LG K20 V Review: Performance That Impresses
Table of Contents
Key Highlights
Here is a simple look at what the LG K20 V can do. This easy review gives you all you need to know about how it works and how it feels to use.
- The LG K20 V is a budget Android phone that you can get from Verizon Wireless.
- It has a rear fingerprint sensor that works well. You can use it to unlock the phone fast and feel safe.
- You get great battery life with the 2,800 mAh battery. It will last all day with normal use.
- The phone gives you 16 GB of internal storage. You can add more with a microSD card.
- A Snapdragon 435 chip and 2 GB of RAM do the work inside for smooth use.
- A 5.3-inch screen lets you see things clearly in HD. The battery is removable so you can swap it out if you want.
Introduction
Are you looking for an android phone that covers the basics and doesn’t cost a lot? The LG K20 V could be a good choice for you. It is one of the cheapest phones in Verizon’s affordable android lineup. This phone is great for people who need something simple. If you are getting your first smartphone or just want a phone that handles calls, texts, and some browsing, the K20 V gives you what you need. At this price point, you get a device that is easy to use and works well. This makes it a key option in LG’s lineup of affordable android phones.
Key Features and Specifications of the LG K20 V
Let’s take a look at the main hardware that comes with the LG K20 V. The phone has a 5.3-inch screen that shows images in 720p HD. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor runs the device. You get 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, so there is space for your apps and files.
A lot of the storage on this phone is used by system data. So, you may want to use a memory card to get more space. The phone has a slot for one SIM card. It also comes with a battery that you can take out and replace, which is not common in most new phones.
Design, Build Quality, and Display
The LG K20 V has a design that is easy to use and looks nice. It uses a plastic back and a glass on the front. There is a bronze-colored trim around the edges that gives the phone its own style. This makes it different from other phones that use chrome or gold colors. The phone is not too big or small, so it feels good in your hand. You can also fit it into your pocket without any problem.
The K20 V has a strong feel for what you pay. The 2.5D curved glass fits well in the frame, and the phone has no loose parts or big gaps. The power button is at the back and it also works as a fingerprint reader. You can find it easily with your hand. LG often uses this setup, and it becomes simple to use after you get used to it.
The 5.3-inch 720p LCD screen gets the job done, but it’s simple. You might see the pixels if you look close. The screen brightness is clear enough when you use it inside or outside. The phone factor gives good viewing angles, so you can look at it from the side or above. The display fits well with the price of the phone. It works for everyday use, but it does not be the best for watching high-resolution videos or stuff.
Hardware, Processor, and Storage
Under the hood, the LG K20 V comes with hardware made for entry-level use. The phone has a Snapdragon 425 or 435 processor with 2 gb of ram. This setup helps you do daily things on your phone without much trouble. The specs are not as high as some other new phones, but they work well for basic tasks.
One thing you should look at is the way storage works in this device. The device has 16 GB of internal storage to use. But you do not get all the space because almost half of it is used by the operating system and system data that be put on the device. So, you only have a small amount of room left for your own apps, photos, and other files. If you want more space, you can put in a memory card to expand it with no trouble.
Here is a quick look at the main parts of the hardware.
Feature Specification
Processor Snapdragon 425/435
RAM 2 GB of RAM
Internal Storage 16 GB
Expandable Storage Yes, via memory card
Battery 2,800 mAh (Removable)
Display 5.3-inch 720p HD LCD
Software Experience and User Interface
The LG K20 V is an android phone that uses Android 7 Nougat and has LG’s special user interface on top. This software lets you change the way your phone looks. You can use an app drawer if you want a cleaner home screen, or you can leave all your apps on the main panels. The phone gives you a lot of choices, which is not usual for android phone models like this.
You can change the order of the buttons you see on the screen. This is good if you come from another brand and feel more at home with a different layout. The software lets you use two apps at the same time, side by side. In the next parts, we will talk about the apps that already come installed and how you can update the device.
Pre-installed Apps and Bloatware
When you turn on the LG K20 V for the first time, you will see plenty of apps already on it. There are many shortcuts and widgets sitting on the home screens. A lot of these are from verizon wireless. People sometimes call these extra apps bloatware. They use up storage on your phone.
By default, the android phone shows all the apps on the home screens. You do not see an app drawer at first. If you want the home screens to look neat, you can go into the settings. In the settings, you can turn on the app drawer. This lets you keep the apps you do not use every day out of sight.
