LG V60 ThinQ Hands On and Apple iPhone SE vs. XR vs. 11 Comparison
If you want next-gen features but aren't feeling the four-figure price tags, you could try LG's new phone: the V60 ThinQ. It supports the new mobile network, packs a camera sensor with 64 megapixels for 8K recording, and comes bundled with the Dual Screen attachment—a case that adds a second screen to the phone, exactly like last year's G8X ThinQ.
The LG V60 ThinQ: Features and Performance
The phone goes head-to-head with Samsung on new features, but it's not very compelling. LG does nail most of the basics. The V60's high-res OLED screen is something I could stare at all day. It's marred only by a small notch housing the selfie camera. Powering it all is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor with 8 GB of RAM, which keeps performance slick. There's a bigger, 5,000-mAH battery inside, too, which should keep the phone powered for a reasonable amount of time. You get all of this and a headphone jack, something missing from all of Samsung's flagship phones. The headphone jack is even connected to a high quality digital-to-analog converter that keeps the audio sounding great.
What I'm not thrilled about is its size. The phone is built around an abnormally large 6.8-inch screen, which is just a smidge smaller than the one on Samsung's huge Galaxy S20 Ultra. While the second screen does turn the V60 ThinQ into a foldable phone of sorts, it comes at the cost of being bulky, heavy, and cumbersome. LG hasn't announced pricing yet, but the company says it will be priced in the ballpark of previous devices, so around $700 or $800.
Comparing the iPhone SE, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11
Apple fans on a budget have a lot of good options right now. Now that Apple's new iPhone SE is finally here, it poses some interesting questions for would-be iPhone buyers. At $399, it's by far the cheapest new, non-refurbished iPhone you can get directly from Apple. In the middle, there's still the iPhone XR, which costs $599. On the other hand, we have the iPhone 11, which starts at $699, a pretty phenomenal price point given its stellar camera and a set of features that's not very far from the $999 iPhone 11 Pro.
Display and Size Comparisons
The iPhone SE has an ancient design: a square display surrounded by massive bezels, with a Home button underneath. It contrasts strongly with the iPhone XR and the iPhone 11's notched display. The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch display, while the other two devices sport a 6.1-inch display. Regarding dimensions, the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 are exactly the same size: 5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 inches. The iPhone SE is considerably smaller, narrower and thinner, at 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches.
Processor and Internal Specs
In this department, the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 are exactly the same. Both come with Apple's latest A13 Bionic chip, and 64/128/256GB of storage. The iPhone XR has the older, A12 Bionic chip, and only comes with 64GB and 128GB of storage. It's worth noting that the processor is especially important when it comes to gaming. If you play a lot of games on your phone, both the iPhone SE and the 11 are better options than the iPhone XR.
Camera and Photography
The iPhone 11's dual camera is by far the best, with two distinguishing features: ultra-wide mode and Night mode. On paper, the iPhone XR and the SE's single rear camera have very similar specs, but Apple says that the iPhone SE's camera is actually better thanks to the new A13 chip. It certainly has more Portrait mode options than the XR.
Smartphone Specifications Overview
| Model | Display | Processor | Base Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG V60 ThinQ | 6.8-inch OLED | Snapdragon 865 | ~$700 - $800 |
| iPhone SE (2020) | 4.7-inch LCD | A13 Bionic | $399 |
| iPhone 11 | 6.1-inch LCD | A13 Bionic | $699 |
| iPhone XR | 6.1-inch LCD | A12 Bionic | $599 |
Refurbished Value: iPhone XR Deals
Apple is currently selling refurbished iPhone XR models with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB of storage at discounts ranging from $100 to $120. For example, a black, refurbished iPhone XR with 128GB costs $539. According to Apple, all refurbished iPhone models come with a new battery, new outer shell, and are backed by a one-year warranty. At these reduced prices, it's actually a decent value, especially if you want the new notched design and don't mind an older processor.