When it comes to choosing between the LG V30 and V60, there are a few key factors to consider to determine which phone is the better option for you. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll look at the specs, features, performance, battery life, camera quality, software support, and overall value of these two LG flagships to help you decide if the older V30 or newer V60 is the best choice.
Specs and Hardware
The LG V30 was released in 2017, while the V60 debuted in 2020. As you’d expect, the newer V60 has upgraded hardware and improved specs across the board compared to the V30.
Here’s an overview of the core hardware differences:
| Specification | LG V30 | LG V60 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Display | 6.0-inch P-OLED (2880 x 1440) | 6.8-inch P-OLED (2460 x 1080) |
| Battery | 3,300 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
As you can see, the V60 has a faster Snapdragon 865 chipset compared to the 835 in the V30. It also doubles the RAM at 8GB and offers twice the base storage at 128GB. The V60’s display is bigger at 6.8-inches, though it has a lower pixel resolution than the sharper QHD panel on the V30.
But the biggest difference is in the batteries – the V60 has a huge 5,000 mAh battery which dwarfs the 3,300 mAh capacity of the V30. This points to vastly improved battery life on the V60.
Performance
With its newer processor and extra RAM, the V60 is significantly faster and more powerful than the aging V30. Apps open quicker, multitasking is smoother, and heavy games run at higher frame rates on the V60 thanks to the Snapdragon 865 and Adreno 650 GPU.
Benchmarks also reveal a sizeable performance advantage for the V60. It earns a score of 919,766 on AnTuTu compared to just 180,682 for the LG V30. For perspective, that’s over 5x higher score demonstrating the large performance gap between these two generations of processors.
Both phones offer flagship-level performance for their time. But the V60’s newer chipset makes it much snappier and faster for today’s demanding apps and games.
Design
The V30 and V60 share some design similarities but also have notable differences.
Both phones have a metal frame and glass back for a premium high-end feel. The rear cameras are arranged vertically in the top center on both models. The V60 is bigger and heavier due to its larger display and battery.
However, the V60 opts for a centered hole-punch selfie camera instead of the top bezel on the V30. The V30 also has a unique floating bar feature that acts as a shortcut dock when tapped.
The V60 is IP68 water and dust resistant, while the V30 is IP67 rated. So the V60 offers slightly better protection against water immersion up to 1.5m depth.
As far as colors, the V30 comes in black, silver, blue, violet, and reddish colors. The V60 is sold in classy blue and white color options.
For ports, the V30 keeps the 3.5mm headphone jack which many users appreciate. However, the V60 follows modern trends and omits the headphone jack in favor of USB-C audio and Bluetooth headsets.
Display
The displays on these two phones actually share quite a bit in common. They both use sharp P-OLED panels with HDR10 support and always-on display functionality.
But the V60’s screen is noticeably larger at 6.8-inches vs 6.0-inches on the V30. It’s taller with a modern 20.5:9 aspect ratio. Yet resolution is lower at 2460 x 1080 pixels compared to the V30’s crisper 1440p resolution.
Screen quality is excellent on both with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high brightness levels. The V60 does have the advantage in size for more immersive multimedia viewing. But the V30’s display still holds up well and has great clarity thanks to the higher pixel density.
Battery Life
For battery life, the LG V60 is the clear winner. It packs a huge 5,000 mAh battery that delivers at least 1.5 days of use per charge. Even heavy users can get through a full day without issue.
In comparison, the smaller 3,300 mAh battery in the V30 will last through a day for light users. But heavier use will likely require charging it up in the afternoon or evening.
In Drain Test results, the V60 lasted an excellent 16 hours and 9 minutes of continuous video streaming over WiFi at maximum brightness. Meanwhile, the V30 managed just 10 hours in the same test – nearly 6 hours less than the V60.
The V60 also offers faster wired charging at up to 27W speeds with Quick Charge 4.0+ compared to just 15W on the V30. And it has wireless charging support too unlike the V30.
For battery life, the LG V60 is the undisputed champion with nearly 2-day longevity per charge along with quicker wired and wireless charging capabilities.
Camera
The V60 has a clear advantage for cameras as well with its newer and more versatile triple camera system.
Rear Cameras
| LG V30 Rear Cameras | LG V60 Rear Cameras |
|---|---|
| 16MP Standard (f/1.6) | 64MP Standard (f/1.8) |
| 13MP Wide Angle (f/1.9) | 13MP Ultra Wide (f/1.9) |
| N/A | Time-of-Flight (ToF) Sensor |
The main camera on the V60 has a higher 64MP resolution compared to the 16MP sensor on the V30. This allows for crisper details and the ability to digitally zoom in much further while maintaining clarity.
