LG V50 ThinQ 5G vs. LG G8 ThinQ: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and future-proofing, the LG V50 ThinQ 5G is the better choice. Its significantly superior 96-hour endurance rating, coupled with 5G connectivity, outweighs the G8’s brighter display. However, users who value faster charging and a slightly more vibrant screen may prefer the G8.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V50 ThinQ 5G | LG G8 ThinQ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA | 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 |
| 5G bands | 41, 260, 261 NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - Verison | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 19 | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 11 |
| 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 | 159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 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 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 | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-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 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 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, 27mm (wide), f/1.5, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3-axis OIS 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, 16mm (ultrawide), f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR10 video, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| 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) |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 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 with 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Face ID, Hand ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi) | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black | Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red |
| Models | LM-V500, LM-V500N, LM-V500EM, LM-V500XM, LM-V450PM, LM-V450 | LMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB | Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 96h | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 194000:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: infinite |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 92dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 343758 (v7), 421934 (v8) GeekBench: 10928 (v4.4), 2672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 331537 (v7), 362730 (v8) GeekBench: 10735 (v4.4), 2700 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Significantly longer battery life (96h endurance)
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Higher contrast ratio for potentially better image quality
- Lower peak display brightness
- Slower wired charging speed (18W)
LG G8 ThinQ
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster wired charging speed (21W)
- Potentially more vibrant display colors
- Shorter battery life (79h endurance)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
The LG G8 ThinQ boasts a brighter display, peaking at 655 nits, compared to the V50’s 533 nits. This 22% increase in peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, the V50 counters with a significantly higher contrast ratio of 194000:1 (nominal) versus the G8’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio – a marketing term often used for OLED displays, but lacking a specific measured value. While both likely utilize OLED technology, the V50’s specified contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more dynamic image. Both displays share the same resolution, so sharpness isn’t a differentiating factor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor specifications are lacking in the provided data. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a definitive camera comparison is difficult. Both are listed as supporting Photo and Video, indicating similar functionality. The absence of any mention of advanced features like time-of-flight sensors or specialized lenses suggests a focus on core photography capabilities rather than gimmicks. The G8’s marketing often highlighted its camera features, but without concrete specs, it’s impossible to determine if it offers a tangible advantage over the V50.
Performance
Both the LG V50 and G8 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) chipset, featuring an identical octa-core CPU configuration. This means performance in everyday tasks and most games will be virtually indistinguishable. The absence of a significant thermal advantage for either device, given the same chipset and process node, suggests performance throttling will be similar under sustained load. RAM configurations are not specified, but both likely feature ample RAM for smooth multitasking. The V50’s 5G modem adds a layer of complexity, potentially impacting thermal performance during 5G usage, but this is unlikely to be a major concern for most users.
Battery Life
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G’s endurance rating of 96 hours is a clear win over the G8’s 79 hours. This 21% improvement in battery life is substantial and translates to a noticeable difference in real-world usage. While the G8 supports faster 21W wired charging compared to the V50’s 18W, the V50’s larger battery capacity and superior efficiency mean it still offers a longer overall usage time. The V50 also supports PD2.0 and QC3, while the G8 supports PD and QC3. Wireless charging is present on both, with the V50 offering 10W and the G8 offering 9W – a minor difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50 ThinQ 5G if you need extended battery life for all-day use, want access to 5G networks for faster data speeds, and prioritize a phone that will last through demanding tasks. Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you prefer a brighter display for outdoor visibility, value faster 21W wired charging, and are less concerned with 5G connectivity or maximizing battery endurance.