LG G8 ThinQ vs Google Pixel 5: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship and Mid-Range Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Google Pixel 5 is the better choice. Its superior 95-hour endurance rating and optimized software outweigh the LG G8 ThinQ’s raw processing power. However, power users demanding maximum performance for demanding tasks will find the G8 more appealing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG G8 ThinQ | Google Pixel 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQ |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - Verison | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9Q | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 11 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, October 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.9 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm (5.98 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 167 g (5.89 oz) | 151 g (5.33 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* Method 516.6, Procedure IV "Transit Drop" *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Dual or Triple | 12 MP, f/1.5, 27mm (standard), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/1.9, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF or 12 MP, f/1.5, 27mm (standard), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/1.9, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, dual pixel PDAF, OIS | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, Hand ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless | 18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4080 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red | Just Black, Sorta Sage |
| Models | LMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM | GD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | € 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00 |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 194.84 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 253.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 79h | Endurance rating 95h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: infinite | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 92dB | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 331537 (v7), 362730 (v8) GeekBench: 10735 (v4.4), 2700 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
LG G8 ThinQ
- More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- Faster 21W wired charging
- Potentially better image detail in optimal conditions
- Shorter battery life (79h endurance)
- Higher potential for thermal throttling
- Older software support cycle
Google Pixel 5
- Significantly longer battery life (95h endurance)
- More efficient Snapdragon 765G processor
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Less powerful processor than the G8 ThinQ
- Slower 18W wired charging
- May not excel in demanding gaming scenarios
Display Comparison
Both the LG G8 ThinQ and Google Pixel 5 feature displays with an infinite contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the Pixel 5 edges out the G8 in peak brightness, achieving 699 nits compared to the G8’s 655 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer a good viewing experience, the Pixel 5’s slightly brighter panel provides a more comfortable experience outdoors. Neither device specifies refresh rate, implying standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. The Pixel 5’s strength lies in its computational photography, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to produce excellent results in various conditions. The G8, with its potentially larger sensor (based on its flagship status), may offer better dynamic range and detail in ideal lighting. Without specific sensor size and aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Pixel 5’s software optimization gives it an edge in consistent image quality.
Performance
The LG G8 ThinQ’s Snapdragon 855, with its octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485), delivers significantly higher raw processing power than the Pixel 5’s Snapdragon 765G (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This difference is noticeable in benchmark scores and demanding tasks like video editing. However, the 765G’s efficiency allows the Pixel 5 to maintain performance under sustained load with less thermal throttling. The Pixel 5’s 8GB of RAM is standard, while the G8’s RAM configuration isn’t specified, but is likely similar.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 5’s 95-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the LG G8 ThinQ’s 79-hour rating. This is a direct result of the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency. While the G8 supports faster 21W wired charging (with PD and QC3) compared to the Pixel 5’s 18W (PD2.0), the Pixel 5’s longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging. The Pixel 5 also offers 12W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, features absent on the G8.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you need uncompromising processing power for gaming or demanding applications and are willing to accept shorter battery life. Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you prioritize all-day battery life, a clean Android experience with timely updates, and a more balanced overall package, especially at its current price point.