5G is expected to completely change the way we use the internet and even our lives. 2019 is the year of 5G as, even though the new networks are still not available globally, the main smartphones manufacturers are already launching their first 5G handsets, while most of the important carriers are going to complete the final tests in order to enable the new connectivity. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, LG V50 ThinQ 5G, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G are among the first 5G phones out there. Naturally, all of them are flagships and here is an in-depth comparison between their specs.

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G vs LG V50 ThinQ 5G vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G

Xiaomi Mi 9 LG V50 ThinQ 5G Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 162.6 x 77.1 x 7.9 mm, 198 g 159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm, 183 g 157.9 x 74.7 x 9.4 mm
DISPLAY  6.7 inches, 1440 x 3040p (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED 6.4 inches, 1440 x 3120p (Quad HD+),  P-OLED 6.39 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), Super AMOLED
PROCESSOR Samsung Exynos 9820 octa-core 2.7 GHz – Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.84 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.84 GHz
MEMORY  8 GB RAM, 256 GB  6 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 64 GB
SOFTWARE  Android 9 Pie, One UI Android 9 Pie Android 9 Pie, MIUI
CONNECTIVITY  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA  Quadruple 12 + 12 + 16 MP + TOF, f/1.5-2.4, f/2.4 and f/2.2
Dual 10 MP + TOF f/1.9 front camera		 Triple 12 + 12 + 16 MP, f/1.5, f/2.4 and f/1.9
Dual 8 + 5 MP, f/1.9 and f/2.2 front camera		 Dual 12 + 12 MP, f/1.8
Dual 24 + 2 MP front camera
BATTERY  4500 mAh, fast charging with USB-PD, wireless charging 4000 mAh, fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging 3800 mAh, fast charging with Quick Charge 4+, wireless charging
ADDITIONAL FEATURES  waterproof, stereo speakers, 5G, reverse wireless charging Dual SIM slot, MIL-STD-810G, waterproof, Quad DAC, 5G Dual SIM slot, 5G, slider design

Design

While LG V50 ThinQ 5G comes up with a standard notched design and it is nothing special in the looks department, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G both come with very original aesthetics. The former has in-display cameras in order to minimize bezels, while the latter opts for a slider design. I would personally prefer the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G simply because it is much more compact than the Galaxy S10 5G, which is definitely too big due to its huge display. In case you are looking for the best build quality, then LG V50 ThinQ wins with its military and IP68 certification making it waterproof and drop resistant.

 

Display

There is definitely no challenge: Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is a clear winner. First, it has a much bigger display, excellent for productivity and multimedia. Second, it comes with the new Dynamic AMOLED technology that enhances color reproduction, and it is even HDR10+ compliant, unlike LG V50 ThinQ 5G and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G. Last but not least, it has a more resistant panel thanks to the Gorilla Glass 6 protection. At the second place of the multimedia ranking, there is LG V50 ThinQ with its high QHD+ resolution, HDR and loud stereo speakers with Quad DAC. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G has an above-average display, but nothing so surprising.

 

Hardware/Software

With up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G boasts the most advanced hardware department. And in its European version, it can even deliver better performances with 5G. Indeed, the European version is equipped with the Exynos 5100 modem that is more advanced than the Snapdragon X50 found on the U.S. version, as it is a multimode modem (supporting FDD and TDD, as well as mmWave). Samsung Galaxy S10 5G also boasts a very advanced Android customization: the new One UI based on Android Pie. Not saying that MIUI is inferior, but it is still an added value.

 

Camera

According to the first tests, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G also comes with a more advanced camera department. It is equipped with a quadruple camera on the back consisting of a main 12 MP sensor with a variable aperture, a telephoto lens, an ultrawide lens, and even a TOF camera. It shoots amazing photos in most of the conditions. Even the front cameras seem to be the best out there. LG V50 ThinQ should come right after with its rear triple camera (telephoto + ultrawide lens) and a dual wide-angle front camera. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G is an outstanding camera phone, but it is nowhere able to compete with the quadruple cameras of the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, neither with its dual camera setup on the front side. And it may not even be at the same level as the LG V50 ThinQ 5G.

 

Battery

There are no big differences between the battery capacities of these flagships, just 300 mAh between the smallest and the biggest one. So what will really make the difference? Obviously the hardware and software optimization. Samsung is usually very good at optimizing its phones energy consumption, as well as Xiaomi. So, it will be a hard battle. However, I would choose Samsung Galaxy S10 5G because it supports a faster wireless charging technology as well as reverse wireless charging (it can be used as a wireless power bank to charge other devices).

 

Price

Given that these devices are still not in the market, do not expect to know all their prices soon. We already know that Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G will cost €600/$683 globally, while we do not know anything about LG V50 ThinQ and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G pricing. We expect the first to cost at least $900/€790, while the second will surely go on sale for more than $1000/€880.

 

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G vs LG V50 ThinQ 5G vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G: PRO and CONS

LG V50 ThinQ 5G

PROS

  • Best build quality
  • Great audio
  • Big battery
  • USB-PD

CONS

  • Uglier design

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G

PROS

  • Revolutionary slider design
  • Front-facing LED flash
  • More affordable price
  • Smaller

CONS

  • No micro SD

 

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

PROS

  • Huge and outstanding display
  • Best connectivity
  • Great cameras
  • Biggest battery
  • USB-PD
  • Reverse wireless charging

CONS

  • Bigger dimensions

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