LG V40 ThinQ: Still Worth It In 2022?

The LG V40 ThinQ: A Blast from the Past in 2022?

Hey guys, let's talk about a phone that might be collecting dust in some of your drawers – the LG V40 ThinQ. Now, I know what you're thinking, "LG phones? Aren't they out of the smartphone game?" And yeah, you're right, LG officially exited the smartphone business. But that doesn't mean their older devices suddenly become useless bricks! In fact, for many of us who appreciate solid hardware and a clean software experience, the LG V40 ThinQ might still hold some surprising value, even in 2022. We're going to dive deep into what makes this phone tick, why it might still be a decent pick-up if you find one for cheap, and where it definitely shows its age. So, buckle up, because we're about to dust off this gem and see if it still shines.

The Legacy of the V Series: What Made the V40 Special?

Before we get into whether the LG V40 ThinQ is still a good buy in 2022, it's crucial to understand what made it stand out back in its prime. The LG V series was always about pushing boundaries, particularly when it came to multimedia and camera capabilities. The V40 ThinQ was no exception. Released in late 2018, it was a flagship device that packed a serious punch. What really set it apart, and continues to be a talking point for tech enthusiasts, was its innovative camera system. This bad boy sported not one, not two, but three rear cameras: a standard wide lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens. This triple-camera setup was ahead of its time, offering incredible versatility for mobile photography. You could capture sweeping landscapes with the ultra-wide, get those beautiful portraits with the telephoto, and snap everyday shots with the main sensor. And let's not forget the front-facing dual cameras, which also offered a standard and a wide-angle option – great for group selfies! Beyond the cameras, LG was known for its stunning OLED displays, and the V40 ThinQ was no different. Its 6.4-inch Quad HD+ OLED panel was vibrant, sharp, and offered deep blacks, making watching videos and playing games an absolute treat. LG also managed to squeeze all this tech into a surprisingly slim and lightweight design, with a beautiful glass back and a metal frame. It even boasted IP68 water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability, which were premium features back then and still are today. The audio experience was also a strong suit, with the V40 ThinQ featuring a 32-bit Quad DAC for superior sound quality through headphones, a feature many audiophiles appreciated. So, when we talk about the V40 ThinQ in 2022, we're looking at a phone that was built with a strong emphasis on creative expression and a premium user experience, all wrapped up in a sleek package.

Performance in 2022: Can it Keep Up?

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: performance. In 2022, we're accustomed to lightning-fast processors and seamless multitasking. So, how does the LG V40 ThinQ, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, fare? Honestly, for everyday tasks, it's surprisingly capable. We're talking about browsing the web, scrolling through social media, checking emails, and even firing off a few texts – the V40 can handle these with relative ease. The Snapdragon 845 was a flagship processor back in 2018, and while it's certainly been surpassed by newer chips, it still packs enough oomph for most common smartphone activities. Multitasking is where you might start to feel the age a little. Opening a dozen apps and jumping between them might introduce a slight stutter or a longer load time compared to a modern flagship. However, with 6GB of RAM (or 8GB on some variants), it's not going to completely choke. When it comes to gaming, the V40 ThinQ can still run many popular titles. Lighter games will play perfectly fine, but graphically intensive games might require you to lower the settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Don't expect to play the latest AAA mobile games on ultra settings, but for casual gaming sessions, it's still perfectly usable. The biggest performance bottleneck you'll likely encounter in 2022 isn't necessarily the raw processing power, but rather the software updates. LG promised a certain number of OS updates, and sadly, the V40 ThinQ has reached the end of its official software support. This means no more Android version upgrades and no more security patches directly from LG. This is a major consideration for anyone looking to buy or use this phone today. While the user experience is still quite smooth thanks to LG's generally light software skin, the lack of security updates makes it a riskier proposition for online banking, sensitive data, or connecting to public Wi-Fi. So, while the silicon itself can still perform basic tasks adequately, the lack of software longevity is the primary performance-related concern.

Camera Prowess: Still Relevant in the Age of AI?

Let's talk cameras, because this was LG's shining star, and it's still a pretty compelling package even now. The LG V40 ThinQ's triple-lens rear camera system was a game-changer, and its versatility is something many modern phones are still trying to replicate. You get a 12MP main sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide lens with a super-wide 107-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. What does this mean for you in 2022? It means you have options! Need to capture a stunning landscape or fit a whole group into the frame? The ultra-wide is your best friend. Want to get closer to your subject without losing quality or take a nice portrait? The telephoto lens delivers. And for everyday shots, the main sensor does a respectable job. In good lighting conditions, the V40 ThinQ can still produce some beautiful photos. Colors are generally natural, and detail is pretty good. The ultra-wide, in particular, remains a fantastic feature, offering a perspective that few other phones had at the time and still struggle to match with such a wide FoV without significant distortion. Low-light performance is where you'll notice the V40 showing its age. While it has a dedicated Night Mode, it doesn't quite compete with the computational photography magic happening on flagship phones today. Images can be a bit noisy, and dynamic range might not be as impressive. However, for casual snapshots or sharing on social media, it's perfectly acceptable. The front-facing dual cameras (8MP standard + 5MP wide) are also decent for selfies, especially the wide option for group shots. Video recording is also solid, capable of 4K at 60fps, which was high-end for its time. While it lacks the advanced AI scene detection and processing power of today's smartphones, the LG V40 ThinQ's camera hardware offers a tangible versatility that still holds up. If you prioritize having different focal lengths and a genuinely useful ultra-wide lens, the V40 ThinQ's cameras are still a strong contender, especially if you're not chasing the absolute bleeding edge of low-light performance or AI enhancements.

Display and Design: Still a Looker?

When the LG V40 ThinQ came out, it was lauded for its design, and honestly, it still holds up remarkably well. LG really nailed the premium feel with this device. The phone features a 6.4-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels. That's Quad HD+, guys! And let me tell you, that screen is gorgeous. Even by 2022 standards, the colors are vibrant, the blacks are deep and inky, and the sharpness is incredible. Watching videos, browsing photos, or even just reading text on this display is a pleasure. While it doesn't have the high refresh rates (like 90Hz or 120Hz) that are common on modern phones, the 60Hz panel is still smooth for most users, and the sheer quality of the OLED panel itself is impressive. The design is also a highlight. LG managed to make the V40 ThinQ incredibly thin and light for its screen size, measuring just 7.7mm thick and weighing around 169 grams. It feels great in the hand, and the