LG V20 Unlocked International Version for $440

On the “Phones as DAPs” front, the international version of the LG V20, H990DS, factory-unlocked but does not work with CDMA since that’s a US market thing, with dual SIMs, is on sale, in new condition, for $440 with free shipping by NeverMSRP on eBay in black or silver. The pink is out of stock. Limit five per buyer.

Check bands in the listing and online if you are not certain this will work with your carrier of choice. A US charging adapter will be included by the seller. Since this is imported, no LG USA warranty.

This has a headphone jack, it is USB-C powered, supports Bluetooth 4.2 with apt-X, and has the highly talked about Quad DAC. 4GB of RAM, 64GB on-board storage, microSD (up to 256GB), and removable battery bode well for music playback. The size may be a bit of a detriment if you plan to use it as a pocket DAC.

I’m finding a 6-inch phone (I don’t have this one) with a headphone cord attached to it becomes a bit of a pocket monster. On the other hand, if you like to watch music videos or concerts on the phone, the extra screen and resolution can be handy. Remember, if you are paying for Google Play All Access or YouTube RED, you can download the YouTube Music app and play YouTube music ad-free either in video or audio-only mode (saves battery, especially if you are not looking at the screen). You are not going to get audiophile-level streaming from YouTube Music, but some content cannot be found or purchased from the various music streaming services (eg, “Cassette” from “Viet Cong” reborn as “Preoccupations” ~ as seen at Coachella 2017 ~ after getting yelled at for inappropriate use of a name. The band seems to have trouble picking names in general, both of their studio albums are self-titled, and their first EP was titled “Cassette”).

LG TONE PLATINUM HBS-1100 Neckband BT Earphones for $100

The new condition LG TONE PLATINUM HBS-1100 Neckband Earphones (bluetooth), in the gold or black color schemes, are currently going for $100 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three per color per customer at the moment. The other two colors go for more. All together they average 3.6 out of 5 based on 260 customer reviews and have over 100 questions answered by viewers like you (anyone can answer questions at Amazon).

LG V20 (Unlocked, US warranty) for $450 with coupon

More discounting on the quad-DAC front, the LG V20, unlocked and with US warranty, in the “Titan” color scheme, model US996, is going for $450 with free shipping at NewEgg by NewEgg actual when you enter promo code EMCSRERD5 over there. The sale ends Tuesday night or earlier if they sell out.

LG V20 Unlocked T-Mobile for $500 [Phones as DAPs]

For Prime members only, Amazon actual is offering the new condition of the LG V20, fully-unlocked for GSM carriers, but it is the T-Mobile version, in the Titan Grey color scheme. A marketplace seller has it for $500 for all, which is probably what triggered an automated price-match by Amazon actual.

On the same listing there are other colors that are international versions, so pay attention if you are traversing the various options. Likewise, all the posted reviews (as of the time of writing) are for the international versions. You have to filter reviews by color since they are all grouped together.

The LG G6 is not getting the quad-DAC in the US market, so it does not overshadow the V20 in that regard. The V20 has other music-playing benefits, removable battery, 64GB on-board storage, and microSD slot that can take cards up to 2TB (unicorns have 2TB cards!). It comes with Nougat out of the box.

Phones as DAPs: LG V20 (factory unlocked with USA warranty) for $542

From the “Phones as DAPs” department, the new condition LG V20 with USA warranty, factory unlocked, is on sale for $542 [was $564] with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual. Limit up to three per customer. Make sure Amazon actual is the seller, as you are guaranteed you are getting a USA warranty. The other sellers, buy only if you are 100% certain… Price updated here 3/18/17 AM…

This is no-contract, no-obligation, no installment-plan, no other restrictions. You pay $564 upfront and you can do whatever you want with it.

The V20 has the quad-DAC, which only some of the new LG G6 flagship models are getting. The US version of the G6 will get wireless charging but not the quad DAC. It runs Nougat, has 4GB RAM, 64GB on-board and takes microSD cards (up to 2TB theoretically).

Phones as DAPs: LG V10 for $290 (Carrier Unlocked, AT&T, No Contract)

The LG V-series is one of the smartphones that get good marks for their audio component. If you like to buy smartphones outright and without any contractual obligations, carrier-unlocked, in new condition, B&H Photo is offering the LG V10 (model H900) for $290 with free shipping. It comes with a 1-year warranty covered by B&H. This is a limited time offer.

