When the LG G7 ThinQ was announced, we were a bit confused as to the inclusion of the ThinQ term into the name. It connotes something along the lines of AI and was wondering what the phone can really do in that aspect.
The LG G7 ThinQ looks and feels like a baby LG V30, from the form factor to the curves and lines, minus the notch part.
It’s packed with the latest hardware and a new AI-powered platform that closely ties in with Google’s Android OS.
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The very first reaction we had when we held the device was how relatively small it was considering it’s got a 6.1-inch display. The design and shape somewhat reminded us of the LG G2 but in a more premium built and a bit hefty, thanks to the Gorilla Glass 5 protection both in front and the back.
Up at the front is the large 6.1-inch quad HD+ display with a notch at the top end. LG decided to make good use of that area by allowing users to set it as a second screen where notifications and status information are located.
We liked the simple, no non-sense approach of the LG G7. The hardware is top notch, the display looks awesome, the Boombox speakers as well and it’s also IP68 dust and water resistant too.
LG kept the fingerprint scanner at the back where we prefer it to be. The power button is on the right, volume controls on the left with a dedicated Google Assistant button (a more practical use than Samsung’s Bixby button). Lined up at the bottom end are the 3.5mm audio port, Type-C port, and the speaker grilles.
The LG G7 sports a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display in a QHD+ resolution or 3120×1440 pixels. With an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 it’s quite an odd dimension although this also resulted to a high 82.6% screen-to-body ratio. That also makes the device taller than the usual 18:9 displays.
While the 3120×1440 pixels makes for a crisp display, you can also set the resolution lower to just 1560×720 pixels (HD+) or 2340×1080 pixels (FHD+) to help conserve battery life.
It is also equipped with LG’s new LCD technology called Super Bright Display which can produce a brightness of up to 1,000 nits, and capable of displaying 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. It can also adjust the display depending on the type of content. In Auto mode, the phone automatically analyzes the content of games or photos and optimizes the display for power consumption.
LG also boasts of screen brightness as high as 1,000 nits, something unheard of in smartphones these days. That’s the brightest we’ve seen so far in any smartphone and it does wonders especially if you’re in the outdoors or under direct sunlight.
The G7 ThinQ also boasts powerful audio features and sports a Boombox Speaker that utilizes the internal space of the phone as a resonance chamber to deliver double the bass of conventional smartphones for that “boombox” sound. When placed on a solid surface or box, the smartphone utilizes its resonance chamber as a woofer to amplify the bass effect even more. In addition, it has DTS:X to deliver virtual 3D sound for all content and is equipped with Hi-Fi Quad DAC.
The phone supports 32-bit/192kHz audio which is nice if you’re particular about sound quality. When activated, a Hi-Fi icon appears at the top right corner of the screen beside the battery and WiFi icons. It works when plugged into earphones and your music files are at least 24bit and 192KHz in FLAC format. If you have really good earphones to pair this with, you will definitely hear the difference.
One of the newest features that came with the LG G7 is the dual rear cameras. The primary has a 16MP sensor and f/1.6 aperture while the second one is a 16MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and wide-angle field of view, a classic setup originally popularized by LG in their smartphones.
The camera comes with LG’s newest ThinQ AI that helps in object recognition and applies the best image processing appropriate to the subject. It can detect up to 19 different scenarios and automatically select the best shooting mode for it. This means brighter skies or greenies trees and more vibrant flowers. This is not new and we’ve seen this in Huawei’s Mate and P series smartphones.
The 8MP front-facing camera has a wide-angle field of view with f/1.9 aperture that’s good for low-light shots. The camera can also do 1080p videos at 60fps or 4K at 30fps.
The second wide-angle camera is best used in tight shots or landscape and sceneries, although the aperture opening is not as wide as the primary camera. Photos looked really good, crisp and rich in colors. You get better results if you use the AI Camera mode here.
There’s the ability to shoot in Manual for both photo and video or use the Cine Video feature to create cinematics footages right out of the phone. Slow-mo shots go up to 960fps at 720p, and although the shot window is just 0.2 seconds, it stretches the final video to about 6 seconds.
The Manual Mode (photo and video) is also something we really liked since it allows full control of the camera — from shutter speed, ISO, exposure, white balance. There’s also the ability to save image as RAW (JPG + DNG).
The camera app comes with built-in Google Lens which is an improved version of Google Goggles or Samsung’s Bixby Vision. You simply point the camera at a subject and it will identify it for you and give you more options of what else you can do.
The G7 comes pre-installed with Android 8.0 and a simple and plain, almost Vanilla-flavored UI. By default, there’s no app drawer so you’re left with multiple home screens for apps and widgets. Looking deep into the Home Settings, this can be reverted back to a UI with the default app drawer included.
Many flagship smartphones have announced their own AI features and even mobile chipsets have included a dedicated neural processor to address this. What makes LG’s AI feature different? Well, not much but that does not mean it’s not good at it.
LG is giving Google Assistant a big role in the G7 ThinQ. In addition, it is also one of the first devices to get upcoming Google Lens features which is a new way to search using the latest in AI and computer vision.
