The LG G8S ThinQ and V60 ThinQ 5G represent LG's flagship efforts in 2020, but cater to slightly different priorities. The G8S aimed for a more accessible price point while still delivering a premium experience, while the V60 pushed the boundaries with 5G connectivity and a larger display. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, battery life, and camera capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and 5G connectivity, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift and supports faster 5G speeds. However, the G8S remains a compelling option for those seeking a more affordable flagship experience with solid performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat22, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, July 02 | 2020, February 26. Released 2020, March 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 155.3 x 76.6 x 8 mm (6.11 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 169.3 x 77.6 x 8.9 mm (6.67 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 213 g (Global)/ 218 g (Verizon) (7.51 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 | 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 |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2248 pixels (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.21 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | G-OLED, HDR10 | P-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 Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| 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 | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (standard), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/1.9, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1.4µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.6, 49mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 14mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, HDR10+, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth sensor) | 10 MP, f/1.9, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio
24-bit/192kHz audio recording |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (USA model only) |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3
Wireless | Wired, PD2.0, QC4
Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3550 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Mirror Teal, Mirror White, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | Classy Blue, Classy White |
| Models | LMG810, LM-G810, LMG810EAW | LM-V600, A001LG |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 103h
|
LG G8S ThinQ
- More affordable price point
- Potentially more compact form factor
- Solid Snapdragon 855 performance
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older Snapdragon 855 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
LG V60 ThinQ 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset
- Faster charging with PD2.0 and QC4
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger and less pocketable
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both devices feature high-quality displays, specific details are missing. Given LG's history, both likely utilize OLED panels. The V60, being the higher-end model, likely boasts a larger display size and potentially higher peak brightness. The Snapdragon 865's image signal processor (ISP) also benefits the V60's display by enabling more accurate color reproduction and dynamic range. The G8S, however, may offer a slightly more compact form factor, appealing to users who prefer one-handed usability.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but we can infer differences based on the devices' positioning. The V60, as the flagship, likely features a larger primary sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 865’s ISP contributes to superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. While both likely offer similar features like optical image stabilization (OIS), the V60’s superior processing power allows for more sophisticated computational photography techniques. The G8S, while still capable, will likely exhibit slightly less detail and dynamic range in challenging lighting scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the G8S utilizes the Snapdragon 855, while the V60 features the Snapdragon 865 5G. The 865, built on a 7nm+ process, represents a significant architectural improvement over the 855's 7nm node. The V60’s CPU utilizes Cortex-A77 cores compared to the Kryo 485 in the G8S, offering improved single-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the V60. The 865 also includes an integrated 5G modem, a feature absent in the G8S. While both share 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment), the V60 benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
Both the LG G8S ThinQ and V60 ThinQ 5G have an endurance rating of 103h, suggesting similar real-world battery performance despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified). However, the V60’s Snapdragon 865, despite being more powerful, is also more power-efficient. Furthermore, the V60 supports faster charging standards – PD2.0 and QC4 – compared to the G8S’s QC3, resulting in quicker 0-100% charge times. This faster charging capability partially offsets any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG G8S ThinQ if you need a capable flagship experience on a tighter budget and don't require 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who prioritize a balanced feature set and don't anticipate demanding mobile gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the LG V60 ThinQ 5G if you prefer a larger display, faster 5G speeds, and the extra processing power of the Snapdragon 865, making it suitable for power users, mobile gamers, and those wanting a device that will remain relevant for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG V60's 5G connectivity actually make a difference in my daily use?
The benefit of 5G depends heavily on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, especially for data-intensive tasks like streaming high-resolution video or downloading large files. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the difference may be negligible.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the V60 get noticeably hotter than the 855 in the G8S during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 865 is more powerful, it can also generate more heat. Both phones likely employ thermal management systems, but the V60 may experience more noticeable throttling under sustained heavy loads like prolonged gaming. However, the improved performance of the 865 often outweighs the potential for minor throttling.
❓ Is the lack of a headphone jack on either phone a significant drawback?
Both the G8S and V60 omit a 3.5mm headphone jack, relying on USB-C audio or Bluetooth connectivity. This may require users to purchase a USB-C adapter or wireless headphones, adding to the overall cost. However, the improved water resistance and internal space gained by removing the jack are potential benefits.
