Phone Comparisons: LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL

This time around, we’re pitting the LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL. Both of these smartphones are flagship offerings from their respective OEMs. Furthermore, both of them became available quite recently, as they’re newly-released.

These two phones are quite different in comparison, though, which should make this article quite interesting. Some of you may be looking to get one of these two phones, and we’ll do our best to help you make a choice.

Each of these two phones has its positives and negatives, and we’ll try to highlight them down below. As per usual, we’ll compare the two phones across a number of categories. First, we’ll list their specifications, and then get down to business.

Specs

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Design

Both the LG G8X ThinQ and Pixel 4 XL are made out of metal and glass. These two phones look different, though, and the in-hand feel is also considerably different. The Google Pixel 4 XL has sharper corners, and its frame comes with a heavy layer of paint on. Its back is flat, and the phone is less slippery than the LG G8X ThinQ.

The LG G8X ThinQ has a streamlined design, similar to many other phones in the market. It is quite slippery, and its back is curved. Both phones have rounded corners, and display corners as well. The LG G8X ThinQ includes a waterdrop display notch, while the Pixel 4 XL doesn’t have a display notch or a hole. It does have a rather thick top bezel, though, well, considerably thicker than its bottom one.

Both phones utilize a horizontal camera setup on the back, though the Pixel 4 XL has a whole camera module on the back. The G8X ThinQ’s cameras are centered, while the Pixel 4 XL’s are moved to the top-left corner. Both of these phones utilize two cameras on the back. The LG G8X ThinQ is a bit shorter than the Pixel 4 XL, but it is wider and thicker. They weight about the same, though.

Both phones look nice, and are well-built. If you don’t want a display notch on your phone, the Pixel 4 XL may be a better choice. On the other hand, its thick top bezel may prevent you from getting it. The LG G8X ThinQ fits in the hand better, but it’s considerably more slippery than the Pixel 4 XL. It’s all a matter of your personal preference.

Winner: Tie

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Display

Both the LG G8X ThinQ and Pixel 4 XL utilize OLED displays. These displays are quite different, though. The LG G8X ThinQ includes a 6.4-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) OLED panel with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. That display is protected by the Gorilla Glass 6, and it supports HDR10 content. We’re looking at a flat display here.

The Pixel 4 XL, on the other hand, has a 6.3-inch QHD+ (3040 x 1440) P-OLED panel. That display is also flat, and it has a different aspect ratio, a 19:9 ratio. This panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass 5, and it supports HDR output. This is also a 90Hz display, compared to the LG G8X ThinQ’s 60Hz panel.

Both displays offer vibrant colors, and great viewing angles. Colors are punchy, and contrast is great on both. The Pixel 4 XL’s display’s colors may be a bit more saturated. Both displays are really great for content consumption of every kind, but the Pixel 4 XL has an edge due to its refresh rate, even though it’s barely noticeable it is sharper.

The Pixel 4 XL does not utilize a 90Hz refresh rate all the time, it actually utilizes it less than it should. When it does, though, everything feels super smooth on it. You can actually force it to utilize a 90Hz refresh rate via the developer settings, and that is something we suggest you do, despite the fact it will drain the battery a bit more. All in all, both displays are great, but the Pixel 4 XL’s does look a bit better, it looks sharper, and it offers a higher refresh rate.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Performance

When it comes to performance, the Pixel 4 XL does have an advantage. Both phones come with high-end specifications, but the software on the Pixel 4 XL does seem to be better optimized. Both devices are fueled by the Snapdragon 855, and come with 6GB of RAM. You will find UFS 2.1 flash storage in both phones.

The Pixel 4 XL does ship with Android 10 out of the box. That is stock Android we’re looking at, and it helps this phone stand out. Android 10 on the Pixel 4 XL runs a bit smoother than Android 9 Pie and LG UX 9.0 on the G8X ThinQ. We’ve noticed some stuttering on the G8X ThinQ, nothing that should sway your decision in any way, but it happens more often than on the Pixel 4 XL.

When it comes to day-to-day performance, both phones do a really good job. Multitasking is a breeze, and so is launching apps. Both phones can also handle graphically-intensive games without a problem. That is worth noting if you’re a gamer, of course. The Pixel 4 XL wins this category, though, as it simply feels smoother in everyday performance.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Battery

The LG G8X ThinQ trumps the Pixel 4 XL in this category. The LG G8X ThinQ includes a 4,000mAh unit, while the Pixel 4 XL features a 3,700mAh unit. Truth be said, both of these phones will get you through the day if you’re not a heavy user. If you are, you’ll have more luck with the LG G8X ThinQ.

