LG G8X ThinQ review - A more practical — and affordable — ‘folding’ phone - Android
There are folding phones and there are “folding” phones. The Samsung Galaxy Fold lands in the former category, while the LG G8X ThinQ falls firmly in the latter. The G8X itself does not actually fold. Rather, it can be attached to a secondary screen that delivers much of the folding phone experience without the insane cost.
Folding phones have garnered lots of attention over the last year. Samsung and Huawei developed legitimate folding phones in the Galaxy Fold and Mate X, respectively, which have screens that actually bend 180 degrees. With price points of $1,980 for the Fold and $2,600 for the Mate X, folding phones such as these are not for your average mobile phone buyer.
LG forged another path. Rather than sink lots of cash (that it doesn’t have) into developing pricey folding screen technology, it instead took the relatively easy way out: It created a second-screen accessory for one of its flagship phones. The LG G8X ThinQ is thus a standard phone with a nice big screen that fits into a screen-toting case. When in the case, people can take advantage of the extra screen to run separate apps. The effect provides much of the utility we saw in the Galaxy Fold for less than half the price.
Find out how the phone really stacks up in our LG G8X ThinQ review.
Nothing fancy. In fact, hardly anything at all. Most significantly, there’s no case and there’s no headphones.
The phone:
In the simplest terms, the LG G8X ThinQ is a larger version of the LG G8 ThinQ with minimal changes to the spec sheet. Putting them side-by-side, the similarities are apparent.
The G8X has an aluminum frame sandwiched by two panes of Gorilla Glass. LG coated the metal in multiple layers of paint to give it a nice, dark shine. The official (and only) color is Aurora Black. The frame is certainly black, while the rear panel has a blue undertone that flashes occasionally depending on the angle and lighting. Like the G8, I find the overall appearance of the G8X to be a bit on the safe side. It’s a conservative-looking phone that does little to stand out.
There’s no question that LG picked high-quality materials and put the phone together with detailed expertise. The lines are clean, the seams are flawless, and the whole of the phone impresses in its fit and finish.
Despite the similarity in their appearances, the G8X is significantly bigger than the G8. The 6.4-inch screen mandates a bigger frame and the higher-capacity battery adds plenty of weight. The G8X is about the same size as a Google Pixel 3 XL or OnePlus 7 Pro. This means it may not be comfortable to use for people who have smaller hands. It’s a big and heavy phone. Without a case, it slips into pockets easily enough.
Speaking of slips, the G8X will silently glide off tables, desks, and chairs as if pushed by a ghost. The fine polish of the glass front and back ensures that the phone is among the most slippery I’ve attempted to keep hold of. Be careful out there, people.
The lines are clean, the seams are flawless, and the whole of the phone impresses.
Unlike many of today’s flagships, the G8X’s camera module is completely flush with the rear surface. There’s no raised glass or plastic. This creates an entirely smooth phone.
The lock/power button is high up on the right edge, while the dedicated Google Assistant and separate volume buttons are all on the left edge. These are all good buttons.
Rounding out the hardware, the G8X has the features we’ve come to expect from LG, which means a high-quality headphone port, USB-C for charging, IP68 protection from dust and water, and a memory card slot for ramping storage up to 2TB. All good stuff.
The Dual Screen:
The Dual Screen is a sled-style case accessory. By itself, it almost looks like a phone. The front is covered in black glass, though it is not an actual display. A narrow monochrome window near the top lets you see the time, weather, and notifications. The front glass is encased in a soft-touch plastic frame. It’s off center, meaning the glass is closer to the right edge in order to allow room for the hinge.
LG says the hinge has evolved since it first revealed the phone. The original idea was to give people several distinct angles at which the hinge could rest. Now, the hinge moves a fluid 180-degrees, allowing the second screen to wrap all the way around. It’s all made of plastic, but still comes across as strong and sturdy. The Dual Screen has no problem supporting itself, allowing the G8X to sit like a laptop or stand like a tent.
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