The smartphone arena is a battlefield of innovation, and two titans from a bygone era, the LG V30 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, still spark debate among tech enthusiasts. Both devices represented the pinnacle of mobile technology at their respective launches, offering premium features and cutting-edge designs.
If you’re wondering which of these former flagships might still hold its own or if you’re simply curious about their strengths and weaknesses, you’ve come to the right place. We’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you understand the key differences and decide which device might have been the superior choice.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | LG V30 | S9 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.0″ OLED | 6.2″ AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1440 | 2960 x 1440 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 835 | Snapdragon 845/Exynos 9810 |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 16MP + 13MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| Battery | 3300 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint, Face Recognition | Fingerprint, Iris Scanner, Face Recognition |
| Operating System | Android 7.1.2 (upgradable) | Android 8.0 (upgradable) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Lg V30: Features a 6.0-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels. It offers excellent color accuracy and deep blacks, though some users might find its aspect ratio a bit tall. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
- S9 Plus: Boasts a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. It’s renowned for its vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and HDR10+ support, making it fantastic for media consumption. It also utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.
- Winner: s9 plus
Processor
- Lg V30: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM. This processor was a flagship in its time and handles most tasks smoothly, but it can show its age with demanding modern applications compared to newer chips.
- S9 Plus: Equipped with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 or Samsung Exynos 9810 (depending on region), coupled with 6GB of RAM. This combination offers superior performance, handling multitasking and intensive gaming with ease and providing a snappier user experience.
- Winner: s9 plus
Camera
- Lg V30: Features a dual-camera system: a 16MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide sensor. It’s known for its excellent ultrawide capabilities, offering a unique perspective. Low-light performance is decent but can sometimes produce noisy images.
- S9 Plus: Comes with a dual-camera setup: a 12MP main sensor with a variable aperture and a 12MP telephoto sensor. The variable aperture allows for better low-light shots and depth-of-field control. Image processing is generally excellent, producing sharp and vibrant photos with good dynamic range.
- Winner: s9 plus
Battery Life
- Lg V30: Equipped with a 3300 mAh battery. It generally provides a full day of moderate use, but heavy users might find themselves needing a top-up before the end of the day. Supports fast charging and wireless charging.
- S9 Plus: Has a 3500 mAh battery. Battery life is often a point of contention for the S9+, as it can be inconsistent and may not last a full day for power users due to the power-hungry display and processor. It also supports fast and wireless charging.
- Winner: lg v30
Audio
- Lg V30: Stands out with its Quad DAC Hi-Fi audio. This provides an exceptional audio experience for audiophiles, delivering clear, rich, and detailed sound through headphones. It also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack.
- S9 Plus: Features stereo speakers tuned by AKG and Dolby Atmos support. While the stereo speakers are a significant upgrade, and the audio quality is good, it doesn’t quite reach the audiophile-grade immersion offered by the V30’s Quad DAC. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Winner: lg v30
Build Quality & Design
- Lg V30: Features a sleek glass and aluminum design with a focus on a large screen in a relatively compact body. It has a premium feel, though the glass back can be prone to smudges and fingerprints. It’s also IP68 water and dust resistant.
- S9 Plus: Employs a premium glass and metal construction with a more refined, curved display design. The build quality is exceptional, feeling solid and luxurious in hand. It also boasts IP68 water and dust resistance.
- Winner: s9 plus
Software & Updates
- Lg V30: Launched with Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) and received updates up to Android 9 (Pie). LG’s software is generally clean, but update support can be slower and shorter than Samsung’s.
- S9 Plus: Launched with Android 8.0 (Oreo) and received updates up to Android 10. Samsung’s One UI is feature-rich, and they generally offer more consistent and longer software update support for their flagship devices.
- Winner: s9 plus
Unique Features
- Lg V30: Highlights include its advanced manual camera controls with Cine Video mode for professional-looking video recording, and the Quad DAC for superior audio. The secondary “floating bar” for shortcuts was also a unique UI element.
- S9 Plus: Key unique features are the variable aperture camera, Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience, and the iris scanner for enhanced security. The curved Infinity Display also contributes to its distinct aesthetic.
- Winner: s9 plus
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display | S9 Plus |
| Performance | S9 Plus |
| Camera | S9 Plus |
| Battery Life | S9 Plus |
| Audio | LG V30 |
| Design & Build | S9 Plus |
| Value | LG V30 |
What They Have in Common
- Display Quality: Both devices boast stunning OLED/AMOLED displays with high resolutions, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios for an immersive viewing experience.
- Premium Build: You’ll find a sophisticated design on both the LG V30 and the S9 Plus, featuring glass and metal construction that feels premium in hand and often includes robust water and dust resistance ratings.
- Flagship Performance: Powered by top-tier processors of their respective generations, both phones deliver smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and the ability to handle demanding games and applications with ease.
- Expandable Storage: For users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps, both the LG V30 and the S9 Plus offer microSD card support, allowing for flexible storage expansion.
- Wireless Charging: Convenience is key with both devices supporting wireless charging, meaning you can ditch the cables and simply place your phone on a compatible charging pad.
