LG G8X ThinQ review
Not ready to jump on the foldable phone bandwagon? The G8X offers a persuasive alternative that's reasonably priced (for now).
When it launched on Oct. 30, you could have nabbed both the LG G8X ThinQ and its second-screen accessory for $700, $750 and $780 on LG, Sprint and AT&T, respectively. It was at this price that I reviewed and recommended the phone for people interested in the G8X and its novel dual-screen design. I thought that was a great deal for the price, and I was excited to recommend this best-of-both-worlds phone and case.
It's come to my attention, however, that these deals are being offered only for a limited time, which throws a wrinkle in my initial endorsement. After Dec. 5, for example, AT&T will sell the G8X under its "AT&T Installment Plan" for $780 and the dual screen will cost an additional $199 -- totaling $979. Sprint also confirmed that its offer of the G8X's dual screen attachment as a free gift (with purchase of the phone) will be limited as well, though it did not confirm an end date to the sale.
That said, some retailers are still selling both for under $700, like B&H and Best Buy, but these deals may not last forever, and you'll still have to sign on to a carrier separately for the phone to work. My opinion of the phone is still the same: The G8X is great and if you can get both the LG G8X and the second screen for $780 or under, it's an affordable alternative to the fully foldable Galaxy Fold. Outside that price range, however, and I'd hesitate to recommend this phone.
If you're curious about the latest trend of foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Fold or Huawei Mate X, but you're not ready to commit either to the novel design or the high price tags (both cost more than $1,000), LG's G8X ThinQ is a worthy alternative. Like the other foldable phones, the G8X doubles its screen size by opening like a book. But instead of having a flexible screen, the G8X is a regular 6.4-inch phone that attaches to another 6.4-inch screen using a special case.
It's a similar arrangement to 2017's ZTE Axon M (if anyone actually remembers that phone) and the upcoming Microsoft Surface Duo in that they're really just two phones or screens attached together. But the G8X gives you the freedom to detach the phone out of the case too, leaving you with a regular premium phone if you want.
LG created a similar accessory for the V50 ThinQ, which launched in February. Unlike that release though, the G8X and its screen attachment are available in the US. The phone is available unlocked or through AT&T and Sprint.
It's true that the G8X doesn't have the Galaxy Fold's or Mate X's super elegant and novel design. It's quite clunky to carry around and you won't be able to watch videos on a seamless, single tablet-esque screen.
But the G8X is a durable, middleman solution. And the best part is the phone's price. For a limited time, LG, Sprint and AT&T are selling the G8X for $700, $750 and $780, respectively. The carriers are also offering deals that lower the cost even more (for instance, Sprint has a plan that totals $270). That price puts it pretty much on par with, if not a tad cheaper than, most high-end phones these days. But LG and these carriers intend to sell the whole thing, second screen and all, at those prices during launch. International pricing isn't yet available, but the $700 price tag converts to about £545 or AU$1,020.
Even without the second screen, $700 is a good price for the G8X, which is fast, reliable and takes good photos. But throw in two screens for the same price and LG's got a compelling phone to offer.
