LG V50 -> 5G, QuadDAC, Meridian Audio tuning, inbuilt MQA support for QuadDAC, QuadHD OLED display, stereo speakers & solid battery life. If comes pre-installed with Android 9, support for native DSD playback as well.
Ah yes. I thought the V50 had ballooned the screen size to their current ridiculous 6.8" monstrosity...but it is fact same dimensions as the V40. More importantly, this *is* the last model that LG has not neutered the audio prowess as you said (as long as you keep it off infernal Android 10). It's a little heavier than the V40 by about 20g likely due to 5G modem...which is great if it has the bands for your area.
LG V40, V50 & V50S/G8X all runs the same 6.4 inch display size with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. V50S is the 5G version of G8X.
From an audio perspective, the only difference between G8X & V50 is the former lacks MQA support. Both are tuned by Meridian Audio. Originally both came pre-installed with Android 9, so we get native DSD playback support as well. Recently the price of brand new G8X with Dual Screen case combo fell to $245 here. Absurd low price to an otherwise excellent phone. Bought one in a jiffy and very happy with the Meridian tuned audio.
With the current reshuffle of LG Mobile division's top management their direction and priorities have changed.
Outcome:
1) LG will mainly concentrate on experimental concepts like LG Wing. New concepts requires a lot of energy and manpower so the development team from Korea mainly responsible for LG flagships like G & V series phones will now concentrate on experimental concept phones and a traditional top-tier V series 5G phone. V series will have QuadDACs but without any audio tuning houses to save cost. Take the latest V60 as an example.
2) The experimental phones will be for marketing reasons, generating hype, drawing consumer attention and grabbing head lines. From a strategic business perspective this type of products are very important in the product portfolio. Just think of Samsung Galaxy Fold and how they can sell the phone in huge quantities with such an exuberant high price with fat profit margins.
3) From low to mid-tier products upto Velvet, LG will now outsource from Chinese ODMs to save in-house development cost. Bad news. Expect no QuadDACs here.
4) Under previous management if you look at LG G6, G7, G8, G8X, V30, V35, V40, V50 they all look very similar. Same industrial no nonsense design but with little design flair or snazzy looks. BTW I love the design & looks of my V30+ & G8X. Under new management its all about design. Just look at Velvet & Wing. When you splurge more money and effort on design, something has to give. Out goes QuadDAC and audio tuning houses like Meridian Audio & B&O.
5) Lets be realistic, the highest selling flagships in the world gives a damn to audio jack and its audio quality. So why should we expect it from LG? They are out in the market to make money, not to satisfy the tiny group of audio enthusiasts like us.
I say all this with a heavy heart as a audio lover. I hope LG continues the old trend of QuadDACs & collaboration with audio tuning houses in their future flagships.
