s, but its performance is a significant drawback.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones usable in 2024?
They can make calls and send texts, but modern apps won't work well. They're primarily for collectors or those seeking a very basic phone experience.
❓ What operating systems did these phones use?
Both likely ran Android 2.x or 3.x, which are severely outdated and no longer supported.