LG V50S 5G vs. LG G8 ThinQ: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG V50S ThinQ 5G emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 855 chipset and charging capabilities, the V50S’s 5G support and potentially wider availability make it more future-proof. The G8’s brighter display is a plus, but doesn’t outweigh the V50S’s connectivity advantage.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V50S 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41 | 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 NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/75 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, October. Released 2019, October | 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 | 159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 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 | 192 g (6.77 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 | 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 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | 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 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 |
| 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 | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (standard), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 9mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm | - |
| 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Face ID, Hand ID, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Aurora Black | Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red |
| Models | LM-V510N | LMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM |
| Price | About 1100 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: infinite |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 92dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 331537 (v7), 362730 (v8) GeekBench: 10735 (v4.4), 2700 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V50S ThinQ 5G
- 5G Connectivity for faster data speeds
- Same Snapdragon 855 performance as the G8
- Potentially wider availability and support
- Battery life data unavailable
- Display brightness likely lower than the G8
LG G8 ThinQ
- Brighter display (655 nits) for outdoor visibility
- Good battery endurance (79h rating)
- Innovative Air Motion gesture controls
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Air Motion controls are niche and may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
Both the LG V50S ThinQ 5G and G8 ThinQ feature displays with infinite contrast ratios, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the LG G8 ThinQ boasts a measured peak brightness of 655 nits, a notable advantage over the V50S (brightness data unavailable). This higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED technology (implied by infinite contrast), the G8’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for outdoor use. The lack of information on the V50S’s display tech prevents a deeper analysis of color accuracy or refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both the LG V50S ThinQ 5G and G8 ThinQ offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a meaningful comparison is difficult. The presence of a 'Photo / Video' label for both suggests similar feature sets, but image processing styles could differ. The absence of details regarding the main sensor’s resolution or quality makes it impossible to determine which device captures superior images. Any mention of 2MP macro or depth sensors is ignored due to their limited utility.
Performance
Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This means performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming will be virtually identical. The absence of RAM specifications in the provided data prevents a comparison of memory bandwidth. Thermal management performance is also unknown, but the Snapdragon 855 is known to throttle under sustained load, so both devices will likely experience some performance degradation during extended gaming sessions. The V50S’s 5G modem *could* introduce additional thermal considerations, but this is speculative without testing.
Battery Life
The LG G8 ThinQ has an endurance rating of 79 hours, indicating respectable battery life. The V50S’s battery life is not specified. Both devices support 21W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3) standards, and 9W wireless charging. This means charging speeds will be comparable. The G8’s higher endurance rating suggests it can last longer on a single charge, but the V50S’s 5G connectivity could potentially impact battery life due to increased power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50S ThinQ 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity for faster data speeds and anticipate using it in areas with 5G coverage. It’s also the better option for those seeking a more well-rounded flagship experience. Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you value a significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility and are intrigued by the unique Air Motion gesture controls, though these features are niche.