The G7 ThinQ has a dedicated button that launches Google Assistant and Google Lens. To recognize your voice, LG equipped the G7 ThinQ with Super Far-Field Voice Recognition (SFFVR) and a highly sensitive microphone. This allows Google Assistant to recognize voice commands from up to five meters away. SFFVR can separate commands from background noise, which makes the G7 ThinQ an alternative to a home AI speaker.
Powering the LG G7 is the latest Snapdragon 845 from Qualcomm with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There’s a 6GB RAM variant but that will not be released in the Philippines. The device is blazing fast and buttery smooth both in navigation and running multiple apps, even with heavy games.
| Benchmark Tool | Score |
|---|---|
| AnTuTu v7 | 254,237 |
| 3D Mark | 3773 (SSE – OpenGL ES 3.1) 3118 (SSE – Vulkan) |
| Geekbench 4.2 | 2051 (Single-Core) 6754 (Multi-Core) |
| PC Mark | 9739 (Work 1.0) 8019 (Work 2.0) |
| AndroBench | 715 MB/s (Sequential Read) 125 MB/s (Sequential Write) |
Benchmark scores showed number-crunching results with the SD845 hitting the 250k mark in Antutu which is similar to the score we got from the OnePlus 6 running the same chipset.
Overall performance is impressive, especially in graphics-intensive games. The device does not heat up much even on prolonged use.
Call reception on the G7 is better than we expected. Voice calls are loud and clear, SMS messages are sent and recieve fats and connectivity options such as LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC are all available.
We’re a bit disappointed that the battery capacity is just 3,000mAh but so far it’s able to last us the whole day of moderate use. We will know once we finished our battery benchmark and see how it stacks up against other flagship smartphones. Good to know that it supports Quick Charge 3.0 and has wireless charging as well.
As for battery life, the 3,000mAh Li-Ion might not speak a lot on paper but it does a god job and lasts the whole day on moderate use. In our video loop test, the G7 manages to play a movie continuously for about 14.5 hours at 50% birghtness, 0% volume and in airplane mode. PC Mark Battery test did not yield any results in repeated tests but we’re updating this once we get it the next time.
There’s fast charging and wireless charging supported by the device. Expect around 60-70 minutes charging time.
While LG made very little changes in the exterior of the G7, most of the improvements were under the hood — a newer, more powerful chipset, gorgeous display, a better camera system, best sound in any phone and an AI ecosystem that adds to the over-all experience.
It’s a great phone, packed with a lot of features that will impress. LG managed to pick up some of the good features of its previous flagships and improved upon them.
The LG G7 ThinQ is now available in retail stores nationwide and comes in either Aurora Black or Moroccan Blue. The 4GB/64GB variant has a suggested retail price of Php42,990.
| Specification | LG G7 ThinQ |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch 19.5:9 QHD+ FullVision Super Bright Display @ 3120 x 1440px , 564pi |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front and back) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 2.8GHz octa-core processor |
| GPU | Adreno 630 GPU |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4x RAM |
| Storage | 64GB UFS 2.1 internal storage |
| SIM | Dual-SIM (nano, hybrid) |
| MicroSD | expandable via microSD up to 2TB |
| Rear Camera | 16MP F1.6 + 16MP F1.9 wide-angle, LED flash |
| Front Camera | 8MP F1.9 wide-angle front |
| LTE | 4G LTE |
| WiFi | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 BLE |
| NFC | NFC |
| Port | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Audio | Boombox Speaker w/ DTS:X audio |
| 3.5mm audio port | |
| IP Rating | IP68-certified |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint scanner |
| Face Recognition | |
| Voice Recognition | |
| OS | Android 8.0 Oreo |
| Battery | 3,000mAh battery w/ Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 |
| Wireless Charging support (US version) | |
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 162 grams |
| Colors | New Platinum Gray, New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue, Raspberry Rose |
What we liked about it:
* Impressive performance
* Great dual-camera system
* Gorgeous display
* Practical AI features
* Very loud speaker
What we did not like:
* Battery life is average
* On the expensive side
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Allen Joshua Dalangin says:
A Snapdragon 845, a tall aspect ratio with the ever increasing (if not hated) notch, and “A.I.” capabilities, this is 2018 for smartphones in a nutshell. This is the formula the LG stuck with for the G7 ThinQ. On the whole, LG seems to have the basics covered. However, in the age of the Huawei P20 Pro and its triple cameras, the Galaxy S9 Plus with its 3500mAH power pack, and the Oneplus 6 with its Filipino friendly pricing, does a louder speaker and the appeal to the BTS Army enough for the G7 to do battle? I think not.
Firstly, tere’s no doubt that the G7 ThinQ goes toe to toe with all of the other 2018 flagships in terms of performance. The SD 845 is a beast of a chip which, in my opinion, is already overpowered for the average smartphone user. With all flagships, and even a large portion of midrange devices already packing enough power for the smartphone user, there’s not much of an opportunity here for LG to shine. Where it could’ve done better, however, is in battery capacity.
