LG G8 ThinQ: Features | Pricing | Specs

LG G8 ThinQ

• Display

  6.1 inches

  3120 x 1440

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• Storage

  128GB

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• Battery size

  3,500 mAh

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LG's latest G-series smartphone sets itself apart with a 3D depth-sensing camera and a screen that doubles as a speaker.

LG has two primary "flagship" phone ranges, with the G-series phones typically appearing in the first half of the calendar year. The LG G7 ThinQ took a little longer than usual to appear in 2018, but it appears that LG is wasting little time in 2019, with the LG G8 ThinQ taking centre stage at LG's press conference for 2019's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Design

• 6.1-inch display
• "Sound on Display" speaker built into display
• Palm vein authentication

• Read more on the LG G8 ThinQ's design

  The LG G8 ThinQ doesn't stray too far from LG's standard approach to smartphone design, at least at first glance. Featuring a 6.1-inch screen, the phone is all sleek curves and smooth metal, with the controversial notch making its return at the top of the display.

  Where the G8 ThinQ starts to differentiate itself is in the new tech LG has packed into it. First off, there's no traditional speaker on the front of the device. Instead, LG uses what it's calling Crystal Sound OLED to have the screen itself function as a speaker.

  On the security side, LG has gone beyond the fingerprint sensor with something even more sci-fi: a palm vein sensor. Using its new 3D "Z Camera", the LG G8 ThinQ can recognise the unique characteristics of the veins in the palm of your hand and use these to lock and unlock itself.

  The 3D Z Camera also expands the ways in which you can operate the LG G8 ThinQ. Instead of swiping on the touch screen, the Z Camera can detect various hand gestures made in front of it such as waving your hand or pinching the air. LG is promising that the Z Camera is accurate enough that these gestures can effectively replace traditional touch-based interaction.

  To protect your investment, LG has shored up the G8 ThinQ to meet IP68 certifications. This guarantees it as completely dust-proof as well as capable of surviving submersion in 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes.

  As expected of an Android phone in 2019, the LG G8 ThinQ comes pre-loaded with Android 9.0 ("Pie"). It also supports the HDR10 standard, displaying a greater range of colours and brightness in HDR-compatible content.

Camera

• Triple 16MP/12MP/12MP rear camera array
• 3D Z Camera

• Read more on the LG G8 ThinQ's camera

  LG has a solid track record of delivering high-quality cameras on its flagship phones and the G8 ThinQ is no exception. At the rear, you'll find 3 powerful lenses: a 16MP super-wide lens, a 12MP telephoto lens and a regular 12MP lens. That's a solid combination with plenty of versatility for all you aspiring photographers out there.

  On the front, selfie-lovers get an 8MP camera with an f/1.7 aperture – nothing groundbreaking, but capable nonetheless.

  More interestingly, the front of the G8 ThinQ is where LG's new "Z Camera" lives. The Z Camera is a 3D-capable camera that can be used for unlocking the G8 ThinQ with your face more securely than is possible on standard 2D cameras. The depth information available to the Z Camera also allows for faster auto-focusing and enhanced depth-of-field effects.

Performance

• Snapdragon 855
• 6GB RAM

• Read more on the LG G8 ThinQ's performance

  The LG G8 ThinQ plays it fairly safe in the power department. It's powered by the popular Snapdragon 855 processor, the same chip that the majority of premium Android smartphones are set to run on in 2019. This is paired with 6GB of RAM, which is more than enough to handle the most-demanding apps and deliver smooth app-switching and multi-tasking in most situations.

  Audio is an area where LG often goes above and beyond most smartphone manufacturers and this continues to be the case with the G8 ThinQ. The in-built "Boombox" speaker delivers stereo output and supports DTS:X, a surround sound standard that competes with Dolby Atmos. LG has also packed in a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC (digital to analogue converter) for higher-quality audio output, especially when pumping the volume up.

Battery

• 3,500mAh battery
• Quick Charge 3.0

• Read more on the LG G8 ThinQ's battery

  In contrast to many of its competitors, LG has opted for a relatively reserved approach to battery power with the G8 ThinQ. Its 3,500mAh battery is hardly pint-sized, but it is considerably smaller than the 4,000mAh+ batteries we're starting to see in premium handsets from the likes of Samsung and Huawei. Nevertheless, it should be sufficient to get most people through a typical day of use on a single charge.

  Fortunately, even if you do find yourself running out of juice, the LG G8 ThinQ supports Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 technology, enabling faster recharge times when using a compatible charger. Depending on the device, Quick Charge 3.0 can charge a dead smartphone to 50% in less than 30 minutes.

Pricing and availability

• LG has not disclosed pricing or availability information yet

LG's position in the mobile market isn't one of particular strength globally, even though it has produced some fine phones in recent years. It has found itself outpaced by competitors in terms of luring consumers in, so there's no doubt it would love to have a hit on its hands with the LG G8 ThinQ.

Pricing will be a key part of that story. LG used to occupy a very solid challenger space with its G-series phones, but recent years have seen its pricing creep upwards. It's true that most premium flagships have seen price bumps in recent years, but if LG can bring the LG G8 ThinQ to market at a more challenging price, it could have a really compelling story to tell.

Based on prior history we wouldn't expect the LG G8 ThinQ to rush to the local market. LG has often waited for a while before bringing its flagship phones to Australia and the LG G8 ThinQ may well continue that trend.

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