LG G8X ThinQ vs. LG G8 ThinQ: A Deep Dive into Battery, Display, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG G8X ThinQ is the superior choice. Its 111-hour endurance rating, a 40% improvement over the G8's 79 hours, addresses a key weakness of the original. While the G8 boasts a brighter display, the G8X's extended battery life provides a more consistently positive user experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG G8 ThinQ | LG G8X ThinQ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 1960/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - Verison | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 11 | 2019, September 06. Released 2019, November 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.9 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm (5.98 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) | 159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 167 g (5.89 oz) | 192 g (6.77 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) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | |
| 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 (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | OLED, 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 (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 9mm (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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., 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) | 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned by Meridian 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| 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, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Face ID, Hand ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red | New Aurora Black |
| Models | LMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM | LMG850EMW, LM-G850, 901LG, LM-G850N |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 560 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB | Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 79h | Endurance rating 111h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: infinite | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 92dB | -24.9 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 331537 (v7), 362730 (v8) GeekBench: 10735 (v4.4), 2700 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 339726 (v7), 411980 (v8) GeekBench: 11251 (v4.4), 2870 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG G8 ThinQ
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially lower price point (due to age)
- Similar performance to the G8X
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Requires more frequent charging
- May not last a full day with heavy use
LG G8X ThinQ
- Exceptional battery life (111h endurance)
- More reliable all-day performance
- Compatibility with Dual Screen accessory
- Slightly dimmer display
- May be more expensive than the G8
- Same chipset as the older G8
Display Comparison
The LG G8 ThinQ features a display capable of reaching 655 nits of peak brightness, making it more visible in direct sunlight compared to the G8X's 603 nits. Both displays boast an infinite contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, the difference in brightness is the primary distinction. While both offer excellent color reproduction, the G8's higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. The G8X's display, while slightly dimmer, is still perfectly adequate for indoor use and benefits from the longer battery life to offset the brightness difference.
Camera Comparison
Both devices share the same 'Photo / Video' camera designation in the provided data, indicating a similar camera system. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to draw definitive conclusions. However, LG's flagship phones typically prioritize image quality and versatility. The absence of information regarding sensor size or aperture makes a detailed comparison impossible. It's reasonable to assume both phones offer a competent camera experience, but neither stands out as a clear winner based on the available data. We can assume both phones have similar image processing pipelines.
Performance
Both the LG G8 ThinQ and G8X ThinQ are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This means performance in everyday tasks and demanding applications will be virtually identical. Neither device specifies RAM speed, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X. Thermal management is also expected to be similar, with the Snapdragon 855 being known for relatively efficient performance. The lack of a newer chipset is a limitation for both, but the focus here is on the differences *between* the two.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in battery life. The LG G8X ThinQ boasts an endurance rating of 111 hours, a substantial improvement over the G8 ThinQ's 79 hours. Both support 21W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3), as well as 9W wireless charging. This means charging speeds are comparable. However, the G8X's larger battery capacity translates to significantly longer usage between charges, making it ideal for power users or those who frequently travel. The G8's shorter battery life may require more frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and are comfortable with carrying a power bank or charging frequently. It's a good option if you find a significantly discounted price. Buy the LG G8X ThinQ if battery life is paramount, you anticipate heavy usage, or you're interested in the optional Dual Screen accessory. The G8X offers a more reliable, all-day experience without compromising performance.