LG’s software lets you have some say over all the extra apps the phone comes with. You are not able to remove most of the Verizon apps, but you can hide them. Hiding them keeps all the apps in the app drawer out of sight. That helps tidy up your home screen and also makes it feel less busy, even though these apps stay on the phone. Some pre-installed content includes:
- Verizon apps that help with account management and other services.
- A variety of third-party apps and shortcuts that you can use.
Upgradeability and Android Version Support
The LG K20 V comes with Android 7 Nougat. When it first came out, this was a new version. You should know that, with a budget phone like this, you might not get many new software updates for it. Most makers give updates to their top phones first, not to their low-cost models.
For a device at this price, you should not expect many upgrades in the future. The K20 V is not likely to get several big Android updates. It will stay on the software version that it comes with, but it may get some small security updates now and then.
This kind of limited help is normal in the industry for low-cost phones. At that time, LG had a reported operating loss in its mobile division. This could make it hard to put enough resources into long-term software updates for older devices. If you feel it is important to have the latest Android version, you might want to get a more expensive phone.
Performance in Everyday Use
The LG K20 V works well for your daily routine. For most tasks, the phone does what you need. The processor and 2 GB of RAM help you browse the web, read emails, and use social media apps easily. It gets the job done and does not feel slow when you use it.
This level of performance is good for people who do not use their devices too much at one time. If you are not switching between lots of apps or playing heavy games, this will work well for you. Next, we will look at how fast it opens apps and how well it handles games. This way, you can see what it does well and where it may not do as good.
Multitasking and App Responsiveness
With 2 GB of RAM, the LG K20 V gives you a simple multitasking experience. The phone can use Android’s split-screen, so you can put two apps next to each other. If you just open a messaging app and a web browser, it does well for light multitasking. App response for daily use is good enough with this amount of gb of ram.
If you often use a lot of heavy apps at the same time, you may see some slowdowns. Because the RAM is limited, the system has to shut background apps more. The apps will reload when you switch to them again. This can make your work feel slower.
This Android phone works well for people who do not need much. The processor and RAM in it can handle simple things without making you feel annoyed by slow speed. But if you use it for a lot of things at the same time, you will see that the hardware cannot keep up. You should know that system data also takes up some memory. If you keep too many apps open, this might slow down the phone. So, if you want better speed, it helps to close apps you are not using.
Gaming and Graphics Performance
When you play games, the LG K20 V works the way most budget phones do. It has a Snapdragon processor. This lets the phone run some popular casual games from the Play Store. These games run without trouble for the most part. The games that do not need much graphics power are easy to play on this phone.
You will face limits when you play games that need more power. High-end 3D games with complex graphics will probably not run well. You may see low frame rates and it can feel choppy. The phone does not have graphics performance made for intense gaming sessions.
LG has a roster of affordable devices. The K20 V puts cost first, not power. If you want to play a lot of games or use big apps, you might need a phone with a faster processor. But if you just want to play a simple puzzle game now and then, the K20 V in their affordable Android lineup will be enough for you.
Battery Life and Charging Experience
One thing that makes the LG K20 V really good is its battery life. The phone has a 2,800 mAh battery. This, along with the smart processor and 720p screen, helps the phone last longer. You can use it all day and not worry about the battery running out before you get home.
The charging experience of this device is basic. It does not have the fastest charging or wireless charging. The battery takes the usual time to charge. There are built-in power-saving choices to help you make the battery last longer if you need it.
Real-world Battery Usage
In real-world use, the battery life on the LG K20 V is great. The 2,800 mAh battery does a good job with the phone’s hardware. You can use it from the morning to the night and still have some charge left. This makes me feel good because I know the phone will last all day.
You can use the phone for browsing, making calls, and using apps. You do not need to keep checking the battery level all the time. The battery lasts a long time, so that is one of the main things people like about this phone. If you want a device that you can use all day without worry, this phone is a good choice.
A bonus you do not see that often now is phones with removable batteries. If you are the kind of person who uses your phone a lot or want to keep it for several years, you can carry an extra battery with you. You can also swap out your old battery with the new one when it does not work as well. This makes things easier, but most phones do not have removable batteries anymore.
