LG V40 Impressions: 5 Cameras on a Phone?!

LG pulls a familiar move with the V40 ThinQ, essentially positioning it as an evolution of the G7 ThinQ rather than a radical overhaul. The core hardware remains high end, featuring a Snapdragon 845, 6 GB of RAM, Gorilla Glass 5 with metal, IP68 rating, expandable microSD, and a notable emphasis on audio with the 3.5mm jack and 32-bit hi-fi DAC. The big hardware shift for this model is the camera array: three rear cameras and two front cameras, with a blend of focal lengths designed to cover everyday usage plus creative options. The main rear camera is a 12 MP sensor with an f/1.5 aperture, while the wide angle on the back is 16 MP with an f/1.9 and a 107 degree field of view, and a 12 MP telephoto with an f/2.4 and a 45 degree field of view offering about 2x optical zoom. The front includes a standard 8 MP selfie camera and a 5 MP wide angle selfie, giving users the option to fit more into the frame. The V40 also brings a 6.4 inch OLED display, a bigger 3300 mAh battery, and a refined though still familiar LG software skin on Android 8.1 with plenty of discreet customization options and features like AI scene recognition and a triple shot mode. The triple shot feature is highlighted as a quick way to capture three different focal lengths at once, although the practical value of the feature outside quick social sharing is debatable, and it can take a little time to save. Overall, the device feels like a refined, notched-optional, flagship that trades a few flagship gambits for camera versatility and a strong multimedia experience, with a pricing point around $900 that makes it attractive relative to some competitors.

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