LG V20
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The LG V20 is a great phone, certainly the best out of LG - something that used to be reserved for the LG G line of devices. The design may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the attention to detail and the overall quality are undeniable. And the V20 isn't all about innovation - the phone upholds the high standard of being a flagship with a big display, a great camera, the latest processor, a fingerprint scanner and a quality build.”
“The V20 is able to run Android’s best apps and games without any hiccups, but it’s everywhere else that things get weird. As for battery life, it falls short of other phablets like the Pixel XL and iPhone 7 Plus, but if you’re eyeing this phone, you’ll probably have no problem carrying a spare battery in your pocket. In that case, sure, swapping batteries will get you way longer endurance than pretty much any other phone except for maybe the Moto Z Play. There's no wireless charging, but because it supports Quick Charge 3.0, the V20 refills very quickly when plugged in.”
“With two screens, a QUAD DAC, and dual cameras, the LG V20 is a productivity and media powerhouse that can fill the void for those who want more out of their smartphone.”
“The V20’s cameras are superb, the second screen is better and more helpful than the V10’s version, and the audio — whether it’s recorded on the phone or played back — is wonderful. It’s a shame the tough body isn’t waterproof, but the V20’s removable battery is unique and may sway a buying decision for some. We also welcome an entirely up to date build of Android installed right from the start. If a big-screen Android phone is what you want, the LG V20 is the one to buy (assuming “must explode” isn’t on your list of desirable features).”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
LG has never been one to shy away from breaking away from the pack. While they aren’t always successful, they always get people’s attention. With the LG V20, they’re hoping to top one of their most popular releases in recent years.
With a slew of exclusive features on the spec sheet, reviewers couldn’t wait to get their hands on this latest release. Does the phablet live up to the hype?
Let’s see what everyone is saying!
While reviewers had little to say about the looks of the V20, they were quick to point out a few innovative features. LG has made a metal phone with a removable back. Despite its large size, reviews show it’s easy to grip and use. Android Pit said, “The button layout has been designed well, so even those with small hands will have easy access.”
The fingerprint scanner on the rear doubles as the power button, allowing you to wake up your phone and unlock it in a single touch. Some reviewers noted issues locating the scanner with their finger. However, none mentioned any issues of sluggishness or low accuracy.
Unfortunately, they mentioned build quality was lower than expected—Particularly in areas where the plastic end caps and metal case met.
Reviews on the display were equally mixed. Gadget Review noted, “The V20’s display isn’t bad, per se, but the overall quality is definitely behind today’s standard for a high-end smartphones.” The biggest complaint from reviewers was contrast. But, most applauded the brightness.
Where the real debates came in was the Second Screen. Reviewers tested the phone expecting to feel apathetic about the small dynamic display at the top of the screen. By the end of most reviews, they ended up liking the screen, though few felt it was a must-have feature. Android Pit highlights this, saying, “It’s certainly not a necessary feature but it does add to the overall user experience. For example, you can see notifications while still watching a video.”
Performance was one area where reviewers had no trouble agreeing. With a quad-core 2.15GHz Snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM, the V20 packs the same power as many of 2016’s most popular flagship releases. GSM Arena, “There’s hardly a high-end smartphone you can get nowadays that would be slow. But as smartphones go, the LG V20 is one of the fastest around.”
You’ll also find 64GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards up to 2TB in size. You’ll have no problem keeping your music, apps, games and movies with you wherever you go!
As one of the first phones to ship with Android 7.0 Nougat, the phone offers access the latest and greatest Android features. Reviewers found that split-screen mode worked well and noted that they even received security patches nearly as quick as with their Pixel devices.
Some reviewers questioned the ability for the 3,200mAh battery to keep up with the beefy specs and massive screen on the V20. While it is firmly in the middle of the pack on battery life benchmarks, NDTV notes, “Battery life was excellent, and we were able to stretch to well over a day with normal usage including games and video streaming over 4G.” Quick Charge 3.0 support also offers an 80% charge in 30 minutes. Between that and the fact you can swap out the battery, there’s little need to worry.
The V20 sports an interesting dual-camera setup on the rear. There’s a normal 16MP lens with optical image stabilization and phase detection autofocus paired with an 8MP wide-angle lens. While reviewers loved the ability to create shots, many noted that the 8MP wide-angle lens wasn’t great in low-light or for capturing fine details. GSM Arena said, “The LG V20 has one of the best snappers on the market. Photos have vibrant colors, low noise, and loads of detail, not in small part to the higher 16MP resolution.”
Reviewers were also satisfied with the adjustable 5MP front facing lens. However, some noted that the wide-angle mode introduced heavy distortion toward the edges of the frame, limiting the feature’s usefulness.
The final feature touted by LG is the quad DAC 32-bit auto in the V20. Gadget Review noted, “Using high-end headphones, tunes via the SABRE DAC were discernibly richer, clearer, and more articulated than the stock DAC.” Reviewers without high-end headphones noticed little difference. Your experience is likely to depend on your audio accessories.
The phone also includes a 24-bit, three-mic recording array. Android Pit put this feature to the test and declared, “The result is fantastic and this is definitely the best smartphone for people who make audio recordings. Even in noisy environments it still performs well.”
Overall, reviewers had plenty of love for the V20. Android Pit summed up opinions well, saying, “In short, the V20 has a lot to offer users who were scared away from the Galaxy Note 7. Throw in Android 7.0 Nougat and you can really see the appeal.”
What people actually want to know
When was the LG V20 released?
The LG V20 was released on September 30, 2016.
How long does the battery last on the LG V20?
The LG V20 has a 3,200 mAh battery.
Does the LG V20 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the LG V20 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the LG V20 have NFC?
Yes, the LG V20 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I download the LG V20 manual?
You can view and download the LG V20 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Hi Steven. Try to turn on mobile data for a few seconds then try downloading the text pictures.