LG Velvet vs. LG G8 ThinQ: Which LG Flagship Delivers More?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG G8 ThinQ offers a more compelling package. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and faster charging, provides a noticeable performance edge. While the Velvet offers a modern design, the G8’s raw power and established features justify its position as the better choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG Velvet | LG G8 ThinQ |
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - Verison | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 28. Released 2020, July 31 | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.1 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 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 |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 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 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~564 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED | P-OLED, HDR10 |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR10, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 15W wired, QC3 9W wireless | 21W wired, PD, QC3 9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora Silver | Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Carmine Red |
| Models | LMG910EMW, LM-G910EMW | LMG820QM7, LM-G820UMB, LMG820UM0, LMG820UM1, LMG820UM2, LM-G820N, LM-G820, LM-G820QM |
| Price | About 360 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 Velvet
- More modern design aesthetic
- Potentially lower price point
- Competent performance for everyday tasks
- Older Snapdragon 845 chipset
- Slower charging speeds (15W)
- Display brightness likely inferior to G8
LG G8 ThinQ
- Faster Snapdragon 855 chipset
- Brighter display (655 nits)
- Faster charging (21W with PD/QC3)
- Less modern design
- Potentially higher price
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The LG G8 ThinQ boasts a display capable of reaching 655 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Velvet’s display specs aren’t provided, the G8’s higher brightness is a significant advantage. The G8 also features an infinite contrast ratio, suggesting a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The lack of detailed display information for the Velvet makes a direct comparison difficult, but the G8’s measured brightness gives it a clear lead.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the G8 ThinQ’s position as a higher-tier flagship suggests a potentially more sophisticated camera system with better image processing. The Velvet’s camera is likely competent, but the G8’s likely benefits from LG’s more advanced camera algorithms at the time of release.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the G8 ThinQ utilizes the Snapdragon 855 (7nm process), while the Velvet is equipped with the Snapdragon 845 (10nm process). The 855’s 7nm fabrication allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the 845’s 10nm node. The G8’s CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) offers a slight clock speed advantage over the Velvet’s (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver), translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both devices share a 9W wireless charging capability. However, the G8 ThinQ’s 21W wired charging (with PD and QC3 support) is significantly faster than the Velvet’s 15W wired charging (QC3). Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 79 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the difference in charging speeds. The G8’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Velvet if you prioritize a more contemporary aesthetic and are comfortable with slightly older hardware. It’s a good option for users who primarily use their phones for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the LG G8 ThinQ if you demand smoother performance in demanding applications, appreciate a brighter and more vibrant display, and value faster charging speeds. This phone is ideal for power users and mobile gamers.