LG V50 ThinQ vs. LG V40 ThinQ: A Detailed Comparison for Power Users
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG V50 ThinQ 5G is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 855 delivers a noticeable performance boost, and the significantly improved battery endurance (96h vs 64h) translates to a more reliable all-day experience. While the V40 remains a capable device, the V50's future-proofing with 5G and enhanced efficiency make it the better long-term investment.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V50 ThinQ 5G | LG V40 ThinQ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - V405QA7 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA | 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 |
| 5G bands | 41, 260, 261 NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - V405QA7 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 19 | 2018, October 03. Released 2018, October 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 158.8 x 75.7 x 7.6 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 169 g (5.96 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 min) 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 (~538 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~537 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | P-OLED, HDR10 |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, 27mm (wide), f/1.5, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3-axis OIS 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, 16mm (ultrawide), f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF | 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., HDR10 video, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1.4µm |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/48kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio | |
| 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 | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black | New Platinum Gray, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue |
| Models | LM-V500, LM-V500N, LM-V500EM, LM-V500XM, LM-V450PM, LM-V450 | V405, LM-V405, LM-V409N |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -94.1dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 96h | Endurance rating 64h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 194000:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 161500:1 (nominal), 4.256 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 343758 (v7), 421934 (v8) GeekBench: 10928 (v4.4), 2672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 254304 (v7) GeekBench: 8568 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Superior battery life (96h endurance)
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 855)
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Potentially higher price (depending on current deals)
- Larger size and weight compared to the V40
LG V40 ThinQ
- More affordable price point
- Excellent display quality with high contrast
- Versatile camera system
- Shorter battery life (64h endurance)
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 845)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
Both the V50 and V40 feature high-quality OLED displays with a 161500:1 contrast ratio, ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the V50 pulls ahead with a measured peak brightness of 533 nits, compared to the V40’s 4.256 (sunlight). This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the V50’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage in challenging lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature versatile camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking in the provided data. However, the V50’s Snapdragon 855 ISP (Image Signal Processor) offers improved image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. Given LG’s history, both likely excel in wide-angle photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the V50 benefits from the more advanced image processing pipeline.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the V50 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) while the V40 employs the Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 855’s smaller 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. The CPU architecture also differs; the V50’s octa-core configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) offers a performance edge over the V40’s (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver). This results in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and better sustained performance during graphically intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G boasts a significantly superior endurance rating of 96 hours compared to the V40’s 64 hours. This substantial difference is attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 855 and likely optimizations in power management. Both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 and PD2.0, achieving 50% charge in 36 minutes, and 10W wireless charging via Qi. The V50’s longer endurance, however, minimizes the need for frequent charging, making it ideal for heavy users.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50 ThinQ 5G if you prioritize future-proofing with 5G, demand consistently smoother performance for demanding apps and games, and value extended battery life. Buy the LG V40 ThinQ if you are on a tight budget and still want a premium LG experience with a capable camera system, and 5G connectivity isn't a priority.