LG V60 ThinQ 5G vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Performance and Value

The LG V60 ThinQ 5G, originally a flagship, now finds itself competing with mid-range contenders like the Google Pixel 5a 5G as prices have dropped. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two 5G-enabled devices, focusing on where the V60’s higher-end chipset translates to real-world benefits, and whether the Pixel 5a’s optimized software and battery life offer a more compelling package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and demanding tasks, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G is the clear winner, thanks to its Snapdragon 865. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G delivers superior battery life and a more refined software experience, making it the better choice for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names LG V60 ThinQ 5G Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat22, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, February 26. Released 2020, March 202021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions169.3 x 77.6 x 8.9 mm (6.67 x 3.06 x 0.35 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight213 g (Global)/ 218 g (Verizon) (7.51 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 IP68 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 conditionsIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, HDR10+OLED, HDR
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM modelNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual64 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)12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, HDR10+, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/1.9, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.22µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radio (USA model only)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, QC4 Wireless18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsClassy Blue, Classy WhiteMostly Black
ModelsLM-V600, A001LGG1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 700 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 103h Endurance rating 122h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG V60 ThinQ 5G

  • Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
  • Supports faster wired charging standards (PD2.0, QC4)
  • Potentially more versatile camera features (depending on sensor)

  • Shorter battery life compared to Pixel 5a
  • Older software support timeline
  • Larger and heavier design

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Excellent battery life for all-day usage
  • Superior camera image processing and software
  • Clean and bloatware-free Android experience

  • Less powerful processor for gaming and intensive tasks
  • Slower wired charging speed
  • Display brightness is good, but not exceptional

Display Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to the LG V60’s unspecified peak brightness. This translates to better outdoor visibility for the Pixel. While the V60 likely has a higher contrast ratio due to its OLED panel, the Pixel 5a’s ‘infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio suggests excellent black levels. Both devices lack high refresh rate displays, a common omission in this price bracket, but the Pixel’s superior brightness is a significant advantage for daily use.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable cameras, the Pixel 5a 5G excels in computational photography. Google’s image processing algorithms consistently deliver excellent dynamic range and accurate colors, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The LG V60’s camera hardware, while potentially offering more flexibility with features like manual controls, relies more heavily on the sensor and lens quality. Without specific sensor size data for the V60, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Pixel 5a’s software optimization gives it a distinct edge in still photography. Both phones lack telephoto lenses, limiting optical zoom capabilities.

Performance

The LG V60’s Snapdragon 865, built on a 7nm+ process, significantly outperforms the Pixel 5a’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The V60’s octa-core CPU, featuring a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz, provides a substantial advantage in demanding applications. The 765G in the Pixel 5a, while capable, is geared towards efficiency rather than outright speed. This difference is most noticeable in graphically intensive games and video rendering. The V60’s LPDDR4X RAM, while not the latest standard, is sufficient for its target performance, but the 765G’s efficiency may mitigate some of the performance gap in sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The Google Pixel 5a 5G demonstrates superior battery endurance with a measured 122-hour endurance rating, compared to the LG V60’s 103 hours. This difference is likely due to the more efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset and Google’s software optimizations. While the V60 supports faster wired charging with PD2.0 and QC4, the Pixel 5a’s 18W PD2.0 charging is adequate for its lower power consumption. The Pixel 5a’s longer battery life is a significant advantage for users who prioritize all-day usage without frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG V60 ThinQ 5G if you need uncompromising processing power for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and are willing to accept slightly shorter battery life. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize battery endurance, excellent still photography, and a clean, bloatware-free Android experience, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the LG V60 ThinQ 5G experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 in the LG V60 can generate considerable heat under sustained load. While the phone has cooling mechanisms, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. The Pixel 5a’s 765G is more efficient and less prone to throttling.
❓ How does the Pixel 5a 5G's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the LG V60 ThinQ 5G?
The Pixel 5a 5G consistently outperforms the LG V60 in low-light photography due to Google’s Night Sight mode and advanced image processing algorithms. Night Sight effectively reduces noise and enhances detail in dark environments, resulting in brighter and clearer images than the V60’s standard low-light performance.
❓ Is the lack of a microSD card slot a significant limitation on either device?
Both the LG V60 ThinQ 5G and the Google Pixel 5a 5G lack microSD card slots for expandable storage. This means users are limited to the internal storage capacity of the device. For users with large media libraries or who frequently record high-resolution videos, this could be a significant limitation.