LG has officially exited the smartphone business, which means that this guide to the best LG phones will not receive any updates or new additions to its rankings. Even though this list is older, it is still useful for people who want to buy an older LG phone. It’s important to know that if you choose LG, you might not get as many software updates as you would with other brands. LG has said that some of its phones will get updates, possibly up to Android 12, but there are no guarantees.
But if you’re set on staying with LG, there are some great options to think about. The LG V60 ThinQ stands out as one of the best options. Additionally, there are models like the LG Wing 5G, LG Velvet, and LG G7 ThinQ, all of which offer compelling features. When opting for LG, keep in mind that you’re choosing a brand that won’t be launching new smartphones in the future. So, let’s take a look at an overview, specs, and a summary of the most important pros and cons of each of the best LG phones on the market.
Features of the Best LG Phones
But please keep in mind that LG said it would stop making smartphones in April 2021, so they may no longer be making new ones. Still, I can give you a list of features that were common to some of the best LG phones up to that point:
🌟 High-Quality Displays: LG phones were known for their great displays, which often used OLED or IPS LCD technology. They had sharp resolutions, bright colors, and good viewing angles.
📸 Camera technology: LG’s top-of-the-line phones often came with advanced camera systems. There were a lot of cameras with things like multiple lenses, manual camera controls, wide-angle lenses, and high-quality sensors.
🔊 Audio Quality: LG’s phones showed that they cared about audio quality. Many models had high-quality audio DACs, stereo speakers, and support for high-resolution audio formats.
💪 Durability: Some LG phones were made to be tough and long-lasting, and they often met MIL-STD-810G standards for being able to handle drops and shocks. There were also parts that kept water and dust out.
🎨 LG was known for trying new things with the way things look. They made phones with unique designs, like the LG V60 ThinQ and LG G8X ThinQ, which have two screens, and the LG Wing, which has a screen that can be turned.
Best LG Phones comparison table
The table below compares the best LG smartphones by showing their most important features, specs, and performance numbers. It’s a quick reference for people who want to find the best LG phone for their preferences and needs. This helps them make better buying decisions.
Features | Wireless Carrier | Operating System | Cellular Technology |
---|---|---|---|
LG G8X ThinQ | Unlocked | Android 9.0 | 4G, 3G, 2G |
LG V50 ThinQ 5G | Unlocked | Android 9.0 | 5G |
LG G8 ThinQ | Verizon | android | 4G |
LG Wing 5G | T-Mobile | Android 10.0 | 5G |
LG Velvet | T-Mobile | Android 10.0 | 3G, 4G, 5G |
LG G8X ThinQ
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model Name | G8X ThinQTM |
Wireless Carrier | Unlocked |
Operating System | Android 9.0 |
Cellular Technology | 4G, 3G, 2G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB |
Check Price |
The LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen (what a mouthful) has the benefits of a foldable design but costs the same as other smartphones. But unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold or Motorola Razr, which have actual folding screens, the G8 is a normal smartphone that comes with a clip-on second screen case. For now, this is one of the best LG Phones you can buy tight now.
This means it’s best for viewing two apps side by side or turning the device landscape to use as a control pad for mobile gaming. It’s not a design that many people want in a phone, and it’s pretty niche, but for the price, the G8X might be the LG phone for you. It has a Snapdragon 855 and two screens.
Pros
- Dual-screen functionality for multitasking.
- Good audio quality with stereo speakers.
- Solid camera performance.
- Decent battery life.
- Competitive price.
Cons
- Bulky when used with the DualScreen attachment.
- Older processor compared to some competitors.
- Limited software updates and support due to LG’s exit from the smartphone market.
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model Name | V50 |
Wireless Carrier | Unlocked for All Carriers |
Operating System | Android 9.0 |
Cellular Technology | 5G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 6 GB |
Check Price |
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G is LG’s first 5G phone. It’s basically the LV V40, but with a 5G connection. It has a few improvements in specs here and there, and it has the same dual-screen features as the last phone, but it’s still a very similar device. So why is the LG V50 ThinQ 5G below the LG V40 on this list? That’s because it’s being sold for a lot more money, which makes it hard to recommend.
It costs even more than some 5G phones, even though it might not be worth that much. Even so, it’s still an impressive device in a few ways, especially if you like the dual-screen setup, so some people will find it useful. And if you like LG and need a 5G connection, it’s the only choice you have. Overall, this is one of the best LG Phones you can buy tight now.
Pros
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Strong overall performance.
- High-quality OLED display.
- Good camera system.
- Expandable storage.
Cons
- Bulky and heavy.
- Limited availability of 5G networks at the time of release.
- Battery life could be better.