The Pixel 4 XL has a higher-res display, and that 90Hz display which drain the battery. The phone also has a rather small battery pack to begin with, so that doesn’t help. We’ve seen mixed results with the phone, on some occasions, it keeps the phone running for about 5 hours of screen on time. On others, five and a half, while sometimes it can get over the 6-hour SoT mark. Those occasions are rare, though.

The G8X ThinQ will be able to get you through that 6-hour screen-on-time mark. In fact, this phone will probably be able to push past 6 and a half, for some of you. Your usage plays a rather significant factor here, so don’t forget that. If you’re gaming a lot, the battery life will, naturally, be lower.

The good news is, both of these phones offer fast charging. The bad news is, their fast charging is not that fast. The LG G8X ThinQ offers 21W fast wired charging, and 9W wireless charging. The Pixel 4 XL, on the other hand, offers 18W wired charging, while it matches the G8X ThinQ in wireless charging.

Winner: LG G8X ThinQ

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Cameras

Now, when it comes to the cameras, the Pixel 4 XL is the clear winner. Both devices include two cameras on the back, and a single camera on the front. The Pixel 4 XL does have a TOF 3D module on the front as well, though.

In any case, the Pixel 4 XL is able to produce images with more detail in both well-lit, and not so well-lit scenarios. That goes for pictures taken during the night as well. The phone captures images with a better dynamic range, and the colors are a bit more punchy as well.

Pictures from the Pixel 4 XL may look a bit unrealistic, but in a good way. The LG G8X ThinQ is a solid camera smartphone, no doubt about that, but it cannot compete with the Pixel 4 XL. The company at least included that secondary ultrawide camera, which is something the Pixel 4 XL does not have.

The LG G8X ThinQ has a slight advantage in the video department, as it can shoot 4K video at 60fps. The Pixel 4 XL can provide great video content in 4K at 30fps, and 1080p at 60fps, though. When it comes to selfies, the Pixel 4 XL is the better choice. It offers a more natural bokeh effect, and it allows more light into selfies, while it retains more detail as well.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL

LG G8X ThinQ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Audio

Both the LG G8X ThinQ and Pixel 4 XL come with stereo speakers. Speakers on both devices are fairly good as well. They are actually quite similar in this regard, both phones can provide crisp sound via speakers, with minimal distortion at high volumes.

The LG G8X ThinQ does include a 3.5mm headphone jack, while the Pixel 4 XL does not. If you utilize that headphone jack, or plug in a decent pair of headphones any other way on this phone, you’ll get great results. The same goes for the Pixel 4 XL, minus the 3.5mm headphone jack. We did notice that the mids and the highs are better represented on the LG G8X ThinQ, though.

The G8X ThinQ does come with DTS:X Surround Sound, and its sound is tuned by Meridian Audio. That shows, actually, believe it or not, at least when the headphones are plugged in. All in all, the G8X ThinQ is the better choice as far as audio is concerned.

Winner: LG G8X ThinQ

The Dual Screen factor

As many of you probably already know, the LG G8X ThinQ is available bundled in with a Dual Screen accessory. If you decide to purchase that bundle, the phone will still be more affordable than the Pixel 4 XL.

The Dual Screen accessory basically allows you to use the G8X ThinQ as a foldable smartphone. Truth be said, you’ll essentially be using two separate displays, but if you need the screen real estate, it’s not a bad deal at all.

We did not really compare this aspect of the LG G8X ThinQ to the Pixel 4 XL, as we don’t have anything to compare it to. It’s actually similar to the S Pen on the Galaxy Note 10. If you need and / or want that second display, getting the LG G8X ThinQ is the way to go.

The overall winner

That brings us to the end of the LG G8X ThinQ vs Pixel 4 XL comparison. The Pixel 4 XL did, technically, win this comparison, as it won in more individual categories. That does not mean that the LG G8X ThinQ is a bad phone, though, not at all. The LG G8X ThinQ actually won in two of those categories, and is a really solid choice, depending on what you need.

If you want great cameras, and a high refresh rate display, and better performance… the Pixel 4 XL is the way to go. If you want better battery life, and a better audio experience, the LG G8X ThinQ is the better choice. The same goes if you want that Dual Screen accessory that LG is selling.

Winner: Google Pixel 4 XL