LG G7 ThinQ vs Samsung Galaxy S9
At an event in NYC, LG has just unveiled the next flagship device in its G-series of handsets. The G7 ThinQ replaces the G6 and will sit alongside the V30 in LG’s high-end lineup.
Competing as a flagship is a tough business, especially when the rivals are so strong – one of the G7’s most significant rivals is Samsung’s Galaxy S9. But which of these Android phones should you consider for your next upgrade?
LG G7 ThinQ vs Samsung Galaxy S9 – Specs
Internally, there are many similarities between these two phones. Both run the latest mobile processors – a Snapdragon 845 in the G7 and US versions of the S9, with an Exynos 8910 powering the European S9. Both have between 4 and 6GB of RAM, and storage starts at 64GB and is expandable via microSD.
One of the biggest differences is screen type. The Samsung Galaxy S9 comes in two sizes (5.8-inch and 6.2-inch), while there’s only a single variety of the G7 at 6.1 inches. Resolution across all is identical at quad-HD+, but Samsung uses OLED tech as opposed to LCD used by LG.
While OLED is generally considered the superior screen tech, LG shipped the V30 with an OLED that was pretty poor, so the switch back isn’t too much of a shame. LG is also hyping up the brightness levels of its new display, which it claims can hit 1000 nits. Samsung’s Galaxy S9 can hit these levels, too, but this isn’t something the user has control over.
Both displays support HDR10, meaning you can view high dynamic range content via Netflix and other supported services.
Another point of difference between the two brands of phone is the camera. On the rear of the Samsung Galaxy S9 you’ll find a 12-megapixel sensor with an aperture that switches between f/2.4 and f/1.5. The wider f/1.5 aperture is great for letting in light when it’s dark, while the f/2.4 is used for daylight snaps. If you plump for the S9 Plus, you get a secondary 12-megapixel sensor with a 2x focal length for improved zoom too.
The LG G7 also has two cameras: a regular 16-megapixel sensor with OIS and f/1.6 aperture and a wide-angle 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.9 aperture and OIS. That wider camera is great for capturing landscapes and fitting more into your snaps. LG has also loaded the camera with some AI smarts, such as scene detection. Both phones have an 8-megapixel front camera and can record 4K video.
Like the regular S9, the G7 sports a non-removable 3000mAh battery. We weren’t too impressed with the S9’s battery, so it will be interesting to see how the G7 fares. USB-C is the connection of choice for both devices and there’s quick-charging too.
Check out the spec sheet below for a full look at what these two phones are packing.
| Phone | LG G7 ThinQ | Samsung Galaxy S9/S9 Plus |
| Screen | 6.1-inch, QHD, IPS, 19.5:9, HDR | 5.8-inch (S9) or 6.2-inch (S9 Plus) OLED, HDR, 18:9 |
| CPU | Snapdragon 845 | Snapdragon 845/ Exynos 8910 |
| RAM | 4/6GB (market dependent) | 4GB (S9) 6GB (S9 Plus) |
| Storage | 64/128GB | 64/128/256GB |
| Rear camera | 16-megapixel, f/1.6, OIS, 77-degree main, 16-megapixel f/1.9, 107-degree secondary | 12-megapixel variable aperture sensor (f2.4 – f/1.5), OIS, 12-megapixel secondary 2x sensor (S9 Plus only) |
| Front camera | 8 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 3000mAh (S9) 3500mAh (S9 Plus) |
| Weight | 162g | 163g (S9) 189g (S9 Plus) |
| OS | Android 8.0 | Android 8.0 |
LG G7 ThinQ vs Samsung Galaxy S9 – Design
When Samsung switched up its industrial design with the release of the Galaxy S8 in 2017, everyone was impressed. Even though the S9 looks very much like its older brother, there’s still plenty to like.
The curved display that moulds into the curved back with only a sliver of metal in the middle certainly impresses. We’ve only had a short time with the G7 so far, but it doesn’t feel quite as high-end as the Galaxy S9.
Both phones have a headphone jack, so you don’t need to rely on dongles or Bluetooth, while the G7 takes this a step further by adding in a quad DAC for even better audio from your headphones. Both handsets benefit from water-resistance and each has a fingerprint sensor below the camera on phones’ rear.
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Another new hardware addition to the G7 is a dedicated Google Assistant button. A single press of this brings up the assistant, while a double-hit opens up Google Lens. Interestingly, the S9 has a similar button: a Bixby button. Pressing this doesn’t bring up Google Assistant; instead, it enables Samsung’s Bixby virtual assistant.
LG G7 ThinQ vs Samsung Galaxy S9 – Price and release
LG hasn’t yet confirmed the G7 ThinQ’s price, nor when we’ll see the device on shelves – although we don’t envisage that it’s too far away. Samsung’s Galaxy S9 has been out for a few months now and retails for £739 and £869 for the S9 Plus.
LG G7 ThinQ vs Samsung Galaxy S9 – Early verdict
While it’s far too early to say whether or not the LG G7 ThinQ is a better phone than the Samsung Galaxy S9, it’s fair to say it has a tough task ahead of it.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
