Lg K30 (2019) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my comprehensive review of the LG K30 smartphone. This is a budget-friendly device that was released in September 2019 and is still available in the market today. The LG K30 boasts of a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It also comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 3000mAh battery.

Design and Build Quality

The LG K30 smartphone boasts a simplistic yet elegant design that is sure to please users who prefer a no-fuss aesthetic. The phone measures 146.9 x 71.5 x 8.5 mm and weighs just 148 g, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. It features a glass front and plastic back and frame, giving it a premium look and feel without the added weight.

The LG K30's ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. The phone's physical buttons are well-placed and responsive, and the device offers easy access to its ports and SIM card slot. Additionally, the LG K30 is MIL-STD-810G compliant, which means that it has undergone rigorous testing for environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibration. However, it is important to note that compliance does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions.

Overall, the LG K30's design is simple, sleek, and practical. It is a budget-friendly device that offers users a pleasant and comfortable experience. Its construction is sturdy and well-made, making it a reliable choice for those looking for a high-quality device that won't break the bank.

Display

The LG K30 2019 features a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 295 pixels per inch. While this resolution is not the highest available in the market, it is sufficient for the phone's screen size. The phone's display is also framed in a 18:9 aspect ratio, which is becoming increasingly common in modern smartphones.

In terms of display technology, the LG K30 2019 uses an IPS LCD screen, which typically produces accurate and vibrant colors. The screen's color accuracy is satisfactory, with colors appearing true to life. The display's brightness is decent, but it may struggle under direct sunlight.

The LG K30 2019's touch sensitivity and responsiveness is also satisfactory, making the phone easy to use and navigate. The screen is also protected by a layer of scratch-resistant glass to prevent damage from minor scratches and scuffs.

Overall, the LG K30 2019's display offers a satisfactory viewing experience for its price point. While it may not offer the highest resolution or most advanced display technology, it is more than adequate for everyday use.

Performance

The LG K30 offers decent performance for its price point. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, which is capable of handling basic tasks such as browsing the web, streaming videos, and using social media apps. The phone comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded further with a microSD card.

In terms of multitasking, the LG K30 performs reasonably well. Switching between apps is smooth, and there is no noticeable lag or delay. However, when running multiple apps simultaneously, the phone may slow down a bit.

As for gaming, the LG K30 can handle simple games with ease, but it may struggle with more demanding games. Games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 may experience occasional frame drops and lag, but less demanding games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers run without any issues.

In terms of benchmark scores, the LG K30 scored 39,295 in AnTuTu, which is not bad for a phone in this price range. In real-world usage, the phone performs well enough for day-to-day tasks, but it may not be the best choice for power users or heavy gamers.

Overall, the LG K30 offers decent performance for its price, but it may struggle with more demanding tasks. If you're looking for a budget phone for basic use, the LG K30 is a good option. However, if you need a phone for heavy gaming or more demanding tasks, you may want to consider a more powerful device.

Software and User Interface

The LG K30 runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) with LG's own UI on top. The user interface is easy to navigate, and users can customize the appearance and layout of their home screens. The phone comes pre-installed with a few apps, but they can be easily uninstalled if not needed.

One notable feature is the "Smart Doctor" app, which helps users optimize the performance of their device by clearing cache and managing storage. This is a handy tool for those who want to keep their phone running smoothly.

The LG K30 also offers a "Comfort View" mode which reduces blue light emitted from the screen, making it easier on the eyes during extended use. The UI also supports split-screen mode, allowing users to run two apps simultaneously, which is especially useful for multitasking.

One downside is that the phone may not receive software updates as frequently as other high-end devices. LG has not indicated how long they will provide software support for the K30.

Overall, the software and user interface of the LG K30 are user-friendly and offer some useful features. However, the lack of consistent software updates may be a concern for some users who want to keep their device up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.

Camera

The LG K30 boasts an 8 MP, f/2.0 rear camera with LED flash, panorama, and HDR features that can record videos at 1080p@30fps. On the front, it has a 5 MP, f/2.2 selfie camera with LED flash. While these specs may seem underwhelming compared to the latest flagship phones, the cameras on the LG K30 are decent for its price range.

