When it comes to smartphones, usually, a good processor, a great screen, a good battery and a solid camera are enough to make anyone agree. Too bad, then, that LG G8s ThinQ, which has all the features just mentioned, then decided to focus on initially fun features, but which in the long run you will forget you have. We put it to the test, here's what we think.
Let's start, of course, from the design, even if this LG G8s makes very little effort to be original. Not only, and not so much, because the aesthetics take full advantage of the iPhone X and XS, with an important notch on the front, but also because there are not many new features compared to the LG G7.
The new G8s ThinQ has the same 6.1-inch display, is proposed on the market with the same black and silver colors and among the positive features, continue to keep the button to quickly access the Google Assistant.
Rather inconvenient, even if it will be used rarely, the on / off button, located in the corner on the right side, inconvenient to reach. Fortunately, the user will not need to press it often, because the phone can activate the screen simply by lifting it from the table, and unlock with the excellent three-dimensional Face ID it enjoys.
To increase compared to g7 is the weight: LG G8s Thinq weighs 167 grams, with measures contained in 151.9 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm. The look of the rear has changed, with LG having decided to mount the camera set horizontally rather than vertically, making it more in line with the V40, modifying its look compared to the previous “G” series mufflers.
The back also offers the fingerprint sensor, which serves to speed up unlocking: the LG G8s Face ID is really accurate, but not lightning-fast, which is why unlocking with the fingerprint may be necessary to instantly access the UI.
LG G8s improves upon its predecessor in display technology, employing an OLED unit over last year's G7 LCD screen. From the panel's point of view, nothing can be complained about at this terminal.
This is a good display, certainly a not insignificant update compared to the one used on the G7: for those who love the brand and the line, it could already be a valid reason for an upgrade.
Furthermore, a reason to choose LG G8s, over the competition, could be the audio department, in which the manufacturer continues to invest particularly . This department, in fact, remains one of the hallmarks of LG's flagships, and this G8 is no exception by continuing to offer the Quad DAC headphone jack and Boombox sound. Moreover, LG G8s ThinQ offers a particular technology called Crystal Sound OLED, which uses vibrations to transform the display into a speaker. Crystal Sound is not audible during a call.
Other technical features, which are not surprising in a top of the range, concern the Snapdragon 855 processor.
In daily use this determines speed in the execution of any app, in the passage from one to the other, in the management of all the functions, in the display of social networks, in the opening of web pages. In short, LG G8s ThinQ is a fast, fluid and fast terminal. The battery also deserves praise, which LG has brought from the 3000 mAh of the predecessor to the 3500 mAh of this LG G8s. Autonomy is one of the strengths of the terminal, and even with intense use it will arrive in the evening with at least 20% of remaining charge.
Where, sadly, LG still continues to struggle is the graphical interface. The terminal is based on Android 9, hence the most recent distribution, but the UX 8.0 employed seems to be the real Achilles heel. the app drawer, but the implementation is good and you can go back to the old way if you prefer.
LG's Android skin is a bit boring, unintuitive with a complex aesthetic. The navigation of the UI can only take place via buttons, because even the setting with gestures does not eliminate them completely, as it happens on many other terminals, such as OnePlus, Xiaomi or on the latest iPhones. In short, it is not possible to fully enjoy the display without virtual buttons on the screen.
LG then seems to have focused on the Air Gesture , a system that allows multimedia control of certain elements, such as music and YouTube through gestures. It might initially be fun, but in everyday use it turns out to be useless.
Although the technology may have potential, at present Air Motion requires a precision that most users will not be willing to achieve, remaining much simpler, faster and more intuitive, the classic tap on the screen to manage all the multimedia functions.
Fortunately, the 3D sensor on the front is not only used for the Air Gestures, but also for face unlock . The G8s is one of the first terminals that comes close to the concept of Face ID implemented for the first time by Apple on the iPhone X. The unlocking system is really precise, similar in all respects to that of Apple. It works well, even if it is not among the fastest.
Then there is Hand ID, which we probably found not very useful at the moment in the history of smartphones. LG has decided to implement this unlocking method, whereby you can place your palm over the front camera to unlock the phone. It is difficult to find a field of use but perhaps it is a first experiment that aims at use in the car or in particular cases of disability or accessibility problems to the terminal.
Cameras
LG G8s ThinQ, fortunately, is equipped with a triple camera photographic system , unlike the other versions sold outside Europe, in which the terminal only offers two cameras on the back.
This G8s offers equipment similar to that of the V50. The main camera is 12 megapixel with ƒ / 1.8 aperture with excellent image stabilization. At its side a 12 megapixel zoom sensor with ƒ / 2.6 aperture always stabilized and, finally, the third 13 megapixel wide-angle sensor with ƒ / 2.4 aperture.
G8s offers different apertures than the V50, resulting to be less sensitive to light, and this is especially noticeable in the shots in the dark where the camera does not shine like that of the V50. That said, the G8s' camera is enjoyable, and offers much faster focusing than the previous model. The shots are well balanced, with always faithful colors. Also excellent results with zoom and wide-angle photos.
The HDR mode does its job, offering good backlighting. In general, we are happy with the camera of this G8s ThinQ, and overall the photos have always turned out to be particularly good. Front camera, on the other hand, in the norm, with an 8 MP sensor with ƒ / 1.9 aperture with new 3D light effects, thanks to the front Z-Camera.
Among other functions the AI cam, GLens and the triple shot that takes photographic sequences with the three cameras, able to focus on the object in the center. The videos are also good, even in 4K at 60fps, which however lose stabilization. If you are satisfied with 30 fps you also gain the ability to switch between the three cameras seamlessly and without interrupting the video.
Conclusions
LG G8s ThinQ is certainly a nice terminal, precise and reliable in everyday use, fast and responsive, with a front 3D camera that offers a Face ID similar to the Apple one.
Too bad then that its other functions are almost useless or at least immature like the Air Gesture and the Hand ID. LG's software customization does not seem to be able to compete with that of other manufacturers, it is a bit cumbersome and not very intuitive. Overall, the terminal does not offer obvious criticalities, but it does not shine clearly in any respect. At a lower street price, it is probably a purchase that can be recommended.
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Retail price
On Amazon, at the moment, it is available for 630 euros.
