Looking for a new smartphone but overwhelmed by the choices? We're pitting the budget-friendly BLU M8L Plus against the older flagship LG V30S ThinQ to see which offers the best value and performance. This comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG V30S ThinQ is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, superior camera, and faster charging. While the BLU M8L Plus offers affordability, the V30S provides a premium experience that justifies its price, especially considering its age and availability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2018, February. Released 2018, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 208 x 123.7 x 10.5 mm (8.19 x 4.87 x 0.41 in) | 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm (5.97 x 2.97 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 383 g (13.51 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | P-OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), LG UX 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.6, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3-axis OIS
13 MP, f/1.9, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio
B&O Play certified
24-bit/48kHz audio recording
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio with RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min
10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | New Maroccan Blue, New Platinum Gray |
| Models | - | US998R |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 300 EUR |
BLU M8L Plus
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (likely)
- Large display (likely)
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Lower display quality
- Slower charging
LG V30S ThinQ
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera
- Vibrant OLED display
- Fast charging (wired & wireless)
- Older model
- Potentially limited software updates
- Price (compared to BLU)
Display Comparison
The LG V30S ThinQ features a 6.0-inch P-OLED display with a 1440 x 2880 resolution, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The BLU M8L Plus likely has a smaller, lower-resolution LCD display, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. The V30S's display is noticeably sharper and more visually appealing.
Camera Comparison
The LG V30S ThinQ's camera system is a major advantage. It features a dual-lens setup with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a wide range of features. The BLU M8L Plus likely has a simpler camera setup with lower image quality. The V30S captures more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low light.
Performance
Here's where the V30S truly shines. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset and Kryo CPU provide significantly faster performance than the BLU M8L Plus's Octa-core Cortex-A55. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the V30S. The M8L Plus will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The LG V30S ThinQ has a 3300mAh battery with 18W wired charging and 10W wireless charging. The BLU M8L Plus likely has a smaller battery and slower charging speeds. While battery life will vary based on usage, the V30S generally offers respectable battery performance.
Buying Guide
The BLU M8L Plus is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality. The LG V30S ThinQ is a better choice for users who want a flagship-level experience, including a powerful processor, excellent camera, and fast charging, and are willing to spend a bit more (or find a good deal on a used model).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BLU M8L Plus a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the BLU M8L Plus is suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, especially if you're on a tight budget.
❓ Will the LG V30S ThinQ receive software updates?
LG has largely ended software updates for the V30S ThinQ. However, it may still receive security patches for a limited time.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The LG V30S ThinQ is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics capabilities.
❓ Where can I find the LG V30S ThinQ?
The LG V30S ThinQ is no longer sold new. You can find it on the used market from retailers like eBay or Swappa.