In good lighting conditions, the rear camera takes clear and sharp photos with accurate colors and good contrast. However, in low light situations, the image quality suffers from noise and loss of detail. The LED flash helps to improve the quality of low-light photos but can tend to overexpose the subject.

The front-facing camera is also capable of taking decent selfies with good color accuracy and detail when there is enough light. However, the LED flash on the front can sometimes result in washed-out photos.

Overall, the cameras on the LG K30 are suitable for basic photography needs, but they are not exceptional. If you are looking for a phone with a camera that performs better in low light, you may want to consider other options.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The LG K30 is a mid-range smartphone that offers a decent range of connectivity and networking options. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, providing users with reliable cellular connectivity. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n is also supported, allowing for fast and stable internet access. Bluetooth 5.0 is included, providing efficient and secure wireless connectivity for file transfers and other activities.

The phone also supports NFC, which enables contactless payments and allows users to connect and share data with compatible devices quickly. GPS is available for navigation and location tracking purposes, while the absence of a radio might be a downside for some users.

The LG K30 comes with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, which is a bit outdated compared to the newer USB Type-C standard but still gets the job done. The device does not come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, but an adapter is provided in the box for users who prefer to use wired headphones.

Overall, the LG K30 offers a decent range of connectivity and networking options, although it might not be the most advanced smartphone in this category. Nonetheless, it should be sufficient for most users who require reliable and efficient connectivity and networking capabilities.

Additional Features

The LG K30 boasts a few additional features that make it stand out in its price range. First and foremost, it is MIL-STD-810G compliant, meaning it has been tested to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and shock. While this does not guarantee ruggedness, it does provide some peace of mind for users who may subject their device to more strenuous conditions.

The phone also has expandable storage options, which is always a plus for users who need more space for their photos, videos, and apps. This is particularly useful since the device only comes with 16GB of internal storage, which may not be enough for some users.

In terms of audio quality, the LG K30 features a headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in newer smartphones. This allows users to easily listen to their favorite music or podcasts with their preferred headphones. The phone also has a loudspeaker, which produces decent sound quality.

While the LG K30 does not have any water or dust resistance ratings, it does offer NFC support, which allows users to use their phone for wireless payments and other NFC-enabled features.

Overall, the LG K30's additional features are practical and useful for everyday smartphone use. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices, it certainly holds its own in terms of functionality.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the LG K30 to other smartphones in its price range, the Samsung Galaxy A01 and Motorola Moto E6 are two devices that come to mind. Both are similarly priced and offer similar specifications.

The Samsung Galaxy A01 also features a 5.7-inch display and a dual-camera setup, with an 8MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor and 2GB of RAM. However, it has a smaller battery capacity at 3000mAh compared to the LG K30's 3500mAh battery.

The Moto E6, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 5.5-inch display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor and 2GB of RAM, which is comparable to the LG K30's specifications. It also has a single 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. However, it has a smaller battery capacity at 3000mAh compared to the LG K30.

Overall, the LG K30 offers a good balance of features and performance for its price range and stands out with its larger battery capacity. However, the Samsung Galaxy A01 and Moto E6 offer similar specifications and could be considered as alternatives depending on personal preferences.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

After a thorough review of the LG K30 smartphone, it's clear that this device is a budget phone without many bells and whistles. However, it has some features that make it an excellent phone for its price range.

The phone's design is simple and sleek, but it doesn't feel premium due to its plastic construction. The display is decent, but it could be brighter and more vibrant. The performance is average, and the camera quality is acceptable, but not impressive. The battery life is also mediocre.

However, the phone's affordability and expandable storage options make it a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's also a suitable device for those who don't use their phones heavily for gaming or demanding tasks. The phone's NFC support and customizable UI are also noteworthy features.

Overall, the LG K30 is a decent budget phone that offers good value for money. It's not the best phone on the market, but it's suitable for those looking for an affordable device with some basic features. However, for those who prioritize camera and performance, it may not be the best option.