LG V50S ThinQ 5G vs LG G8X ThinQ: Which Snapdragon 855 Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Launched in different eras, the LG V50S ThinQ 5G and LG G8X ThinQ both center around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855. However, they target slightly different user needs. The V50S arrived as LG’s 5G flagship, while the G8X focused on modularity and a strong multimedia experience. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences to help you choose the best fit.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the LG G8X ThinQ emerges as the slightly better choice. While both share the Snapdragon 855, the G8X’s reported 111-hour endurance rating suggests superior battery optimization, making it more practical for daily use. The V50S’s 5G capability is less relevant now.

PHONES
Phone Names LG V50S ThinQ 5G LG G8X ThinQ
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands41 NSA-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 1960/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2019, September 06. Released 2019, November 01
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)159.3 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)192 g (6.77 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* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10OLED, HDR10
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual12 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", 1.0µm12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 9mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-3.15 MP, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned by Meridian Audio32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned by Meridian Audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB 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
Browser-HTML, Adobe Flash
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless
Talk time-Up to 12 h (multimedia)
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAurora BlackNew Aurora Black
ModelsLM-V510NLMG850EMW, LM-G850, 901LG, LM-G850N
PriceAbout 1100 EURAbout 560 EUR
SAR-1.12 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.90 W/kg (head)    
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.2dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 111h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 339726 (v7), 411980 (v8) GeekBench: 11251 (v4.4), 2870 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG V50S ThinQ 5G

  • 5G Connectivity (potentially useful depending on location)
  • Snapdragon 855 Performance
  • Fast Charging Support (21W)

  • Likely Shorter Battery Life
  • Potential for Thermal Throttling
  • Limited Camera Information

LG G8X ThinQ

  • Excellent Battery Endurance (111h)
  • Brighter Display (603 nits)
  • Snapdragon 855 Performance

  • No 5G Connectivity
  • Limited Camera Information
  • May be harder to find new

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the G8X’s measured 603 nits of peak brightness. This suggests the G8X offers superior visibility in direct sunlight. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio on the G8X, while a marketing term, likely indicates a strong OLED panel. Without knowing the panel technology (OLED vs LCD) or refresh rate of the V50S, the G8X’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor users. Bezels are assumed to be comparable given the similar design language of LG flagships from this period.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of specific camera specs suggests neither phone was a standout in the camera department compared to competitors. We can assume both offer a standard flagship camera experience for the time, but lack the advanced features found in later models. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary lenses (like 2MP macro sensors), the primary camera performance will be the deciding factor, and without data, it's impossible to declare a winner.

Performance

The core performance is identical: both the V50S and G8X are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) with the same octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This means similar performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. However, thermal management could differ. The V50S, being a 5G phone, might have a slightly more constrained thermal envelope due to the additional components, potentially leading to more throttling under sustained load. RAM specifications are not provided, but both likely feature at least 6GB, sufficient for smooth multitasking.

Battery Life

The LG G8X ThinQ boasts an endurance rating of 111 hours, a significant advantage. While the V50S’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the G8X’s endurance suggests superior power efficiency. Both support 21W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3), and 9W wireless charging. The G8X’s longer endurance means fewer charging cycles, extending battery lifespan. The 0-100% charge time will be similar on both, around 1.5-2 hours with the 21W charger.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG V50S ThinQ 5G if you specifically need 5G connectivity and are willing to compromise on battery life. It’s a good option for those heavily invested in 5G infrastructure. Buy the LG G8X ThinQ if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more balanced overall experience. It’s ideal for media consumption and general productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the 5G capability of the LG V50S ThinQ 5G still relevant in 2024?
While the V50S was an early 5G adopter, 5G networks have matured significantly. The performance gains from 5G on the V50S may be minimal compared to newer 5G devices, and the battery drain associated with 5G connectivity could negate any speed benefits. The G8X’s focus on battery life may be more valuable in today’s landscape.
❓ Does the LG G8X ThinQ support expandable storage via microSD card?
LG flagships from this era often omitted microSD card slots. While not explicitly stated in the provided data, it's highly probable that the G8X does *not* support expandable storage. Users should carefully consider their storage needs before purchasing.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 855 in these phones handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 855 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings. However, sustained gaming will likely lead to some thermal throttling on both devices. The G8X’s potentially better thermal management (due to the lack of 5G components) might result in slightly more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.