LG V40 ThinQ vs. LG G8 ThinQ: A Detailed Comparison for Power Users

Released within a year of each other, the LG V40 ThinQ and G8 ThinQ represent LG’s flagship efforts, but cater to slightly different priorities. The V40 focused on multimedia and camera versatility, while the G8 aimed for a more refined, AI-driven experience. With both phones now available at significantly reduced prices, the question of which offers the best value is more relevant than ever.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the LG G8 ThinQ emerges as the better choice. Its newer Snapdragon 855 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost, and the improved 79-hour endurance rating provides significantly longer battery life. While the V40’s camera is capable, the G8’s overall package offers a more modern and efficient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names LG V40 ThinQ LG G8 ThinQ
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - V405QA7HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - V405QA71, 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
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - V405QA72, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - Verison
Launch
Announced2018, October 03. Released 2018, October 162019, February 24. Released 2019, April 11
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 75.7 x 7.6 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)151.9 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm (5.98 x 2.83 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)167 g (5.89 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, HDR10P-OLED, HDR10
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 640
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, 27mm (standard), f/1.5, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3-axis OIS 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, 16mm (ultrawide), f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1.4µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-8 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/48kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)FM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, Hand ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi)21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless
TypeLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsNew Platinum Gray, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan BluePlatinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red
ModelsV405, LM-V405, LM-V409NLMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 350 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -94.1dB Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB
Battery life Endurance rating 64h Endurance rating 79h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 161500:1 (nominal), 4.256 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: infinite
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 77dB Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 92dB
Performance AnTuTu: 254304 (v7) GeekBench: 8568 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 331537 (v7), 362730 (v8) GeekBench: 10735 (v4.4), 2700 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG V40 ThinQ

  • Slightly warmer, more saturated display (preference-based)
  • Versatile triple-camera system with multiple focal lengths
  • Supports PD2.0 for faster charging with compatible adapters

  • Older Snapdragon 845 chipset
  • Lower battery endurance (64h)
  • Less efficient power consumption

LG G8 ThinQ

  • More efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • Superior battery life (79h)
  • Brighter and more color-accurate display

  • Slightly slower wireless charging (9W)
  • AI-driven image processing may not appeal to all users
  • Potentially less vibrant display for those preferring warmer tones

Display Comparison

The LG G8 ThinQ boasts a significant advantage in display technology. While the V40’s display achieves an impressive 161500:1 contrast ratio (nominal), the G8’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel. More importantly, the G8’s measured peak brightness of 655 nits surpasses what we’d expect from the V40, making it more usable in direct sunlight. The V40’s contrast ratio, while high, is a nominal figure and likely doesn’t translate to the same real-world impact as the G8’s OLED. Both phones offer excellent viewing angles, but the G8’s superior brightness and contrast give it the edge for outdoor visibility and overall image quality.

Camera Comparison

Both the V40 and G8 ThinQ offer versatile camera systems, but the differences lie in their processing and feature sets. Both are capable of photo and video, but detailed sensor information is missing. The V40’s strength lies in its triple-camera array, offering a wider range of focal lengths. However, the G8’s AI-powered scene optimization and image processing algorithms likely deliver more consistent results in challenging lighting conditions. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the G8’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 855 likely provides an advantage in dynamic range and noise reduction.

Performance

The move from the Snapdragon 845 (10nm) in the V40 to the Snapdragon 855 (7nm) in the G8 represents a substantial architectural leap. The 855’s smaller fabrication process translates to improved thermal efficiency and higher sustained performance. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration, the G8’s Kryo 485 cores offer a slight clock speed advantage and architectural improvements. This results in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive games. The V40’s 845 is still capable, but the G8’s 855 provides a more future-proof and responsive experience.

Battery Life

The LG G8 ThinQ delivers a clear victory in battery endurance. Its 79-hour rating significantly outpaces the V40’s 64-hour rating. This difference is attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset and potentially optimized software power management. While the V40 supports 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 and PD2.0, the G8 steps it up to 21W, offering slightly faster charging speeds. The G8’s wireless charging is also slightly slower at 9W compared to the V40’s 10W, but the overall battery life advantage outweighs this minor difference. The G8’s efficiency means less time tethered to a charger.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG V40 ThinQ if you prioritize a slightly warmer, more saturated display and are heavily invested in video recording, potentially benefiting from its dedicated camera features. Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you value longer battery life, smoother performance for demanding applications, and a brighter, more color-accurate display for everyday use. The G8 is the better all-rounder.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the G8 ThinQ offer a noticeable performance improvement over the 845 in the V40 for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 provides a tangible performance boost for gaming. The improved GPU architecture and thermal efficiency of the 7nm process allow for higher frame rates and more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. While both phones can handle most games, the G8 will deliver a smoother and more consistent experience, especially in demanding titles.
❓ I'm concerned about software updates. Which phone is more likely to receive continued support?
Neither the V40 nor the G8 ThinQ are currently receiving major Android updates. LG has exited the smartphone market. However, the G8, being a slightly newer device, *might* have a marginally longer lifespan for security patches, but this is not guaranteed. Both phones are reliant on community-driven custom ROMs for continued software support.
❓ The V40 has a triple camera. Is that significantly better than the G8's camera?
The V40's triple camera offers versatility with its different focal lengths, but the G8's camera benefits from the Snapdragon 855's improved image signal processor. This results in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The G8's AI scene optimization can also enhance photos automatically.