LG V60 ThinQ 5G vs. LG V40 ThinQ: Which LG Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The LG V40 ThinQ represented a high-water mark for LG's flagship ambitions in 2018, boasting a versatile camera system and a vibrant display. However, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G, released in 2020, arrived with a significant chipset upgrade and a focus on 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, helping you determine which LG flagship best suits your needs, especially considering the V40's now-lower price point.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers a substantial performance boost over the V40's Snapdragon 845, and the significantly larger battery provides an impressive 103-hour endurance rating compared to the V40's 64 hours. While the V40 remains a capable device, the V60 offers a more future-proof and enjoyable user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names LG V40 ThinQ LG V60 ThinQ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - V405QA7HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - V405QA72, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands-2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat22, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - V405QA7CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2018, October 03. Released 2018, October 162020, February 26. Released 2020, March 20
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 75.7 x 7.6 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)169.3 x 77.6 x 8.9 mm (6.67 x 3.06 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)213 g (Global)/ 218 g (Verizon) (7.51 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* Method 516.6, Procedure IV "Transit Drop" *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, HDR10P-OLED, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 650
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (standard), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/1.9, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 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-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, HDR10+, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1.4µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-10 MP, f/1.9, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/48kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)FM radio (USA model only)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi)Wired, PD2.0, QC4 Wireless
TypeLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsNew Platinum Gray, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan BlueClassy Blue, Classy White
ModelsV405, LM-V405, LM-V409NLM-V600, A001LG
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 700 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -94.1dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 64h Endurance rating 103h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 161500:1 (nominal), 4.256 (sunlight)-
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 77dB -
Performance AnTuTu: 254304 (v7) GeekBench: 8568 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

LG V40 ThinQ

  • Lower price point makes it accessible.
  • Excellent display contrast ratio (161500:1).
  • Still a capable performer for everyday tasks.

  • Significantly shorter battery life (64h endurance).
  • Older Snapdragon 845 chipset is less efficient.
  • Lacks 5G connectivity.

LG V60 ThinQ 5G

  • Massive battery life (103h endurance).
  • Powerful Snapdragon 865 5G chipset.
  • Future-proof 5G connectivity.

  • Higher initial cost.
  • Specific display details (brightness, color accuracy) are unknown.
  • May be harder to find new.

Display Comparison

Both the V40 and V60 feature high-quality displays, but detailed specifications are limited for the V60. The V40 boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 161500:1 (nominal) and 4.256 in sunlight, indicating excellent visibility even in bright conditions. While the V60's display specs aren't provided, it's reasonable to assume LG continued to refine its OLED technology, potentially offering improved color accuracy and brightness. The V60's larger size likely contributes to a more immersive viewing experience, but without specific nit ratings, a direct comparison is difficult.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, LG's history with the V series suggests a strong emphasis on camera versatility. The V40 was known for its triple-camera system, and the V60 likely builds upon that foundation. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. The V60's image signal processor (ISP), integrated into the Snapdragon 865, benefits from advancements in computational photography, potentially leading to improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The V40 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10nm), while the V60 steps up to the Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). This process node shrink is crucial; the 7nm+ process allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency. The V60's CPU configuration – a 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – represents a significant architectural upgrade over the V40’s Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the V60. The 5G modem integrated into the 865 also provides future-proof connectivity.

Battery Life

The V60's battery life is a clear winner. Its endurance rating of 103 hours dwarfs the V40's 64 hours. This substantial improvement is a direct result of the more efficient Snapdragon 865 chipset and likely a larger battery capacity (though specific mAh figures aren't provided). The V60 supports faster charging with QC4, while the V40 utilizes QC3 and PD2.0, offering 18W wired charging and 50% charge in 36 minutes. The V60's charging speed is likely faster, further enhancing its usability.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG V40 ThinQ if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and still need a solid, feature-rich smartphone experience. It's ideal for users who don't heavily game or rely on 5G connectivity. Buy the LG V60 ThinQ 5G if you demand the best possible performance, extended battery life, and future-proofing with 5G support. This is the phone for power users, mobile gamers, and those who want to take advantage of next-generation network speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the V60 ThinQ 5G get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 845 in the V40 during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 is more powerful, and therefore generates more heat under sustained load. However, the 7nm+ process and LG's thermal management design in the V60 are likely to mitigate throttling better than the V40's 10nm Snapdragon 845. Expect slightly warmer temperatures on the V60, but potentially more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the V60 ThinQ 5G worth the extra cost if I don't have widespread 5G coverage in my area?
If 5G coverage is limited, the immediate benefit of the V60's 5G modem is minimal. However, purchasing the V60 future-proofs your device for when 5G becomes more prevalent. The Snapdragon 865 also offers improvements in 4G LTE performance, so you'll still see benefits even without 5G access.
❓ How does the V60's charging compare to the V40 in terms of actual charging time from 0% to 100%?
While specific 0-100% times aren't available, the V60's support for QC4 and potentially higher wattage charging suggests a faster charging speed than the V40's QC3 and PD2.0 with 18W charging. Expect the V60 to reach full charge in a shorter timeframe.