Of all the major global brands in the field of smart phones, LG is probably the easiest to overlook. The company does not have a large presence in the budget and current segments these days, but it still brings out a premium model of the V series and the G series every year. We really liked what we have seen, and these phones have impressed us with their cameras, screens and overall performance. More importantly, LG seems to think a lot about its products, with several features and small amenities that stand out in an increasingly homogeneous world.
The new LG G8s ThinQ arrived on the Indian market much later than we expected for a 2019 flagship device, so it doesn't win any scoop in terms of specifications. Is this phone good enough to win over the buyers who are seeing the current "flagships of value" from OnePlus, Xiaomi and others, or even more premium models from Samsung and Apple? We are about to discover it.
LG G8s ThinQ design
LG is not opening new paths with the design of the G8s ThinQ. In fact, it could almost be considered dated, with relatively thick screen edges and a huge and wide notch. Most other manufacturers have already evolved to more elegant designs. One thing that stands out immediately is the off-center headset. This was probably necessary to accommodate a front camera, as well as a 3D flight time sensor and infrared illuminator, but it is not an elegant solution.
This phone is only available in Mirror Black finish in India, and LG wasn't kidding when he chose the word "mirror" to describe it. Both the front and the back are made of glass, and both are incredibly bright and reflective. The back panel is effectively a mirror and looks very elegant and premium at first glance. However, it is impossible to use this phone without spotting it, and fingerprints are collected instantly.
Our review unit had a sticker on the back with some regulatory information, and left a residue that took years to clean. We were afraid of scratching the surface, but LG says there are Gorilla Glass 6 in the back and Gorilla Glass 5 in the front, which is reassuring. The frame of the G8s ThinQ is made of metal and also has a dark polished finish that matches the glass. It has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810G compliance for shock resistance.
The new LG G8s ThinQ arrived on the Indian market much later than we expected for a 2019 flagship device, so it doesn't win any scoop in terms of specifications. Is this phone good enough to win over the buyers who are seeing the current "flagships of value" from OnePlus, Xiaomi and others, or even more premium models from Samsung and Apple? We are about to discover it.
LG G8s ThinQ design
LG is not opening new paths with the design of the G8s ThinQ. In fact, it could almost be considered dated, with relatively thick screen edges and a huge and wide notch. Most other manufacturers have already evolved to more elegant designs. One thing that stands out immediately is the off-center headset. This was probably necessary to accommodate a front camera, as well as a 3D flight time sensor and infrared illuminator, but it is not an elegant solution.
This phone is only available in Mirror Black finish in India, and LG wasn't kidding when he chose the word "mirror" to describe it. Both the front and the back are made of glass, and both are incredibly bright and reflective. The back panel is effectively a mirror and looks very elegant and premium at first glance. However, it is impossible to use this phone without spotting it, and fingerprints are collected instantly.
Our review unit had a sticker on the back with some regulatory information, and left a residue that took years to clean. We were afraid of scratching the surface, but LG says there are Gorilla Glass 6 in the back and Gorilla Glass 5 in the front, which is reassuring. The frame of the G8s ThinQ is made of metal and also has a dark polished finish that matches the glass. It has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810G compliance for shock resistance.
There is no doubt that this phone is solidly built. It feels very expensive and high-end, if not stylish. It is relatively easy to handle with a thickness of 7.99 mm (with a barely protruding rear camera strip) and 179 g of weight. The glass is also not slippery, which was a great relief for us. One-handed use is possible, although not very comfortable.
The power button is placed just at the top of the right side and is completely out of reach. To make matters worse, it is rigid and requires a little effort to press, especially through the included plastic cover. A tray below can contain two Nano-SIM or a Nano-SIM and a microSD card, which is disappointing. The volume buttons on the left are also too high, and there is a dedicated Google Assistant button below them that is easy to accidentally press when trying to reduce the volume or take a screenshot.
Many people will be happy to see that the LG G8 ThinQ has a 3.5mm analog audio jack, which makes it a rarity in the premium space for smartphones. This is at the bottom, next to the USB Type-C port and the speaker. The three cameras at the rear are arranged in a horizontal strip, and there is a fingerprint sensor under them. While a capacitive fingerprint sensor is another slightly outdated feature on this phone, it is actually very convenient to reach.
In general, the LG G8s ThinQ will not attract attention and does not feel as fresh as most current phones, so you may find it disappointing in terms of features compared to other current models. However, when you have it in your hands, it feels absolutely solid and built to a very high quality standard.
The LG G8s ThinQ is well built, but the glass back easily stains
Specifications and software of the LG G8s ThinQ
The LG G8s ThinQ should not be confused with the LG G8 ThinQ or the LG G8x ThinQ, which are quite similar in terms of specifications. Like its exterior, this model has slightly outdated components. We start with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, which has recently been replaced by the Snapdragon 855+ a bit more.
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