V20
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More82 Scores
Engadget
82
Critic 10 Reviews
8.2
Users 1 Reviews
Not yet scored
Key Specs
$672
The LG V20 is one of several flagship phones you can buy right now. And though we like it -- we gave it a score of 82 -- we recommend it with more caveats than usual. On one hand, the phone packs a Quad DAC and support for 24-bit high-resolution audio, making it a great choice for people who care about sound quality. Being a flagship, it also offers top-shelf components and it's one of the only phones available right now that runs Android Nougat. The 5.7-inch Quad HD display is also bright and crisp, though we're not sure the tiny secondary screen really adds much.
That all sounds great, but keep in mind that the dual camera setup trails the imaging experience you'll get on rival devices, including the iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7 or either of Google's Pixel phones. What's more, the V20 isn't waterproof -- a feature we've come to expect on high-end handsets -- and it's also difficult to use one-handed. All told, then, it's a good phone, just not necessarily your best option.
Engadget Score Key
LG V20
82
Pros
- Premium performance
- Excellent audio quality
- Bright, attractive screen
- One of the few phones to come with Nougat
- Removable battery!
Cons
- Dual-camera system could be better
- Second screen isn't that useful
- Not water resistant
- Tough to use with one hand
- Expensive on certain carriers
Summary
Don't let its dull looks fool you: Beyond the V20's flagship-level power and slightly tweaked version of Android Nougat is a device tailor-made for creatives. The V20 is an excellent media player (even with lossless files) and doubles as an impressive audio recorder. The dual-camera system still needs some work compared to LG's rivals, but at least shooting in manual mode is a pleasure. In the end, the V20 might be a must-buy for audiophiles, but everyone else should consider other options first.