LG V20 Review
Introduction
Power user – this is a term associated with individuals who operate a computing device with advanced skills and elevated privileges. In other words, that is someone who knows their gadgets inside out and, more importantly, who knows how to make the most of them. The LG V10 was a phone suitable for that kind of folks. Released about a year ago in a limited number of markets, it was quite the unusual handset – large, rugged, and packed to the brim with outstanding features, including a secondary display, dual front-facing cameras, premium sound hardware, and full manual camera controls.
 |
To say the least, the LG V20 is a phone that tech enthusiasts, audiophiles, and media creators would be intrigued by, but does it live up to the high expectations that it sets? I spent some time in its company to find out.
Design
Durability over grace is the main theme with this extra-large handset.
When the team and I saw the LG V20 for the first time, it wasn’t a case of love at first sight. The phone appeared tough and manly, but lacked in elegance and sophistication, not unlike the Tumbler Batmobile. And you know what, I’d say that I’m okay with that, now that I’ve used the V20 for a while. Sure, it isn’t gorgeous, but what it lacks in grace, it makes up for in durability.
 |  |
 |  |  |
The LG V20 is built of 6013-series aluminum alloy – a light yet durable material used in the construction of boats and planes. The strips at its top and bottom are made of 24% stronger polycarbonate. And just like its predecessor, the phone is MIL-STD-810G transit drop compliant, meaning that it can withstand more physical abuse than a typical phone. Water resistance is missing, however, so don’t go selfie-snapping near a pool with this one.
One thing I should stress on is that the LG V20 is a large device. In terms of width and height, it ranks alongside the iPhone 7 Plus, the Nexus 6P, and its predecessor, the LG V10. Unlike the latter, however, the phone doesn’t feel top-heavy. It has a better-balanced weight distribution, which makes it more comfortable to handle than the V10.
 |
 |
Embedded in the power button is a fingerprint reader. It gets the job done, as it is fast and gets the reading right almost every time. You place your finger on it (without the need to actually press the power button) to unlock the phone, and if you just want to take a peek at your notifications, you can wake the phone for a few seconds with a double tap on the screen. This setup could use some improvement, however. As I take the phone out of my pocket, I naturally put my finger on the reader, yet a reading is only sometimes performed – at that moment, the scanner may still be disabled because the phone is not completely of my pocket yet. This means I have to wait to see if my finger got read, and if it didn’t, I have to lift it and place it again to unlock my phone.
You might have noticed that the LG V20 also has a small button on its side. Pressing it lifts the back cover, which in turn lets the user access the removable battery, as well as the SIM card and microSD card slots. While battery swapping can be considered a power-user feature, it is one I don’t mind having.
To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page.
Display
Small things also count, and the V20’s secondary screen has its uses. Some tweaking is required, however.
 |
Although the LG V20’s secondary screen is the one raising eyebrows, it is the primary one I’ll comment on first. Its main advantages are its large size and high resolution – traits that make activities like gaming, watching videos, or web browsing, a pleasure. On the downside, this is far from the most color-accurate display we’ve ever tested. With a color temperature around the 9000K mark, the screen makes whites appear blueish. Sure, the average user probably wouldn’t be bothered by that, but the flaw becomes glaringly obvious once you place the V20 next to a display with accurate color reproduction. A way around this drawback is to activate Comfort View mode on a low setting.
Now that I’ve mentioned it, Comfort View is a blue light filter built into the V20’s user interface. Studies have shown that blue light might be messing with our sleep, hence it is a good idea to have the feature activated at night. (Although a way to get a good night’s sleep is to not use your phone at all before bedtime.) And while Comfort View is nice having, it would have been better if I had the option for it to turn on automatically after sunset or at a predefined time.
That aside, night-time use is generally convenient, as the screen’s brightness goes sufficiently low. And when out in broad daylight, I’ve never had any issues with the screen’s visibility. It is bright enough to remain visible even on a sunny day.
Comments
Post a Comment