review LG V20

The LG V20’s greatest claim to fame is that it probably has whichever feature it is you’re looking for - and some that you didn’t know you wanted until now. 

Like its predecessor, the LG V10, it’s a total Frankenstein of a smartphone. Around the body of the V20, you’ll find two screens, three cameras and an abundance of other awesome hardware and software features that you likely won’t find elsewhere.

Additionally, it offers the drop-friendly qualities of its predecessor that we loved, but replaces the rugged design that we didn’t love so much with a more refined look. Its signature second screen is back, too, with more options for customization than before.

For those looking for a capable Android smartphone, the V20 answers the call and sits comfortably in the league of some other powerful options out there, like the short-lived Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and even the iPhone 7 Plus. However, the new Google Pixel outruns the V20 with its Snapdragon 821 chipset.

LG V20 SPECS

Weight: 174g
Dimensions: 159.7 x 78.1 x 7.6mm
OS: Android 7 Nougat
Screen size: 5.7-inch
Screen Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
CPU: Snapdragon 820
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Battery: 3,200mAh
Rear camera: 16MP+8MP
Front camera: 5MP

But outright comparing LG’s latest to more traditional smartphones is a bit unfair. After all, the V20 offers things that these phones, and many others, do not. Where else can you get a Nougat phone with a removable battery, four DACs, multiple wide-angle camera lenses and two displays - oh, and a 3.5mm port?

2016 has been a strange year in smartphones, wherein flying with one of the most-hyped flagships has been outlawed. We’ve also seen options like the iPhone 7 and Moto Z lopping off the 3.5mm - a divisive move against the legacy feature that has turned away many. 

So, it’s only fitting that the LG V20 - the year’s strangest phone in terms of its looks - is also one of the most inventive and feature-rich releases - even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing on some of its marquee features.