LG V50 vs V50S: A Deep Dive into LG’s 5G Flagship Iterations
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG V50S ThinQ 5G is the superior choice. The faster 21W charging, while not revolutionary, noticeably reduces charging times compared to the V50’s 18W system. Given the similar pricing often found today, the V50S’s charging advantage makes it the more practical option.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V50 ThinQ 5G | LG V50S ThinQ 5G |
| 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 |
| 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, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 260, 261 NSA | 41 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 Cat19 1600/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 19 | 2019, October. Released 2019, October |
| 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 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 192 g (6.77 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) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | 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 (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (standard), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 9mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 | - |
| 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., 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 | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned by 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi) | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black | Aurora Black |
| Models | LM-V500, LM-V500N, LM-V500EM, LM-V500XM, LM-V450PM, LM-V450 | LM-V510N |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 1100 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 96h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 194000:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 343758 (v7), 421934 (v8) GeekBench: 10928 (v4.4), 2672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Slightly faster wireless charging (10W vs 9W)
- Proven 96-hour battery endurance
- Potentially lower price point in the used market
- Slower wired charging (18W)
- May be harder to find in good condition
LG V50S ThinQ 5G
- Faster wired charging (21W)
- Refined charging efficiency
- Likely better availability
- Slightly slower wireless charging (9W)
- Identical battery endurance to V50
Display Comparison
Both the LG V50 and V50S feature the same display technology, offering a peak brightness of 533 nits as measured. The impressive 194000:1 contrast ratio ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors. While neither phone boasts the latest advancements like LTPO for variable refresh rates, the display quality is still excellent for everyday use and media consumption. The identical display specs mean neither phone offers a visual advantage.
Camera Comparison
The context data provides limited detail on the camera systems beyond 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Given the V50S is a refinement, it’s reasonable to assume LG may have tweaked the image processing algorithms for slightly improved results, but without detailed sensor information or sample comparisons, this remains speculative. The absence of details regarding sensor size or aperture makes a definitive camera comparison impossible based on the provided data. Users should not expect significant camera improvements with the V50S.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) chipset, featuring the same octa-core CPU configuration. This means performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming will be virtually indistinguishable between the two. The lack of a newer chipset means both phones will show their age against current flagships, but remain capable for most mainstream applications. Thermal management will likely be similar, as the core processing power is identical.
Battery Life
The LG V50 boasts a 96-hour endurance rating, a testament to its efficient power management. However, the V50S introduces a faster 21W wired charging solution compared to the V50’s 18W system, both supporting PD and QC3. While the V50S’s wireless charging is slightly reduced to 9W from the V50’s 10W, the faster wired charging is a more significant benefit for most users. The V50 takes 36 minutes to reach 50% charge, while the V50S will achieve this faster, though a precise time isn't provided.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50 ThinQ 5G if you prioritize maximizing battery endurance and can tolerate slower charging speeds. Its 96-hour endurance rating remains competitive. Buy the LG V50S ThinQ 5G if you value quicker top-ups and appreciate the convenience of faster wired charging, especially if you frequently find yourself needing to recharge during the day.