- The latest LG smartphone doesn't have smooth curves and a high screen refresh rate like most handsets, and its camera notch seems old-fashioned
- Its software allows for efficient multitasking, and is great for media creation and consumption, and the battery lasts all day
LG smartphones used to be among the leaders in pushing cutting-edge hardware. They were the first to push for higher 2K screen resolution, wide-angle cameras, and bezel slimming.
But in recent years, due to a combination of cutthroat competition, bad timing, and design fumbles (the infamous G5 modular flop), LG's sales have taken a hit.
LG's latest release, the V60 ThinQ 5G Dual Screen, is now sticking (almost) to tried-and-true components that place value and practicality over flashiness.
Design and hardware
The basic standards of 2020 Android flagship phones have pretty much been set: more curves, a higher refresh rate and, in some cases, foldable.
LG's V60 is the exception. Instead of curves, the V60 has a utilitarian feel, with an aluminium frame. It can fold too, although in a more traditional way.
Other Android phones have shaved their aluminium frames down to a sliver. When you grab a Huawei P40 Pro or Samsung Galaxy phone, you're feeling mostly glass. When you hold the V60, you feel the metal railings.
The 6.8-inch OLED screen also refreshes at "just" the standard 60Hz rate, and uses a small screen cut-out to house the 10-megapixel selfie camera instead of following the new hole-punch trend. The cut-out is just an outdated, inferior design.
The rest of the hardware also takes this utilitarian, function-over-flash approach. The Snapdragon 865 chip is paired with 8GB of RAM, which is more than enough for 99 per cent of users.
There is still a headphone jack, connected to an audiophile-quality Hi-Fi DAC (digital to analogue converter).
The phone is meant to be used with its Dual Screen attachment " essentially a plastic phone case with a screen on the inside cover " that turns the unit into a more traditional "foldable phone".
Software and features
The V60, when plugged into the Dual Screen case, is a very capable multitasking machine due to LG's intelligent software. Each screen can run a separate app, and they can swap places with gestures or button taps. New this year is the ability to open a single Google app on both screens, creating an effect rather like using a large tablet, except for the obvious thick plastic bezel in the middle.
This feature was available on LG's last two dual-screen phones, but mostly limited to LG's own apps. This expansion to include Google's suite of apps is much welcomed. Google Maps, in particular, appears more immersive on a larger canvas. YouTube, however, doesn't work well, as the large gap between two screens is too distracting in videos.
As a stand-alone phone, the V60 performs as expected. Running Android 10 with LG's skin on top, it's a fast and enjoyable experience.
Performance and battery life
The LG V60 is excellent for media consumption and creation. The large screen looks great in all lighting conditions, and the phone has loud stereo speakers. With the Dual Screen case, one can watch a movie on one screen while using the second screen to chat with friends or surf the web. And the headphone jack should keep audiophiles with their pricey headphones happy.
For media creation, the V60 has a capable triple camera system, paired with four microphones. The main 64-megapixel camera can capture video with resolution up to 8K, and the quad mics pull in a fuller sound. The iPhone is still way ahead as a video camera (its stabilisation has not been matched), but the V60 has probably the best video camera in Android.
Still photography, however, is a mixed bag. The main camera is great during the day, but struggles at night compared to what the latest Huawei and Oppo handsets latest can do. The lack of a telephoto lens means zoom shots can't rival those shot using other phones.
Because the V60 has a screen that's less power-hungry than other screens on the market, the 5,000 mAh battery simply goes much further. Even using the device in dual-screen mode with regularity, the battery can go an entire 13-hour day and still finish safely with more than 30 per cent of juice left. If I use the V60 by itself, two days of battery life is possible.
Conclusion
What the V60 lacks in cutting-edge tech, it makes up for with practical performance. This is a phone that should survive more drops, last longer on a single charge, and cost less than others.
In the US, the V60 plus the Dual Screen accessory is a packaged deal for US$800. I expect prices in Hong Kong and other regions to be similar. This is a good deal, considering other flagship phones routinely top the US$1,100 mark.
Dimensions: 169.3mm x 77.6mm x 8.9mm (just phone); 175.9mm x 86mm x 14.9mm (with Dual Screen case)
Weight: 214g (phone); 350g (with Dual Screen case)
Display: 6.8-inch, 2,460 x 1,080 OLED (both phone and case have same panel)
Battery: 5,000 mAh
OS version reviewed: Android 10 with LG's UI on top
Processor: Snapdragon 865
Cameras: 64-megapixel main camera; 13-megapixel ultrawide lens; TOF depth sensor; 10-megapixel front-facing camera
Memory: 128GB (with expandable storage support); 8GB RAM
Colours: blue, white
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