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A 5G LG phone is actually getting Android 11 on not one but two US carriers

Updated: Feb 26, 2021, 1:56 PM

T-Mobile Verizon LG Android Software updates 5G

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A 5G LG phone is actually getting Android 11 on not one but two US carriers

UPDATE: Not to be outdone by its fast-growing arch-rival, Verizon has also started to roll out Android 11 with January 2021 security patches on top to its very own version of the LG V60 ThinQ. Unlike Magenta, Big Red is already prepared to confirm and detail the OTA delivery on its official software support website.

The 5G Ultra Wideband-compatible high-ender is getting everything from conversation bubbles to a whole slew of camera enhancements, various settings tweaks, and other small but potentially significant visual and below-the-surface changes for many different types of users. As usual, the carrier's changelog is far from complete, so you'll just have to download and install the update for yourself to actually find out everything that's new.

LG V60 ThinQ

5G UW, 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM

$949 ⁹⁹

Buy at Verizon

Unfortunately, the top US mobile network operator is still charging a small fortune for the Classy White or Classy Blue V60 ThinQ 5G UW. Namely, $949.99, although if it makes prospective new buyers feel any better, you can shave up to $750 off that regular price with an eligible trade-in.

Yeah, it's probably wiser to get your 5G UW fix from a different device, like, say, the oft-discounted Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, the always affordable Google Pixel 4a 5G, or even LG's own Velvet beaut. Our original story follows below.

When it comes to Android 11 updates, Samsung has completely hogged the limelight for almost three months now, delivering Google's latest massive collection of software goodies, performance enhancements, and new features (with exclusive One UI 3.0 or 3.1 treats sprinkled on top) to a larger number of high-end and mid-range devices than we could have ever imagined.

Of course, other smartphone manufacturers have been working on their own over-the-air rollouts since the newest OS version went stable back in September 2020, inexplicably taking a much longer time than the industry-leading chaebol to bring even one or two handsets up to date.

LG, for instance, kicked off its Android 11-based UX 10 deployment for the beloved 5G-enabled Velvet beaut around a month ago in South Korea, failing to expand the update to key markets like the US since then. On the bright side, the slightly less popular (or so we assume) but more powerful V60 ThinQ 5G is reportedly leaving Android 10 behind on T-Mobile as we speak.

The early 2020-released Snapdragon 865 powerhouse is one of the very few non-Samsung devices upgraded to Android 11 on the nation's top "Un-carrier" and second-largest wireless service provider overall, and while Magenta has yet to confirm the OTA delivery on the phone's dedicated software support webpage, multiple users have already taken to Reddit and Twitter to share screenshots proving the happy days are finally here.

Tippin the scales at roughly 2.2GB, the OS promotion brings January 2021 security patches to the table, which... is not exactly ideal. But considering everything that LG has on its plate right now, it's pretty miraculous that the company has been able to not only take care of this update for the V60 ThinQ 5G, also collaborating with T-Mobile to make it available relatively quickly for its millions and millions of customers.

By the way, if you're one of those customers and want to purchase a reasonably priced smartphone with excellent specifications, the $699.99 LG V60 ThinQ 5G might be one of the best options out there, with a productivity-enhancing Dual Screen case included, as well as a generous 8GB RAM count, 5,000mAh battery, and triple rear-facing camera system consisting of a 64MP primary shooter, 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and, well, a largely useless 3D Time-of-Flight sensor.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.