Charging Speed and Power Saving Options
When you need to fill up the LG K20 V, you get a regular charging feel. The phone has a micro-USB port. It does not work with fast charging. So, to fill the 2,800 mah battery from zero to full, you need to wait for a few hours. Charging this phone is not fast or special. You may need to think about when you plug it in so the battery is ready when you want it.
The phone does not have wireless charging. At this price point, this is normal. You have to use a regular wired charger to fill up the battery. The device is simple. It does what you need, but you do not get any extra or high-tech features.
The phone comes with Android’s regular power-saving settings to help you control battery life. These settings work by cutting down background activity and making the phone use less energy when the battery level drops. They are handy for times when you do not have a charger near you or you are out for long hours. With these features, your phone will last longer and stay on when you need it most.
Camera Performance on the LG K20 V
The LG K20 V comes with a 13-megapixel main camera and a 5-megapixel front camera for selfies. This is a budget phone, so you get a camera system that works but is not the best. You can take photos that are good enough for sharing with friends or family. But, the camera will not be as good as the ones in higher-priced phones.
The camera app is easy to use. But the results from the front camera and the main camera are not always the same. This can happen more if there is hard light in the room or outside. Let’s look more at the kind of photos and videos you get from both cameras.
Main and Selfie Camera Results
The 13-megapixel main camera in the LG K20 V is just okay for its price. A lot of the photos you take with this phone can look soft and are not as sharp as you may want, especially for those moments that matter. Most pictures are just right for daily use, but the focus can be off or not very clear. This camera also finds it hard to show the light and dark parts of a photo the way you want, mostly when the scene has a lot of difference between light and dark. Even when HDR is on, it does not always fix it.
You might see a “halo effect” when there is bright light in some of your photos. This makes the picture look less clear. On the good side, the camera can give you nice colors. The white balance is right most of the time. This means you can use these photos for your social media.
The 5-megapixel front camera is okay for selfies. Still, if you love taking selfies, you may not be happy with it. The pictures can be soft and have grain. There is also a halo like you see in photos from the main camera. The camera is not strong, but you will see this a lot in budget phones from carriers like Verizon Wireless.
Video Quality and Special Modes
The LG K20 V can record video in 1080p or 720p HD. When you go outside and have good light, the video at 1080p looks okay. The focus, color, and brightness are fine for casual video clips. But when you move indoors or there is less light, you notice more grain and the brightness isn’t as good.
The camera app you get here is simple and doesn’t have many fun features. There are no options for things like timelapse or slow-motion. The main thing you will get is HDR. That, too, is not easy to find. You have to look for it in the settings instead of having a quick switch on the front screen.
The camera on the K20 V is not very strong. It can do simple things, but not much more. You can use it to record quick moments in your day, but that is about it. This is not the device to use if you want to record big events or important times. The camera does not have the needed features or good enough quality. It is best just for basic, everyday video use.
Conclusion
To sum up, the LG K20 V stands out for how well it works and how easy it is to use. The design looks good and the battery life is dependable. This phone is quick when you open and use apps, and it is good for everyday tasks. The camera does a nice job and helps you keep your memories. Whether you do several things at once, play games, or use apps, the LG K20 V can handle it. The phone works well and gives you what you need for daily use. If you are looking to buy a new phone, think about the LG K20 V. It gives you what you want in a phone and looks nice too. If you want to know more about this or have questions, feel free to ask.
FAQs
Q1: How does the LG K20 V compare to the LG K20 Plus?
A: The LG K20 V and K20 Plus are the same in many ways. The main difference is in the carrier that you use with them. The K20 Plus from T-Mobile gives you more internal storage. You get 32 GB in the K20 Plus, but you only get 16 GB in the K20 V. The processor and the display on both phones are the same. What sets them apart is the network bands they use. There is also a difference in the system data that each one has.
Q2: Is the LG K20 V a good choice for everyday use?
A: Yes, the LG K20 V is a good pick for your daily needs if you want something simple. This android phone gives you solid performance when you go online, use social media,or make calls. The battery life on this phone is great, so you can count on it all day. If you use Verizon Wireless, the LG K20 V fits right in with the affordable android lineup.
Q3: What do user reviews say about the LG K20 V?
A: The LG K20 V is known for having good battery life. Many people also like the ease of using its removable batteries. Another thing users enjoy is the quick fingerprint sensor. At its low price point, though, some feel the camera does not take great photos. Others think the look of the phone is plain. These are trade-offs that come with the lower cost.