The smartphone landscape is vast, with options for every budget and need. Today, we pit a modern budget contender, the Nokia C12 Plus, against a flagship from a bygone era, the LG G8S ThinQ. Can a budget phone truly compete with a former powerhouse?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG G8S ThinQ is the clear winner in almost every category. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset, superior camera, and vibrant display offer a premium experience. However, the Nokia C12 Plus provides incredible value for those prioritizing affordability and basic functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 01 | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, July 02 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 155.3 x 76.6 x 8 mm (6.11 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2248 pixels (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.21 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | G-OLED, HDR10 |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) - single-SIM modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual-SIM model |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1.4µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.6, 49mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 14mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth sensor) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3
Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3550 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Mirror Black, Mirror Teal, Mirror White, Carmine Red, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue |
| Models | - | LMG810, LM-G810, LMG810EAW |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 480 EUR |
Nokia C12 Plus
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Durable build quality (typical Nokia)
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Outdated software
LG G8S ThinQ
- Powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset
- Excellent camera system
- Vibrant OLED display
- Wireless charging
- Premium design
- Older model (limited software updates)
- Smaller battery compared to C12 Plus
- Potentially higher price (depending on availability)
Display Comparison
The LG G8S ThinQ boasts a 6.2-inch OLED display with a crisp 2280 x 1080 resolution and vibrant colors. The Nokia C12 Plus features a smaller 6.53-inch IPS LCD display with a 720 x 1600 resolution. The G8S offers significantly better viewing angles, contrast, and overall image quality.
Camera Comparison
The LG G8S ThinQ features a triple-lens rear camera system (12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP depth sensor) capable of capturing detailed photos and videos. The Nokia C12 Plus has a basic 13MP rear camera. The G8S offers superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
Performance
Here's where the difference is most stark. The LG G8S ThinQ's Snapdragon 855 is a flagship-level chipset, providing blazing-fast performance for demanding games and apps. The Nokia C12 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A1 struggles with heavier tasks and multitasking. Expect noticeable lag on the C12 Plus.
Battery Life
The Nokia C12 Plus has a 4000mAh battery, offering decent battery life for its usage profile. The LG G8S ThinQ has a 3300mAh battery. While the C12 Plus has a larger capacity, the G8S's more efficient processor helps it compete, though the C12 Plus will likely last longer under moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 Plus is ideal for first-time smartphone users, those needing a secondary device, or anyone on a very tight budget. The LG G8S ThinQ is a great choice for users seeking a powerful, feature-rich phone, especially if they can find it at a discounted price given its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG G8S ThinQ still worth buying?
If you can find it at a good price, the LG G8S ThinQ remains a capable phone with a great camera and performance. However, be aware that software updates are likely discontinued.
❓ What is the Nokia C12 Plus best used for?
The Nokia C12 Plus is best suited for basic tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and light social media use. It's a reliable and affordable option for those on a budget.