Both have 13MP ultra wide cameras for fitting more into the frame. But the V60 adds a ToF sensor for advanced depth mapping for portrait shots.
Overall, the V60 simply captures finer detail, less noise, and better dynamic range versus the V30’s aging cameras. And new features like Night View mode produce shockingly good low light performance on the V60 as well.
Front Cameras
| LG V30 Front Camera | LG V60 Front Camera |
|---|---|
| 5MP | 10MP |
For selfies and video calling, the V60 provides a higher 10MP front camera resolution compared to the V30’s 5MP front sensor. So your face will look sharper and more detailed on the V60 during video chats and conferences.
LG packs more megapixels and better quality sensors into the V60 compared to the older V30. The newer phone captures noticeably better photos and videos overall in any lighting conditions.
Video Recording
A key selling point of the V series phones has always been advanced manual video controls inherited from LG’s expertise in TV and display technology.
Both the V30 and V60 allow toggling settings like bitrate, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus, and more. This gives mobile videographers granular control when filming for YouTube, social, etc.
But the V60 can record in sharper 8K resolution and up to 240fps slow-mo in FHD. The V30 is limited to 4K and 120fps FHD recording.
So while they share extensive pro video features, the V60 ultimately produces higher quality and smoother footage thanks to its newer imaging components.
Software
The LG V30 launched on Android 7.1 Nougat and received updates up to Android 9 Pie. Official support ended there, though some variants may have gotten Android 10 unofficially.
In contrast, the V60 shipped with Android 10 and has been updated to Android 11 so far. It likely has another year or so of expected software support with Android 12 down the line.
This gives the newer V60 the software advantage with a more modern OS out of the box. It also will see a longer overall lifespan for major Android updates.
User Interface
Both phones run LG’s custom UX skin on top of Android. The core look and feel is quite similar between the two.
You get features like second screen support, always-on display, system themes, Knox security, LG Health, HD audio recording, floating bar, and more on both models..
But the V60 has some newer additions like Edge Bar for quick access to apps, contacts, and shortcuts from any screen. The V30 doesn’t have this newer implementation.
Overall, LG’s Android skin provides a very similar experience across the generations. But the V60 will feel a bit more modern with some newer features and visual tweaks.
Special Features
Here are some additional features to note on each phone:
LG V30
- Floating Bar – Quick access dock that can be placed along any edge
- Hi-Fi Quad DAC – Enhanced wired audio output
- Face Recognition – Unlock with facial scanning
- MicroSD slot – Support for expanded storage
- Minimal bezels – Sleek front design for the time
LG V60
- Dual Screen – Compatible with 2nd display attachment
- 5G connectivity – Next-gen network support
- Improved stylus support – For creative work
- Headphone jack – Retains 3.5mm audio port
- Vapor chamber cooling – Prevent overheating during intensive use
The V30 pushes audio quality with its quad DAC and has microSD expansion. The V60 offers a more modern dual screen experience, 5G speeds, better stylus integration, and vapor cooling while keeping the fan-favorite headphone jack.
Price and Value
The LG V60 is the newer model and offers better performance, cameras, battery life, and software support. But it’s also the more expensive phone, launched at $800-$900 USD.
In contrast, the LG V30 is readily available for under $200 USD these days as a previous generation model. That makes it an incredible value for buyers on a tight budget.
If price is no object, the V60 is easily the superior phone overall. But for shoppers looking for an affordable yet capable Android device, the V30 remains a great option that has aged surprisingly well.
Conclusion
The LG V60 ThinQ is the clear winner in this head-to-head comparison versus the older V30 in almost every major category. It’s faster, has a bigger and better display, lasts much longer per charge, takes better photos and videos, and will get more software updates down the road.
The V60 is the obvious recommendation if you don’t mind paying higher flagship pricing. But the LG V30 is still a very solid device in its own right. Despite being several years old now, it actually holds up remarkably well.
For buyers on a budget who want good performance without breaking the bank, the V30 delivers tremendous value. It can handle most tasks and apps smoothly and captures decent photos for social sharing.
At the end of the day, choosing between the LG V30 and V60 comes down largely to your budget. The V60 is superior technology wise, but the cheaper V30 remains a great affordable option with competitive specs and features that hold their own even today.