LG G8 ThinQ schwarz

The G8 ThinQ has plenty going for it, but unfortunately not in the areas that count for most consumers. The display and audio support are both among the best in the industry, but bland design and a so-so camera let it all down. LG seems to hope that gimmicks like Hand ID and gesture controls will set the G8 apart from its rivals, but if they do, it won't be in the way the company wants. Neither will change the way you use your phone, and before long you're likely to forget they're even there.

The LG G8 ThinQ is an objectively great phone, but with a high price tag and no standout features, it's not great enough to beat the Galaxy S10E.

Ultimately, for all of LG's efforts, the LG G8 struggles to be class-leading in any area. That results in a phone that's just, well, fine - but also not special.

The G8 is a fine phone, but one that also struggles to stand out. It has hardware, specs and nice-to-have features that are all well-executed and enjoyable to use, plus a few neat additions like the speaker system and 3D-based face unlock. But LG's consistent missteps in software design, camera quality that doesn't stand up to the competition, and focus on new features like Air Motion that are purely distractions all get in the way of a core phone experience that is otherwise solid and worth considering.

LG’s new G8 ThinQ packs the performance you’d expect from a modern flagship phone and, as usual, it’s a great option for people who care about smartphone sound quality. Beyond that, there’s little here to set it apart from this year’s early crowd of premium devices, aside from a clever time-of-flight sensor that powers ambitious features that don’t actually work very well. At its best, the G8 ThinQ that doesn’t quite have the tools to outperform the competition. At worst, it’s an example of the uneven results that occur when a company tries to innovate without thinking about practicality.