Okay, I know these all sound like party tricks, but the LG G8 has a lot more going for it. On its inside ticks the Snapdragon 855, which is currently the most powerful chip you can get in an Android phone. It also packs a dual-camera setup and one of the largest batteries we've seen in a high-end LG phone. Priced at around $600 after discounts, the LG G8 could be the perfect pick if you're hunting for a bargain. To find out if that's really the case, I spent a week with it in my pocket.
In the box:
- LG G8 ThinQ phone
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Wall charger
- USB-C cable
- SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide and warranty information
Design
As I mentioned above, the LG G8 doesn't look all that special at a glance. There's no denying that its glossy red color is striking, but overall, because of its familiar design, this can easily be mistaken for a phone from last year. LG's flagship is also available in black or grey, for those who'd rather blend in with the crowd.
When I picked it up, however, I instantly noticed that the LG G8 is easier to handle than most other phones I've tested recently. It is still extremely slippery, just like every other phone made of glass and metal, but its thick, flat sides allow for a nice, comfortable grip.
Curiously, the LG G8 is one of the very few handsets lacking a camera bump. On one hand, this results in a cleaner look with fewer distractions, but on the other, the entire back comes in full contact with any flat surface you lay the phone on. This could be the reason why there's already a tiny scratch over the camera lens on my review unit, even though its back is protected by the latest Gorilla Glass 6.
LG introduced us to the dedicated Google Assistant button with the G7. The G8 has one as well, placed on its left side, and it behaves in a similar fashion: pressing it once brings up the Assistant; pressing and holding lets you interact with Google's AI in "Walkie Talkie" mode. The button can be disabled fully or partially but can't be remapped to do something else, such as to open a predefined app. Accidental presses do happen, but they were rare in my experience.