LG V40 ThinQ vs. LG V30: Which LG Flagship Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG V40 ThinQ is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the V30’s Snapdragon 835, and while battery life is shorter, the faster charging and overall responsiveness make it a more compelling daily driver. However, the V30’s exceptional battery endurance remains a strong point for power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V40 ThinQ | LG V30 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - V405QA7 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - V405QA7 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - V405QA7 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018, October 03. Released 2018, October 16 | 2017, August 31. Released 2017, December 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.8 x 75.7 x 7.6 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.30 in) | 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm (5.97 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~537 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | P-OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.6, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3-axis OIS 13 MP, f/1.9, 12mm (ultrawide), no AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, 27mm (standard), f/1.5, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3-axis OIS 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, 16mm (ultrawide), f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1.4µm | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/48kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio B&O Play certified 24-bit/48kHz audio recording | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | Stereo FM radio with RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi) | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Platinum Gray, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue, Lavender Violet, Raspberry Rose |
| Models | V405, LM-V405, LM-V409N | H930, H931, H932, H933, VS996, US998, LS998U, LGM-V300L, LGM-V300K, LGM-V300S, LS998, AS998, H932PR, L-01K, H930DS |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -94.1dB | Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 64h | Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 161500:1 (nominal), 4.256 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 207000 (nominal), 4.022 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 77dB | Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 84dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 254304 (v7) GeekBench: 8568 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 182374 (v7) GeekBench: 6365 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V40 ThinQ
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- More versatile triple-camera system
- Faster charging speeds
- Potentially more efficient display driver
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Potentially higher price point
LG V30
- Exceptional battery endurance
- High contrast ratio display
- More affordable price (likely)
- Slightly more compact form factor
- Slower processor
- Less versatile camera system
Display Comparison
Both the V40 and V30 feature excellent displays, but subtle differences exist. The V30 boasts a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio of 207000:1 compared to the V40’s 161500:1, suggesting potentially deeper blacks. However, both achieve a sunlight contrast ratio around 4.0-4.2, indicating similar outdoor visibility. The V40’s display benefits from the newer processor’s ability to drive it more efficiently, potentially leading to smoother animations. While both displays are excellent, the V40’s panel is likely more power-efficient due to the chipset improvements.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed for their camera capabilities, but the V40 significantly expands on the V30’s foundation. While both offer photo and video recording, the V40 introduces a triple-camera system, adding an ultra-wide lens to the standard and telephoto lenses. This provides greater compositional flexibility. Although the context data doesn’t detail sensor sizes, the V40’s additional lens and improved image processing capabilities, driven by the Snapdragon 845’s ISP, result in more versatile and higher-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. The V30’s camera remains capable, but lacks the breadth of options offered by the V40.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The LG V40 ThinQ utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10nm), featuring an octa-core CPU clocked up to 2.8 GHz, while the V30 relies on the Snapdragon 835 (10nm) with a peak CPU speed of 2.45 GHz. This translates to a tangible performance advantage for the V40, particularly in graphically intensive applications and multitasking. The 845’s Kryo 385 cores offer improved efficiency and performance compared to the Kryo cores in the 835. While both use 10nm fabrication, the architectural improvements in the 845 provide a clear edge.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the V30 shines. With an endurance rating of 93 hours, it significantly outperforms the V40’s 64 hours. This difference is primarily due to the more efficient Snapdragon 835 and potentially a slightly larger battery capacity (not specified in the data). However, the V40 compensates with faster charging – both support 18W wired charging with QC3 and PD2.0, reaching 50% in 36 minutes, and 10W wireless charging. The V30’s longer endurance is ideal for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency, while the V40’s faster charging mitigates the shorter battery life for those who don’t mind plugging in more often.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V40 ThinQ if you prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a more advanced camera system with greater versatility. Buy the LG V30 if maximizing battery life is your top concern, and you prefer a slightly more compact form factor without sacrificing flagship-level features. The V30 is also a strong contender for users seeking a more affordable premium experience.