It has 64GB on-board storage plus it can take microSDXC cards (theoretically up to 2TB). So plenty of space for your OGGs and WAVs and DSDs 🙂 It has a removable battery, so you can keep listening without having to recharge. If you are planning to use it with a GSM provider other than AT&T, check the bands and/or the phone forums/websites to make sure it will work with your provider(s) of choice.

[DEAD] Monday: LG V20 for $500; AT LP60 USB for $80

These daily deals expired…

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Phones as DAPs: LG V20 (International Version) for $550

From the Phones as DAP department, if you are interested in the new LG V20 but don’t want to pay the $800+ for the USA edition, and you understand the trade-offs of getting an international model, among the latest ebay daily deals, eBay seller “NeverMSRP” (99.9%, Houston) is offering new condition international versions of the LG V20 (model H990DS) for $550 with free shipping, in either silver or gray. The pink is currently sold out. Limit up to five per customer. This is unlocked, no carrier logos, no contracts, no installment plans. The compatible bands are in the listing, but check phone forums if you are not certain your carrier(s) of interest are compatible. Check audio forums and websites for discussions on the audio capabilities of the V20.

[DEAD] LG Tone+ HBS730 behind neck BT earbuds for $27 w/FS

This daily deal expired… The LG Tone+ HBS730 behind neck bluetooth earbuds are on sale for $27 with free shipping until 11:59pm eastern on Monday at B&H Photo or earlier if they sell out.

Phones as DAPs: LG V20 with JBL E40BT Bluetooth On-Ears and 7″ LG tablet and Power Bank for $800

Another new deal that emerged since the previous update of the Headphone Tracker (notable changes there are marked in BOLD) is that the LG V20 freebie train is getting more wagons if you are willing to buy it unlocked and not from carriers. Its price from authorized with USA warranty dealers is $800. If you buy it from B&H Photo you will receive three freebies:

  • JBL E40BT bluetooth on-ear headphones (choice of black or white color scheme)
  • 7-inch LG tablet – the 8GB G Pad (Black)
  • 10500 mah ASUS power bank

All useful freebies in their own right, which means you can also use them as Holiday gifts 🙂

This is the North American variant of the phone (model US996), with carrier flexibility and USA warranty. 64GB of on-board storage plus a microSD slot and removable battery, along with “Quad DAC”, Nougat out of the box, and things of that nature.

LG HBS-760 TONE PRO Neckband Bluetooth Earbuds for $30 w/free s&h

Among the Sunday daily deals, B&H Photo is offering the new condition LG HBS-760 TONE PRO Neckband Bluetooth Earbuds, in the white color scheme, on sale for $30 with free shipping. The other three color schemes are not on sale.

[DEAD] LG Gruve Bluetooth On-Ears for $40 [ends 3:45pm ET]

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Coming Soon: LG V20 may include B&O Play H3 Earphones

The LG V20 is now officially announced [check our IFA 2016 post for more on that], and during the presentation, LG revealed that it may include the B&O Play H3 earphones, which go for $150 on their own (not clear whether they’ll come with the 1st or 2nd generation of the earphones).

NOTE: it is not known yet which markets and which carrier bundles will get the B&O earphones. We have to wait and see.

LG Electronics Gruve On-Ears (Bluetooth) for $34

On the simple folding bluetooth on-ears front, the black color scheme of the LG Gruve (that’s their spelling, not my misspelling) are currently on sale for $34~ with a limit of three units per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual. They average 4.1 out of 5 based on 60+ customer reviews and have 20+ questions answered. They also play music via a standard 3.5mm audio input, not just Bluetooth.

[DEAD] Sunday (Phones as DAPs): LG V10 H960A 32GB Unlocked for $480

This daily deal expired…

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Used LG Gruve Bluetooth On-ears for $45~

LG too is making headphones, and their Gruve Bluetooth on-ears go for $66 in new condition, but if you are cool with used, you can get them in “Used – Like New” condition (damaged original packaging) for $44.50 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. They average 4.3 out of 5 based on 30 customer reviews. They fold.