Lg K31 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

The LG K31 is a budget smartphone released in August 2020, aimed at consumers who want a basic smartphone experience without breaking the bank. With a price tag of around 130 EUR, the LG K31 is a popular choice for those who need a reliable device for everyday use.

Design and Build Quality

The LG K31 Rebel is a sleek and stylish device that comes in a gray color option. The phone has a plastic body that is well-built and feels durable. It has dimensions of 147.8 x 71.1 x 8.6 mm (5.82 x 2.80 x 0.34 in) and weighs 146 g (5.15 oz), making it easy to hold and use with one hand.

The LG K31 Rebel has a modern design with thin bezels that give it an 81.1% screen-to-body ratio. The phone features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio. The display is decently bright and clear, but it may not be as vibrant as some of its competitors in this price range.

The LG K31 Rebel has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor that is fast and accurate. The phone also features a dedicated Google Assistant button on the left side of the device, which is a unique addition to the phone's design.

Overall, the LG K31 Rebel has a solid build quality and an attractive design. The phone's plastic body may not feel as premium as some of its competitors, but it is well-built and feels durable. The phone's modern design and thin bezels make it look more expensive than it actually is. The LG K31 Rebel is a great option for those who are looking for a budget-friendly phone with a modern design.

Display

The LG K31 boasts a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio is good, at around 77.2%, and the pixel density is decent, at around 295 PPI. The display quality is pretty decent, especially for a budget device, and it offers good brightness levels and outdoor visibility.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are satisfactory, but not exceptional. The screen is not OLED, so it lacks the deep blacks and contrast that OLED displays offer. However, the colors are still vivid and the display is good enough for everyday use.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness are smooth and accurate, and scrolling through web pages and social media feeds is a breeze. The display features a 2.5D curved glass, which adds to the overall aesthetics of the device.

Overall, the display on the LG K31 is pretty impressive for a budget device. While there are certainly better displays out there, the K31's display holds its own and offers a good viewing experience for daily use.

Performance

The LG K31 is powered by the efficient MediaTek MT6762 Helio P22 chipset, which boasts an octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU. This combination enables the phone to handle everyday tasks with ease, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience. The device comes equipped with 2GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users, but may struggle with heavy multitasking or resource-intensive applications.

The phone's storage capacity is 32GB, which is average for its price range, but can be expanded using a microSDXC card. The LG K31 runs on Android 10 with LG UX 9.1, providing a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. The device's software is customizable, allowing users to personalize their experience to their liking.

In terms of gaming, the LG K31 can handle casual games with ease, but may struggle with more demanding titles. Benchmark tests reveal that the phone performs adequately, but falls short of the competition in terms of raw processing power. Real-world usage, however, shows that the device is more than capable of handling most day-to-day tasks.

Overall, the LG K31's performance is respectable for its price point, but may not satisfy power-users or gamers who require more advanced hardware. The phone's multitasking capabilities, while adequate, may be limited by its 2GB of RAM. However, for most users, the LG K31 offers a reliable and responsive experience that is more than sufficient for everyday use.

Software and User Interface

The LG K31 runs on Android 10 with LG UX 9.1 on top, providing users with a clean and easy-to-navigate interface. The phone offers a decent amount of customization options, allowing users to change themes, fonts, and icon styles to suit their preferences. The home screen is intuitive and features a simple app drawer, making it easy to access all installed applications.

The phone comes with a few pre-installed apps, which some users may find useful, while others might consider them bloatware. However, these apps can be uninstalled or disabled to free up storage space.

The LG K31 also features a user-friendly interface, with quick access to settings and notifications from the drop-down menu. The phone's software is optimized for smooth and fast performance, and multitasking is effortless thanks to the 2GB RAM and the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 chipset.

The phone's software support is decent, with LG providing regular security updates and bug fixes. While the phone is not guaranteed to receive Android updates beyond version 10, LG has promised two years of software updates for the K31.

Overall, the LG K31's software and user interface are user-friendly and optimized for smooth performance. The phone offers a decent amount of customization options, and its software support is satisfactory, making it a good pick for users who prioritize ease of use and performance over the latest software updates.

Camera

The LG K31 Rebel boasts a dual-camera setup at the rear, featuring a 13MP primary lens and a 5MP ultra-wide lens. The camera app is easy to use and offers various modes and settings, including HDR, panorama, and manual mode.

