LG V40 ThinQ Specs: Snapdragon 845 and 6GB RAM?

Yes, the LG V40 ThinQ launched with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM. This combination was the flagship standard for late 2018, placing the V40 directly against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Google Pixel 3 XL. The phone also featured a 6.4-inch OLED display, a triple-lens rear camera, and a 3,300 mAh battery.

Launch Date and Market Position

LG announced the V40 ThinQ on October 3, 2018, and released it later that month in South Korea and the United States. It was the company’s second flagship of the year, following the G7 ThinQ, and was positioned as a multimedia powerhouse. The V40’s main selling points were its five total cameras (three on the back, two on the front) and its large, bright OLED screen. At the time, it competed directly with the iPhone XS Max and the Galaxy Note 9, though it lacked some of the headlining features of those phones, such as a stylus or a 4,000 mAh battery.

Processor and Performance

The Snapdragon 845 was Qualcomm’s top-tier mobile chip in 2018. It was built on a 10nm process and featured eight Kryo 385 cores: four high-performance cores clocked at 2.8 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.7 GHz. Paired with the Adreno 630 GPU, the V40 handled demanding games, 4K video recording, and multitasking without issue. The 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM was generous for the era, though some competitors like the OnePlus 6T offered 8GB. In everyday use, the V40 felt fast, and the chip’s efficiency helped the smaller battery last a full day with moderate use.

Display and Design

The V40 featured a 6.4-inch P-OLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels) and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It had a notch at the top housing two front cameras, which was a common design choice in 2018. The screen supported HDR10 and could get very bright, making it excellent for watching videos. The phone had a glass back with a metal frame, a headphone jack, and a dedicated Google Assistant button on the side. It was rated IP68 for water and dust resistance and passed MIL-STD-810G durability tests, meaning it could survive drops from a reasonable height.

Camera System

The V40’s rear camera setup was one of its defining features. It included a 12MP standard lens (f/1.5 aperture), a 16MP wide-angle lens (107° field of view), and a 12MP telephoto lens (2x optical zoom). This allowed users to switch between three different focal lengths without moving. The front had an 8MP standard lens and a 5MP wide-angle lens for group selfies. The camera app included a “Triple Shot” mode that automatically captured a photo with all three rear lenses in quick succession. While the image quality was good, especially in daylight, the camera processing was not as consistent as the Pixel 3 or the iPhone XS, particularly in low light.

Battery and Charging

The V40 shipped with a 3,300 mAh battery, which was smaller than the 4,000 mAh packs found in many rivals. With the Snapdragon 845’s efficiency, the phone typically lasted a day, but heavy camera use or gaming could drain it faster. It supported Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 via USB-C, allowing a 50% charge in about 30 minutes with a compatible charger. It also supported wireless charging, though at a slower 10W speed. There was no reverse wireless charging, a feature that would appear on later flagships.

Software and Updates

At launch, the V40 ran Android 8.1 Oreo with LG’s custom UX skin. LG’s software was often criticized for being cluttered and having slow update rollout. The V40 received Android 9 Pie in late 2019 and Android 10 in 2020, but it never got Android 11. Security updates also became infrequent after two years. For a phone that was expensive at launch, the software support was a notable weakness compared to Google’s Pixel line or even Samsung’s promise of three years of updates.

Common Problems and Issues

Several users reported issues with the V40 that are worth knowing if you’re considering a used unit:

• Battery drain: The 3,300 mAh battery was adequate but not great, and after a few years, battery health degrades, leading to shorter life.
• Screen burn-in: OLED panels can suffer from burn-in, especially with the always-on display enabled. Check for ghost images on a used phone.
• Slow updates: As mentioned, LG was slow to push major Android updates, and the phone stopped receiving them after Android 10.
• Camera glass cracking: Some users reported the rear camera glass cracking without impact, though this was not widespread.
• Fingerprint sensor lag: The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor occasionally became unresponsive, requiring a reboot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the LG V40 ThinQ still worth buying in 2024?

Generally no. The phone is now several generations old and lacks 5G support, and its software is outdated. Security patches have stopped, and the battery is likely degraded. If you need a budget phone, newer mid-range models offer better performance and longer support. However, if you’re a collector or want a cheap phone with a headphone jack and a good display, a used V40 might be acceptable, but you should be aware of the risks.

Does the LG V40 have a headphone jack?

Yes, the V40 has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a highlight for audio enthusiasts. It also has a quad-DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that delivers high-quality sound when using wired headphones, a feature LG was known for.

How many cameras does the LG V40 have in total?

The V40 has five cameras: two on the front (8MP standard and 5MP wide) and three on the back (12MP standard, 16MP wide, and 12MP telephoto). This was marketed as a “five-camera system” and was a major selling point at launch.

Can the LG V40 be upgraded to Android 11?

Officially, no. LG stopped the V40’s update path at Android 10. However, the custom ROM community has developed unofficial Android 11 and even Android 12 builds, but these require unlocking the bootloader, which may not be possible on all carrier variants and voids warranty.

Does the LG V40 support 5G?

No. The Snapdragon 845 does not have a 5G modem. The V40 is strictly a 4G LTE phone. If 5G is important to you, you’ll need a newer device.

Final Verdict

The LG V40 ThinQ was a solid flagship in 2018, offering a great display, versatile cameras, and the Snapdragon 845/6GB RAM combo that defined that generation. Its main drawbacks were the smaller battery, slow software updates, and the lack of long-term support. Today, it is a phone for enthusiasts or those who value the headphone jack and DAC, not a practical daily driver for most people. If you’re looking for a modern phone, there are many better options, but as a piece of LG’s mobile history, the V40 remains an interesting device.

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