The LG Q51 and G7 ThinQ represent distinct points in LG’s smartphone history. The Q51 aimed for affordability, while the G7 ThinQ was a 2018 flagship. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience, to determine which offers the best value in today’s market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG G7 ThinQ remains the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset delivers significantly faster performance and smoother multitasking compared to the Q51’s Helio P22. While the Q51 offers a more modern software experience (potentially), the G7’s raw power and established feature set justify its higher initial price, even on the used market.
| 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, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 42, 46 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps or Cat15 800/150 Mbps (region dependant) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 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 | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, February 26 | 2018, May 02. Released 2018, June 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.05 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 |
| Weight | - | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| | 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 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3
Wireless (USA) |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen White, Moonlight Titanium | New Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Raspberry Rose |
| Models | LM-Q510N | LM-G710, LM-G710N, LM-G710VM, G710, SM-G710, LM-G710V |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 370 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 77h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 2044:1 (nominal), 3.978 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.5 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 259393 (v7), 297116 (v8)
GeekBench: 8865 (v4.4), 2047 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Q51
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Potentially more up-to-date software (depending on updates).
- Acceptable battery life for basic usage.
- Significantly weaker performance due to the Helio P22 chipset.
- Inferior camera quality compared to the G7 ThinQ.
- Lacks fast charging capabilities.
LG G7 ThinQ
- Flagship-level performance with the Snapdragon 845.
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 3.0.
- Likely superior camera quality and features.
- Older device, potentially limited software support.
- May be harder to find in good condition.
- Higher initial cost (even used).
Display Comparison
Both the LG Q51 and G7 ThinQ share a contrast ratio of 2044:1 (nominal) and 3.978 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the G7 ThinQ, being a flagship, likely benefits from superior color calibration and potentially higher peak brightness, though specific nit values aren't provided. The Q51’s display is likely an IPS LCD, while the G7’s is also IPS LCD, but with a more refined implementation. The G7’s display is likely sharper due to a higher pixel density, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature photo and video capabilities, the G7 ThinQ likely offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience. The G7’s camera system, though details are limited in the provided data, would have benefited from LG’s advanced image processing algorithms available at the time. The Q51, relying on a more basic sensor and processing pipeline, will likely struggle in low-light conditions and lack the dynamic range of the G7. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the G7, a common feature in flagships, would further enhance image clarity and stability.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The LG G7 ThinQ’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10nm) is a flagship-class chipset featuring an octa-core CPU with Kryo 385 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.8GHz. This contrasts sharply with the LG Q51’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Snapdragon 845’s smaller 10nm process node translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance during demanding tasks. The G7’s Adreno 630 GPU also significantly outperforms the Helio P22’s PowerVR GE8320, making it far more capable for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 77 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the G7 ThinQ’s 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support provides significantly faster charging speeds compared to the Q51, which lacks any mention of fast charging. This means the G7 can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 845’s power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the G7.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q51 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and a basic smartphone experience for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the LG G7 ThinQ if you demand responsive performance for gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications, and value a more refined camera system and faster charging capabilities. The G7 is ideal for users who remember flagship experiences and want a capable device without a premium 2024 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG G7 ThinQ still a good phone for gaming in 2024?
Yes, the Snapdragon 845 remains a capable chipset for many mobile games, even in 2024. While it won't match the performance of the latest flagship processors, it can handle most titles at medium to high settings. The G7 ThinQ’s thermal management, aided by the 10nm process, will help prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the LG Q51 support software updates, and is it secure?
Software update support for the LG Q51 is limited. As a budget device released in 2019, it likely has not received major Android version updates beyond its initial release. Security updates may also be infrequent or nonexistent, potentially posing a security risk. Consider this when evaluating the Q51 for long-term use.
❓ What kind of storage options were available for the LG G7 ThinQ?
The LG G7 ThinQ was typically available with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. Importantly, it featured a microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing users to add up to 512GB of additional space. This is a significant advantage over the Q51, which may or may not have expandable storage.
