Head-to-Head: LG G6 vs. LG V20

Head-to-Head: LG G6 vs. LG V20

LG is currently enjoying the media spotlight at the MWC 2017 thanks to the recent showcase of its new, darling of a flagship, the LG G6. Featuring top-of-the-line specifications for video and music connoisseurs, a sturdy but sleek (non-modular) build with plenty of real estate thanks to its QHD+ display and extra slim bezels, the LG G6 is the “return to form” that many have been waiting for.

In the arms race that is the smartphone industry, it’s only fitting that we pit the LG G6 against another of the company’s flagship offerings, the V20, and see who’ll come up top in the end. Unbox Editor-in-Chief John Nieves already did the comparative between the G6 and its predecessor, the G5, so if you’re looking for that match-up, head over to his article.

LG G6

  • 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor
  • Qualcomm Adreno 530 GPU
  • 4GB RAM
  • 5.7-inch QHD+ FullVision IPS display , 2880×1440 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 3-5
  • 32GB/64GB expandable storage, via microSD
  • Dual 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 rear cameras, f/1.8 & f/2.4 apertures, phase detection AF, OIS, LED flash
  • 5-megapixel front camera
  • Dual SIM
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS,
  • Fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port, Hi-Fi Quad-DAC (Korea), IP68 certification
  • 3300mAh non-removable battery, Quick Charge 3.0, wireless charging (US)
  • Android 7.0 Nougat (LG UX 6.0)

Related: LG G6 Hands-on, Initial Review: Back To Basics

LG V20

  • 2.15GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor
  • Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 5.7-inch QHD Quantum IPS display, 2560 x 1440 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 4
  • 2-1-inch secondary screen, 160 x 1040 resolution
  • 64GB expandable storage, via microSD
  • Dual rear cameras, 16-megapixel (f/1.8) sensor + 8-megapixel (f/2.4) sensor, wide-angle, laser AF, phase detection AF, contrast AF, OIS
  • 5-megapixel front camera, f/1.9, wide-angle
  • Dual SIM
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
  • Fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port, Hi-Fi Quad-DAC
  • 3200mAh removable battery, Quick Charge 3.0
  • Android 7.0 Nougat (LG UX 5.0)

Related: A Week With The LG V20: The Most Underrated Flagship Ever?

Firstly, let’s check on the phones’ chipsets. The LG G6 packs the more recent Snapdragon 821 quad-core CPU, which boasts around 10% better performance compared to the older 820. Both handsets GPUs and RAM capacities check out the same. Internal storage options between the two differ, though, as the G6 will be available in different flavors of 32GB and 64GB storage depending on the region.

On to the displays, we can see both the LG G6 and the LG V20 have the same, phablet size form factor at 5.7-inch. The two phones also feature IPS panels, with the LG V20 featuring a Quantum IPS screen – in a nutshell, a brighter, sharper, more vivid IPS technology. We’re not sure whether the G6 ships with the same Quantum IPS panel, though. Also, let’s not forget that little “ticker tape” secondary screen for notifications on the V20. That’s a feature that you rarely see on flagship handsets, and might be a pro or con, depending on the user’s tastes.

New in the G6 is what LG dubbed “FullVision” display, which is basically its QHD+ screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio. This unusual aspect ratio, paired with the LG’s slim bezels make the phone look longer and narrower.

For build concerns, the LG G6 is unusually clad in three different versions of Gorilla Glass, due to variance in thickness, purpose and probably cost-cutting as well. The G6’s front side is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which offers superior scratch resistance, at a thicker footprint compared to GG4 and GG5. Its cameras are clad in Gorilla Glass 4, which is thinner than GG3 but is more resilient against impact than scratches. Finally, the G6’s back case takes advantage of Gorilla Glass 5, which is the toughest and slimmest iteration yet. Why all the fuss? Again, it’s probably cost-cutting. Also, the G6 features IP68 dust and water resistance as well, making it oodles more resilient than the V20.

The LG G6 and V20 are both built with heavy multimedia users in mind, and their hardware configs are proof of that. Both handsets come equipped with a Hi-Fi Quad-DAC chip that will please audiophiles, though only the G6’s Korean version will have that feature. On the video side, the new G6 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, which are standards for High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture technology. HDR basically allows for a wider range of color, luminosity, darks and brights on displays, making images extremely vivid, detailed and immersive.

As for cameras, particularly the rear snappers, this is where it gets complicated. Looking at the spec sheet, both the G6 and the V20 come with dual rear sensors and are clad with the same high-end features such as Optical Image Stabilization and Auto Focus technologies. As for which is noticeably better, only a hands-on review of the G6 will determine that.

Everything else checks out mostly the same for both phones, except for the G6’s lack of a removable battery (which will definitely irk G5 owners wanting to upgrade) and newfound support for wireless charging (which will definitely irk users outside the US). The LG G6 will be the first phone to load LG’s UX 6.0 UI as well.

Pricing concerns, as well as the final judgment, will have to be discussed at a later date as LG has not yet announced any details regarding the G6’s pricing schemes. Expect a premium flagship tier tag, though. For now, we’re going to vote on the LG G6 as the better option if you’re looking for an LG flagship handset.

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