LG G8 ThinQ
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model Name | G8 ThinQ |
Wireless Carrier | Verizon |
Operating System | android |
Cellular Technology | 4G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB |
Check Price |
LG tried to make a “futuristic” phone with the LG G8 ThinQ. It has Hand ID, which scans the veins in your hand to unlock it, and gestures, which let you control the device by waving your hand in the air above it. But not all of them work perfectly, so the LG G8 ThinQ doesn’t really do everything it says it can. But the phone still has some great features, like a modern chipset and a screen that vibrates and acts as a speaker, so you could do a lot worse. Still, this is one of the best LG Phones you can buy tight now.
Pros
- Impressive display quality.
- Solid camera performance with unique features.
- Good audio quality with a headphone jack and Boombox speaker.
- Fast and reliable fingerprint sensor.
Cons
- Not as innovative as some other flagship phones.
- Battery life is average.
- LG’s software updates have been inconsistent.
- Limited availability of some features in some regions.
LG Wing 5G
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model Name | LG Wing 5G |
Wireless Carrier | T-Mobile |
Operating System | Android 10.0 |
Cellular Technology | 5G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 256 GB |
Check Price |
Most other phones are not like the LG Wing 5G. It has a screen on the front that can be turned horizontally and up to show a smaller screen underneath. That means the screen is bigger, but you can still hold it with one hand. It doesn’t quite work because the software that goes with it isn’t very good, but the potential is there. It has good hardware everywhere else, so it can handle anything you throw at it. Just too bad the phone doesn’t have a telephoto camera and doesn’t quite live up to how ambitious it started out. Thus, this is one of the best LG Phones you can buy tight now.
Pros
- Unique dual-display swivel design.
- Excellent for multitasking and media consumption.
- Good camera system with Gimbal mode.
- 5G connectivity.
- Impressive audio quality.
Cons
- Bulky and heavy.
- Limited app support for the secondary display.
- Expensive.
LG Velvet
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model Name | LG Velvet 5G |
Wireless Carrier | T-Mobile |
Operating System | Android 10.0 |
Cellular Technology | 3G, 4G, 5G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB |
Check Price |
LG admits that its design was getting a little old with the Velvet. To fix this, the company made a nice-looking phone with curved edges that make it look thinner even though the screen is the same size as the V60’s. The phone has the Snapdragon 765 in Korea and the 765G in the US. Both support 5G, but as usual with LG, it’s frustratingly hard to get the phone in other countries, so you might have to import. Overall, this is one of the best LG Phones you can buy tight now.
That’s too bad, because there’s a lot to like about this phone, like its solid performance, improved software skin, and headphone jack, even though it doesn’t have the Quad DAC that other LG phones do, so the sound quality isn’t quite as good. The worst thing about the phone is that all of its cameras aren’t very good. The main sensor holds it together, but the digital zoom isn’t great and the ultrawide isn’t as good as we’ve seen.
Pros
- Sleek and stylish design.
- Competitive pricing.
- Good camera performance.
- 5G connectivity.
- Bright and vivid OLED display.
Cons
- Mid-range processor, not as powerful as some competitors.
- Battery life is average.
- Limited software updates and support due to LG’s exit from the smartphone market.
- Not as feature-rich as some other flagships.
Why should you choose an LG phone?
Whether you choose an LG phone or not depends on your needs and preferences. LG has made some good smartphones in the past, but it’s important to know that the company plans to leave the smartphone market in April 2021, so it’s unlikely that LG will make any new phones. But if you are interested in LG phones from the past or LG phones that are still on the market, here are some reasons why you might want to buy one:
LG phones were known for having features that were new and different. For example, they were among the first companies to offer wide-angle camera lenses, which became a popular feature in the smartphone industry.
🌟 High-Quality Displays: The sharpness and brightness of LG’s OLED displays were praised. If you want a great screen for watching movies and playing games, you might like an LG phone.
🔊 Audio quality: LG often included high-quality audio parts, like quad DACs and stereo speakers, which made them a good choice for audiophiles who like great sound.
🔨 Build Quality: LG phones were usually well-made and long-lasting. Many of them were resistant to water and dust, had military-grade durability, and were made with high-quality materials.
🎨 Customization: LG’s user interface was very flexible, so people could change the way their phone looked and how it worked to suit their needs.
FAQs
In April 2021, the company stopped making phones for good. Even so, the company still made a lot of good phones in 2020 and 2021, and they will continue to be supported for the rest of their lives. In this way, you can still get an LG phone if you want to.
LG shut down its mobile business, and as it was leaving, it said that current devices would continue to get firmware updates until the summer of 2025. Now, the Korean company has announced the next three gadgets that will get Android 12. Three more will get security updates by the end of this quarter, and those updates will also be seeded.