The LG V60 ThinQ 5G offered a compelling flagship experience in 2020, but Verizon introduced a 'UW' (Ultra Wideband) variant. While visually identical, the core distinction lies in 5G band support. This comparison breaks down the nuances, revealing whether the UW model justifies its potential price premium for Verizon customers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users firmly within Verizon's 5G UW coverage area, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW is the clear winner, unlocking significantly faster speeds. However, for those outside of that footprint, or on other carriers, the standard LG V60 ThinQ 5G offers identical performance at a potentially lower cost.
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat22, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat22, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 26. Released 2020, March 20 | 2020, February 26. Released 2020, April 02 |
| 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 | 169.3 x 77.6 x 8.9 mm (6.67 x 3.06 x 0.35 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 (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 213 g (Global)/ 218 g (Verizon) (7.51 oz) | 218 g (7.69 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 conditions | 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 conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 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 Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 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) | 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) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, HDR10+, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, HDR10+, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 10 MP, f/1.9, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.22µm | 10 MP, f/1.9, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS | 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 | 32-bit/192kHz audio
24-bit/192kHz audio recording |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (USA model only) | FM radio (USA model only) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, QC4
Wireless | Wired, PD2.0, QC4
Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Classy Blue, Classy White | Classy Blue, Classy White |
| Models | LM-V600, A001LG | LM-V600VML, LMV600VML |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 870 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 103h
| - |
LG V60 ThinQ 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical performance to UW model outside of 5G
- Wider carrier compatibility
- Lacks access to Verizon's fastest 5G UW network
- May not be the best choice for Verizon 5G UW users
LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW
- Access to Verizon's 5G UW network for significantly faster speeds
- Optimized for Verizon's 5G infrastructure
- Identical core performance to standard V60
- Potentially higher price
- Limited to Verizon's network
- Slightly reduced battery life when actively using 5G UW
Display Comparison
Both the LG V60 ThinQ 5G and the UW model share a 6.8-inch QHD+ OLED display. While specific display calibration data isn't provided, LG's history suggests excellent color accuracy. The key difference isn't the panel itself, but the potential for 5G-related thermal throttling impacting sustained brightness. The Snapdragon 865's thermal profile will dictate how consistently peak brightness can be maintained during prolonged use.
Camera Comparison
The camera systems are identical between the two models. Both feature a triple-camera setup, though specific sensor details are not provided in the context data. The focus should be on image processing and software features, which are consistent across both devices. The absence of detailed sensor information prevents a deeper analysis of low-light performance or dynamic range capabilities.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means CPU and GPU performance will be virtually identical. The 7nm+ fabrication process offers a balance between performance and efficiency, but sustained performance relies heavily on thermal management. The UW model's 5G modem *could* introduce slightly higher power draw, potentially leading to more aggressive throttling under heavy load, though this is unlikely to be significant in most use cases.
Battery Life
Both the LG V60 ThinQ 5G and the UW variant boast an endurance rating of 103 hours, suggesting similar battery life. Both support Wired, PD2.0, QC4, and Wireless charging. However, the 5G modem in the UW model, particularly when actively connected to mmWave networks, will consume more power. This could translate to a slightly shorter screen-on time for the UW model, especially in areas with limited 5G UW coverage where the phone constantly searches for a signal.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V60 ThinQ 5G if you prioritize value, are not a Verizon 5G UW customer, or frequently travel outside of areas with mmWave 5G coverage. Buy the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW if you live and operate primarily within a robust Verizon 5G UW coverage zone and demand the fastest possible 5G data speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW support Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW likely supports DSS, allowing it to utilize both 5G UW and Verizon's nationwide 5G network (sub-6GHz) simultaneously. This ensures connectivity even when outside of mmWave coverage areas.
❓ Will the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW get Android updates as quickly as newer phones?
LG has since exited the smartphone market, meaning both the V60 ThinQ 5G and UW models have reached their end-of-life for major Android updates. Security patches may be limited or unavailable. Consider this when evaluating long-term software support.
❓ How much faster is 5G UW compared to standard 5G on the LG V60 ThinQ 5G UW?
Verizon's 5G UW, utilizing millimeter wave spectrum, can deliver speeds several times faster than standard 5G (sub-6GHz). In ideal conditions, users can experience multi-gigabit download speeds, but this is highly dependent on proximity to a 5G UW tower and minimal obstructions.