In daylight conditions, the camera captures decent photos with accurate colors and good detail. The ultra-wide lens is a nice addition, allowing users to capture more in a single frame. However, the image quality is noticeably lower compared to the primary lens, with some distortion at the edges.

In low light, the camera struggles to produce sharp and detailed images, and the lack of a dedicated night mode is disappointing. The LED flash is a helpful addition in low-light situations, but the resulting photos can be overexposed.

The front-facing 5MP camera is adequate for selfies, with decent detail and color accuracy. However, in low light, the quality drops significantly, with images appearing grainy and lacking in detail.

Overall, the camera performance on the LG K31 Rebel is decent for its price range, with a good primary lens and ultra-wide lens. However, the low-light performance could be improved, and a dedicated night mode would be a welcome addition.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

When it comes to connectivity and networking, the LG K31 offers a range of options that should satisfy most users. The phone supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, so you should be able to get a signal from most carriers. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n is also available, along with Wi-Fi Direct for easy file sharing. Bluetooth 5.0 is included, which should provide a reliable connection to other devices. Unfortunately, NFC is not supported, so you won't be able to make wireless payments with the K31. GPS is available for location tracking, but there is no radio feature. The phone also includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

In terms of sensor availability, the K31 has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is a nice security feature for unlocking the phone. There is no face unlock option, unfortunately. The phone also lacks water and dust resistance, so you'll need to be careful not to expose it to too much moisture or dirt.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features of the LG K31 are solid, but not exceptional. The lack of NFC and water resistance may be deal-breakers for some users, but for others, the phone should offer enough connectivity options to get by.

Additional Features

IX. Additional Features

The LG K31 offers a range of additional features that enhance the overall user experience. One of the most notable features is its MIL-STD-810G compliance, which means that it is built to withstand certain military-grade conditions. However, it is important to note that this does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions.

The phone also comes with expandable storage options, which is particularly useful for users who need to store large amounts of data. The microSDXC card slot allows users to expand the phone's memory up to 512GB, providing ample space for photos, videos, and other files.

In terms of audio quality, the LG K31 features a 3.5mm headphone jack and a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker delivers clear and balanced sound, making it ideal for hands-free calls or listening to music. The phone also supports Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, and LE, which allows users to connect to other devices and stream music wirelessly.

Another notable feature of the LG K31 is its rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which provides quick and secure access to the phone. The phone also comes with an accelerometer, which detects motion and orientation and enables features such as auto-rotate.

Overall, the LG K31 offers a solid set of additional features that complement its core functionality. While it may not be the most feature-packed device on the market, it provides a good balance of performance, features, and affordability.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the LG K31 to other related phones in its category, there are a few notable competitors worth mentioning. One such device is the Samsung Galaxy A01. Both phones share similar screen sizes and resolutions, with the Galaxy A01 offering a slightly larger display. However, the LG K31 has a more powerful processor and better camera capabilities, making it a better choice for users who prioritize performance and photography.

Another related phone that can be compared to the LG K31 is the Motorola Moto G Power. Both devices have similar battery capacities and storage options, but the Moto G Power boasts a larger screen and more premium build quality. However, the LG K31 has a more affordable price point, making it a more accessible option for budget-conscious users.

Lastly, the Nokia 5.3 is another device that can be compared to the LG K31. Both phones offer similar performance and camera capabilities, but the Nokia 5.3 has a larger screen and more modern design. However, the LG K31 has a more compact form factor, making it a better choice for users who prioritize portability and ease of use.

Overall, while the LG K31 may not be the most premium device on the market, it offers solid performance and a great value proposition for users who prioritize affordability and functionality.

Pros and Cons

XI. Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the LG K31 Rebel is a decent mid-range smartphone that offers a great value for its price. It has a sleek and simple design, decent performance, and a good camera system that can capture good quality photos and videos. Its battery life is also impressive and can last a full day with moderate usage.

However, the phone does have some limitations, such as the lack of water and dust resistance, NFC, and FM radio. The display could also be better, especially for those who enjoy watching videos or playing games on their phone.

Overall, the LG K31 Rebel is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable smartphone that can handle basic tasks and has a good camera system. It may not be the best option for heavy users or those who demand the latest features and technologies, but for its price point, it is definitely worth considering.