Lg V30 Vs S9 Plus Buying Guide
Performance and Everyday Use
When considering everyday performance, both the LG V30 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus offer robust capabilities. The V30, powered by a Snapdragon 835, handles multitasking and app launches with commendable speed. Its strength lies in its fluid user interface and consistent performance for common tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The S9 Plus, with its superior Snapdragon 845 (or Exynos equivalent), generally edges out the V30 in raw processing power, leading to slightly faster app loading and smoother performance in graphically intensive games and demanding applications. For the average user, both will feel very capable, but power users might notice the S9 Plus’s extra headroom.
Camera Capabilities
Photography enthusiasts will find compelling reasons to choose either device, though their approaches differ. The LG V30 is celebrated for its dual-camera system, particularly its wide-angle lens, which is excellent for capturing expansive landscapes and creative shots. It delivers natural-looking photos with good detail and color reproduction, especially in well-lit conditions. The Samsung S9 Plus boasts a more advanced camera system, featuring a variable aperture main lens that excels in low-light photography, producing brighter and clearer images. Its telephoto lens also offers superior optical zoom capabilities for getting closer to subjects without sacrificing quality. The S9 Plus often provides more vibrant and punchy images straight out of the camera. (See Also: Apple Iphone 14 Vs 15 )
Display and Multimedia
Both phones excel in multimedia consumption, but with distinct display technologies. The LG V30 features a P-OLED display, known for its deep blacks, excellent contrast ratios, and vibrant colors, making it a joy for watching videos and viewing HDR content. Its taller aspect ratio is also well-suited for immersive viewing experiences. The Samsung S9 Plus sports a Super AMOLED display, which is renowned for its incredible color accuracy, brightness, and sharpness. It also supports HDR10+, offering an even more dynamic visual experience. The S9 Plus’s display is arguably brighter and more color-saturated, while the V30 offers a slightly more natural, cinematic look.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial consideration for any smartphone user. The LG V30 comes with a 3300 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate usage for most users. It supports fast wired charging and wireless charging, offering convenient power-up options. The Samsung S9 Plus has a slightly larger 3500 mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor, also delivers a full day’s worth of use. It too offers fast wired charging (Adaptive Fast Charging) and wireless charging capabilities. In real-world usage, battery endurance can be quite comparable, though the S9 Plus might offer a slight edge in longevity due to its optimizations.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy LG V30 If…
- You prioritize having a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio experiences.
- You appreciate a slightly more compact and lighter design compared to the S9 Plus.
- You’re looking for a capable flagship with a strong focus on multimedia features and a dedicated DAC for audio enthusiasts.
- You want a phone with a unique wide-angle lens for creative photography.
Buy S9 Plus If…
- You desire the absolute latest in processing power and graphical performance.
- You want a larger, more immersive display with a higher pixel density.
- You are interested in advanced camera features like variable aperture and superior low-light performance.
- You value the added security and convenience of an iris scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better display for watching videos?
Both phones offer exceptional displays for video. The LG V30’s P-OLED panel delivers true blacks and excellent contrast, providing a cinematic feel. The Samsung S9 Plus’s Super AMOLED screen is known for its vibrant colors, high brightness, and sharp detail, making content pop. The S9 Plus’s HDR10+ support also offers a more dynamic range, potentially giving it a slight edge for the most demanding HDR content. (See Also: Texas Vs Wyoming Llc )
Is the camera difference significant for casual photography?
For casual photography, both phones are excellent. The LG V30’s wide-angle lens is a unique advantage for group shots and landscapes. The Samsung S9 Plus’s main camera excels in low light and offers better optical zoom. If you prioritize versatility and creative angles, the V30 is great. If you want consistently bright, detailed shots, especially in challenging lighting, the S9 Plus might be preferable.
Which phone is better for gaming?
For mobile gaming, the Samsung S9 Plus generally holds the advantage. Its Snapdragon 845 processor is more powerful than the V30’s Snapdragon 835, leading to smoother frame rates in demanding games and faster loading times. While the V30 can handle most games well, the S9 Plus offers a more consistently high-performance gaming experience, especially for titles that push graphical limits.
Does the V30’s wide-angle lens justify choosing it over the S9 Plus?
The V30’s wide-angle lens is a significant differentiator and a major draw for users who frequently shoot landscapes, architecture, or large groups. If this type of photography is a priority for you and you find the standard aspect ratio limiting, then the V30’s unique lens could absolutely justify choosing it. Otherwise, the S9 Plus’s more versatile telephoto lens and superior low-light performance might be more appealing. (See Also: Swagbucks Vs Survey Junkie )
Are software updates still a concern for these older devices?
Both the LG V30 and Samsung S9 Plus are older flagship devices, and official major software updates from LG and Samsung have likely ceased. While security patches might still be released periodically, you should not expect new Android version upgrades. If having the latest software features is crucial, you might consider newer devices or explore custom ROMs on the V30, though this requires technical expertise.
Final Verdict
The LG V30 and Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus both represented the pinnacle of smartphone technology in their time. The V30 stands out with its exceptional wide-angle camera and a beautiful P-OLED display, offering a more cinematic multimedia experience. However, the S9 Plus generally surpasses it in raw performance thanks to its more powerful processor, boasts a superior low-light camera with a telephoto lens, and features an incredibly bright and vibrant Super AMOLED display. For a more well-rounded flagship experience with better gaming and camera versatility, the S9 Plus takes the lead.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus