LG G8X ThinQ vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Which Flagship Holds Up?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG G8X ThinQ is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost and improved efficiency, translating to a significantly longer 111-hour endurance rating compared to the G7's 77 hours. While the G7 offers a higher contrast ratio, the G8X's overall package provides a more future-proof and capable experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG G8X ThinQ | LG G7 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 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 42, 46 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 1960/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps or Cat15 800/150 Mbps (region dependant) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - USA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G710EMW, G710EAW1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,17,20,25,29,30,38,41,46,66 - G710AWM | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 06. Released 2019, November 01 | 2018, May 02. Released 2018, June 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm (6.03 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) 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* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 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 (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB 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 | 16 MP, f/1.6, 30mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/1.9, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", no AF |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned by Meridian Audio | 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless | 18W wired, QC3 Wireless (USA) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black | New Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Raspberry Rose |
| Models | LMG850EMW, LM-G850, 901LG, LM-G850N | LM-G710, LM-G710N, LM-G710VM, G710, SM-G710, LM-G710V |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB | Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 111h | Endurance rating 77h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 2044:1 (nominal), 3.978 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.9 LUFS (Very good) | -24.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 339726 (v7), 411980 (v8) GeekBench: 11251 (v4.4), 2870 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 259393 (v7), 297116 (v8) GeekBench: 8865 (v4.4), 2047 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG G8X ThinQ
- Significantly longer battery life (111h endurance)
- More powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- Faster 21W wired charging with PD/QC3
- Adds 9W wireless charging
- Lower display contrast ratio compared to G7
- Potentially larger physical size
LG G7 ThinQ
- Higher display contrast ratio (2044:1)
- Excellent sunlight readability (3.978 contrast)
- Potentially more compact form factor
- Lower price point (likely)
- Shorter battery life (77h endurance)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 845 processor
- Slower 18W wired charging
Display Comparison
The LG G8X ThinQ boasts a peak brightness of 603 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor visibility compared to the G7 ThinQ. However, the G7 excels in contrast with a 2044:1 ratio versus the G8X’s ‘infinite’ (nominal) rating, which often translates to less deep blacks. The G7’s 3.978 sunlight contrast ratio suggests better readability in direct sunlight, while the G8X’s brightness helps overcome glare. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, a common omission for flagships of this era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking in the provided data. The G8X’s Snapdragon 855 ISP likely offers improved image processing algorithms and potentially better low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the G8X’s more modern chipset provides a foundation for superior image quality. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the G8X, a feature becoming standard in 2019, is a likely advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the G8X ThinQ utilizes the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7nm) while the G7 ThinQ features the SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 855’s 7nm process offers improved power efficiency and thermal headroom. The G8X’s octa-core CPU configuration (2.84GHz Kryo 485 + 2.42GHz Kryo 485 + 1.78GHz Kryo 485) provides a performance edge over the G7’s (2.8GHz Kryo 385 Gold + 1.7GHz Kryo 385 Silver). This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the G8X.
Battery Life
The LG G8X ThinQ’s endurance rating of 111 hours is a substantial improvement over the G7 ThinQ’s 77 hours. This is a direct result of the more efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset and potentially optimized power management. While the G7 supports 18W wired charging, the G8X steps up with 21W wired charging, supporting Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3). The G8X also adds 9W wireless charging, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the G7, though it was available in some US models.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG G8X ThinQ if you prioritize sustained performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and require all-day battery life. Its Snapdragon 855 offers a tangible upgrade over the G7. Buy the LG G7 ThinQ if you are on a tighter budget and value a display with excellent contrast, particularly for media consumption in varied lighting conditions, and don't require the absolute latest processing power.