Surprisingly, a large majority of G7 users and reviewers report a good if not excellent battery life. This may be down to the efficiency of the SD845 or excellent optimization on LG’s part. However, there is still no escaping the laws of physics. No amount of software optimization will change the fact that 3000mAH is still 3000mAH. Batteries will always degrade no matter what. While engineers have worked incredibly well to mitigate this problem, physics is physics. After one or two years, depending on usage, there is no guarantee that the good battery life will stay. Furthermore, since the phone already had excellent power management, the decision to put a 3000mAH battery seems to be a wasted opportunity. Combining the software optimization with another 300 to 600 mAH of capacity would’ve easily made this phone a marathon runner – possibly matching or beating the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. What did LG choose to do instead? They dedicated the extra space in the phone chassis to the resonance chamber they tout so well.
With my time with the unit, I was actually surprised and satisfied by the sound quality being put out by the G7 ThinQ. If I were even more passionate about my music, I would immediately shortlist the G7 ThinQ. In addition, the Quad DAC 3.5mm audio jack is an audiophile’s dream. For the most dedicated of audio lovers out there, the tradeoff for battery capacity is a welcome choice. For the average user however? I think not. The Huawei Mate 10 Pro may not have the resonance chamber of the G7 ThinQ, but it does have the guts to create a mini boombox second only to the G7. Furthermore, with the average smartphone user streaming music on Spotify, there’s not much of a noticable difference in quality between the two units. Even LG’s own V30 delivers an on par experience with its Quad DAC and it currently sells for a lot cheaper through online sellers. So in this vain, where else can the G7 ThinQ shine? Let’s turn to the back.
The G7 ThinQ has the expected dual camera set-up on the back. Unlike most flagships however, the second lens is a wide angle instead of a telephoto. This means that the second lens is useful for zooming out on a subject to fit more in the frame, rather than zooming in. LG stood out in this area. However, the new wide angle lens is no longer as wide as it should be. It is now 107 degrees, down from the V30 and G6’s 125 degrees. Sure, this is still better than no wide angle at all, but at this point, the G series’ camera is no longer as special as it once was. It does at least improve on the V30’s low light performance, and compared to the G6, the difference is night and day. One area that I am disappointed with the G7 ThinQ’s cameras however is with its video performance. Even from the sample footage above, there is the tendency for the camera to put a slightly green tint on the otherwise blue sky. Ironically, this green-ness did not apply to the plant and greenery shots where it would’ve been more useful. Hopefully LG fixes this through a software update, especially with their heavy focus on its AI capabilities.
Speaking of A.I., the button on the left side is a cheeky take on Samsung’s Bixby button. I love how LG did not have the arrogance of Samsung and decided to go with what I would say is the best voice assistant on the market – Google Assistant. It functions well and props to LG for this great move.
So was the G7 ThinQ a great move? It depends on who you ask. If you ask me, it reminds me too much of the G6. Not in a design way, but in how it seemed to be compromised at launch. Sure, LG avoided using an old SOC this time around, but it stuck to a small battery and LCD. Personally, I would love to use the G7 ThinQ as my daily driver, however at nearly 43k? There’s simply too many other choices out there that can match or beat the G7 ThinQ at its own game.
Internally, there’s the V30 which sports, in my opinion has the better design, an arguably better screen, the same Quad DAC, the same manual camera controls, all at a cheaper or slightly cheaper price. If you know where to look, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro is also a compelling choice. It may have an inferior SOC, no wide angle camera, and the headache known as EMUI, it does at least come with one of the loudest speakers, an all day battery life, and a more pocket friendly price. Just be quick though as stocks are quickly running out. Lastly, if you’re simply looking for the easiest way to get into the SD 845 club, the Asus Zenfone 5Z is the way to go at a starting price of PhP 30k. You do give up waterproofing in the process though.
In conclusion, the G7 ThinQ is well armed, yet is not the best soldier to send out into battle. I can live with the compromised battery, especially since not all of it was wasted, but I cannot live with it’s asking price. I suggest giving LG 2 to 3 months, at which point the G7 ThinQ should be at a more palatable price.
Drew Guttadore says:
Nice add on review..
Paul says:
I actually kind of want this since they did a good job of advertising the new and improved features (BTS helped), but yes it’s very expensive at launch. =/ Must be the talent fee.
Screenburninsucks says:
Magandang phone, I’m expecting lg got rid of the bootloop issues in the older models.
Pabebe pa ang lg, sa 6gb/128gb lg g7+ lang naman ako interesado. Gawin nilang 46k ang g7+ with 3 year warranty and assorted colors at bibili talaga ako.
I am staying away from amoled phones now after my s9+ got screen burn in after 3 months tapos 1 year lang ang warranty.
Amoledburninsucks says:
Magandang phone, I’m expecting lg got rid of the bootloop issues in the older models.
Pabebe pa ang lg, sa 6gb/128gb lg g7+ lang naman ako interesado. Gawin nilang 46k ang g7+ with 3 year warranty and assorted colors at bibili talaga ako.
I am staying away from amoled phones now after my s9+ got screen burn in after 3 months tapos 1 year lang ang warranty.