The LG V50S ThinQ 5G, a former flagship, now finds itself competing in a drastically different market segment against devices like the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. This comparison examines whether the V50S’s initial premium hardware still holds up against the Poco X3 Pro’s more recent, performance-focused chipset, particularly for users prioritizing gaming and fast charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the better buy. While the LG V50S offers 5G connectivity, the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 delivers superior sustained performance and significantly faster 33W charging, making it ideal for gamers and power users on a budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 41 NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 215 g (7.58 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 | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 by Meridian Audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 21W wired, PD, QC3
9W wireless | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | LM-V510N | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 1100 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V50S ThinQ 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Wireless Charging Support
- Potentially Superior Image Processing (Flagship Heritage)
- Slower Charging Speed (21W)
- Older Chipset (Snapdragon 855)
- Likely Lower Sustained Performance
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Faster Charging (33W)
- More Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 860)
- Better Gaming Performance
- Modern Chipset Architecture
- No 5G Connectivity
- No Wireless Charging
- Potentially Less Refined Software Experience
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing for the V50S. The Poco X3 Pro’s display, while not explicitly detailed beyond the contrast ratio, benefits from a 120Hz refresh rate (a common feature in this price bracket), which the V50S likely lacks, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means they won't dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. The LG V50S, as a former flagship, likely boasts a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes, though this is speculative. The Poco X3 Pro’s camera system is likely tuned for vibrant, social media-ready images. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the V50S’s flagship heritage suggests a potential edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The mention of a 2MP macro camera on the Poco X3 Pro is a common inclusion, but rarely delivers significant value.
Performance
The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 represents a clear generational leap over the LG V50S’s Snapdragon 855. While both are 7nm chips, the 860 features a higher clocked Kryo 485 Gold core (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz) and improved thermal management. This translates to more sustained performance under load, crucial for gaming. The V50S’s CPU configuration, with its tri-cluster setup, may offer comparable multi-core scores in benchmarks, but the 860’s architecture is more efficient. The Poco X3 Pro is likely to exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the V50S’s 21W charging. The Poco X3 Pro can reach 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour, while the V50S will take considerably longer. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The V50S does offer 9W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Poco X3 Pro, but the slower charging speed limits its practicality.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50S ThinQ 5G if you absolutely require 5G connectivity on a tighter budget and value a more refined, albeit older, flagship experience. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize raw gaming performance, fast charging speeds, and a more modern chipset optimized for demanding tasks, even if it means sacrificing the 5G capability of the V50S.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its improved thermal management compared to the 855. While some throttling is inevitable, the 860 is designed to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, providing a more consistent gaming experience. The Poco X3 Pro also incorporates cooling solutions to further mitigate heat buildup.
❓ Is the LG V50S’s 5G connectivity still relevant, considering the rollout of 5G networks?
While 5G is becoming more widespread, the LG V50S utilizes older 5G technology. The Poco X3 Pro’s lack of 5G isn’t a major drawback for most users, as 4G LTE remains widely available and sufficient for most tasks. The benefit of 5G on the V50S may be limited depending on your location and carrier.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high frame rate gaming like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher) with optimized settings. The Adreno 640 GPU provides sufficient graphical power for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the LG V50S and the Poco X3 Pro?
The LG V50S runs LG’s UX, which offers a relatively clean and refined Android experience. The Poco X3 Pro runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, which is heavily customized and includes numerous features, but can also be more resource-intensive and include pre-installed bloatware. Software preference is subjective, but MIUI requires more user adaptation.
