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LG G8 ThinQ battery size revealed as larger than all of the company's 2018 flagships

Published: Feb 01, 2019, 4:39 AM

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LG G8 ThinQ battery size revealed as larger than all of the company's 2018 flagships

LG has not one, not two, but three interesting high-end smartphones expected to be released over the next few months, including a G8 ThinQ that may or may not resemble those recently leaked renders, a 5G-enabled handset reportedly called V50 ThinQ, and a more distant, mysterious foldable device to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Of course, only one of these three impending products is of actual interest for high-end smartphone buyers unwilling to spend a small fortune on their next big thing. We have some interesting new information to share about that particular device, as freshly unearthed certification documents over in Brazil (via Dutch website Mobielkopen) seem to confirm the 3,400 mAh battery size of the LG “Alpha.”

LG G8 ThinQ vs previous (and future) LG flagships

In case you’re wondering how we can know the identity of an LG-made phone revealed to pack the aforementioned battery capacity under model number BL-T41 by Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), the answer is actually very simple.

The handset’s official certificate of technical conformity references “Project Alpha” a couple of times, going so far as to claim “this product may be marketed under the commercial name Alpha.”

Perhaps that’s what LG’s head of global communications meant when disputing the accuracy of the first batch of leaked CAD-based G8 ThinQ renders. Of course, in the meantime, we’ve seen the phone pictured in press-friendly quality again, including that exact name imprinted on its back.

But let’s focus on what’s truly important here. We now know the battery size of the LG G8 ThinQ (or LG Alpha), and... it’s not bad. It could be (much) better, but if the 3,400 mAh number does pan out (which is almost guaranteed), the G7 ThinQ will probably be left in the dust in terms of actual endurance between charges.

That’s because the company’s early 2018 flagship came with a fairly unimpressive 3,000 mAh cell that nevertheless performed decently in our extensive testing, trumping the 3,300 mAh juicer of 2017’s LG G6.

Meanwhile, the LG V35 ThinQ lasted more on a single charge in our standard battery benchmark, but the V40 ThinQ was quite the disappointment. The two shared a 3,300 mAh battery, but the latter came with a much bigger screen.

If recent rumors are to be trusted, the LG “Alpha” could pair this sizable new 3,400 mAh cell with a 6.1-inch or so OLED panel. Unless the new Snapdragon 855 processor proves to be a major energy drainer, the G8 ThinQ should be able to match the solid battery life results of the V35 ThinQ.

Then again, the LG G8 ThinQ is expected to see daylight alongside a V50 ThinQ already confirmed to offer a whopping 4,000 mAh of juice. That's going to make it extremely hard for anyone to care about the "Alpha", regardless of the price difference between the two new LG high-enders.

LG G8 ThinQ vs the 2019 competition

If LG Mobile wants to start making money again, the company needs to better compete with Samsung. But if the G8 ThinQ does indeed sport a wide notch, it’s going to be difficult to steal the thunder of the “Infinity-O” Galaxy S10.

On the bright side (for LG), this same Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency recently revealed the “regular” Samsung Galaxy S10 packs a 3,300 mAh battery. Other sources point to an identical screen size with that of the G8 ThinQ, giving LG a slight (theoretical) edge in battery life.

But Sony could totally obliterate the MWC 2019 competition by squeezing a colossal 4,400 mAh battery into a remarkably thin 8.2 mm Xperia XZ4 body. Granted, we’re talking about a significantly larger and taller handset there. Nonetheless, if that rumor proves legit, LG will have an even harder job of making the “Alpha” stand out from this spring’s high-end pack.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.