The LG G8 ThinQ is LG’s latest flagship smartphone, aiming to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S10, Apple iPhone XS, and Google Pixel 3. The phone promises powerful performance, an improved camera, and a range of innovative features designed to set it apart from the competition. But has the G8 ThinQ done enough to make a strong impact on the market? Let’s find out.

Design and Display

The LG G8 ThinQ sports a sleek glass body with an aluminum frame which gives it a premium look and feel. It’s equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED display with QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels) at 564ppi. The display is bright and vibrant with excellent contrast, making it perfect for consuming media and gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the G8 ThinQ is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 chipset coupled with 6GB RAM, offering smooth performance and impressive multitasking capabilities. With its powerful processor and ample RAM, you won’t have any issues running the latest games or apps.

Battery life

The LG G8 ThinQ comes with a 3,500mAh battery which provides decent endurance throughout the day. While it doesn’t top some of its rivals in terms of battery life, it should still last you through a full day of moderate use without needing to reach for the charger.

Camera

The main camera setup on the G8 ThinQ is a dual-camera system that combines a 12-megapixel primary lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The front-facing camera boasts an 8-megapixel resolution alongside ToF (Time of Flight) sensor for advanced facial recognition and selfie portrait mode.

The camera quality is good but not exceptional. It can capture detailed, well-lit shots but struggles in high contrast and low light situations. You’ll find that other flagships, such as the Galaxy S10 or the Pixel 3, deliver better overall performance in the camera department.

Innovative Features

One of the standout features of the G8 ThinQ is its Air Motion gestures. These utilize the ToF sensor to control your device with hand gestures without touching the screen. Though it’s an interesting idea, implementation is somewhat clunky and not always responsive.

Another unique feature is the Hand ID, which uses the same ToF sensor to unlock your phone by
simply recognizing the veins in your hand. Unfortunately, this feature also suffers from inconsistent performance and can be easily bypassed using a printed image of your hand.

Final Verdict

The LG G8 ThinQ offers a lot for those seeking a solid flagship smartphone experience: fast performance, beautiful design, and it’s packed with features. However, it fails to stand out in any one area, making it a tough sell against well-established competitors. As a result, it feels like LG’s G8 ThinQ just couldn’t catch a break in a fiercely competitive market.