The LG G8X Dual Screen (left) and Samsung Galaxy Fold.
Despite making phones that have been almost as good–better, in some instances–than Samsung’s offerings, South Korean tech brand LG’s mobile products have consistently been overshadowed by its cross-town rival, both critically and commercially.
Whether or not the one-sided favorable coverage towards Samsung has been justified is up for debate–personally, I think LG’s phones are often underrated, and don’t get enough credit for pioneering many of the mobile trends we see today–but after years of trying to match Samsung spec for spec, feature for feature, LG’s mobile strategy has pivoted in 2019.
This is the year Samsung put most of its chips on the cutting-edge foldable phone bet. Huawei did too; and other Chinese brands have already teased they’re going the same route. But LG decided to take another approach to a similar idea: instead of using bleeding edge, but unproven and expensive tech (a single OLED screen that bends in half for increased portability), it would make something that’s technically less impressive, but more practical, affordable, and durable (two traditional screens stitched together by a clam-shell hinge).
After using the LG G8X Dual Screen and Samsung Galaxy Fold side-by-side during a recent trip to Thailand, I realized that both phones delivered on their promise of giving us more screen in a foldable, portable package. But of course, each device does different things better than the other.
The Galaxy Fold (left) and the LG G8X Dual Screen (right).
And while I–a tech geek with money to spend–am entirely sold on Samsung’s vision of a personal computing device with a large screen that folds into a smaller form factor, I think right now, the LG G8X is the better buy for most consumers.
What’s similar; what’s different
The LG G8X Dual Screen and Samsung Galaxy Fold use entirely different tech, but are fundamentally the same idea: more screen real estate than a typical phone, but still something that can fit into a pocket.
A lot of other bits are similar, too: both devices run on Android 9 and are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855. Samsung’s and LG’s camera processing are also very similar, producing sharp, punchy images that are slightly over saturated. Speed, performance, RAM management are all similar.
Where they differ is obvious: the Galaxy Fold’s main selling point is its 7.3-inch plastic OLED screen that bends in half, while LG is merely placing two 6.4-inch traditional glass OLED panels side-by-side.
Form factor and one-hand usability
The LG G8X Dual Screen is a bulkier and larger device, though still manageable at 15mm overall thickness. Conversely, the Galaxy Fold is downright petite when in folded form, with a shape that resembles an old “dumb” Nokia phone from the late 90s.
The Fold is more petite and easier to grip when closed than the G8X Dual Screen.
In terms of thickness, they’re both about equal.
The back of both devices.
That, plus the fact that the Galaxy Fold has a fully functional smaller screen on the outside means I can use it even when it’s “closed.” The LG G8X Dual Screen cannot be used in this same closed form factor–I have to open up the device before I can use it. This makes the Fold far easier for one-hand usability. I can pull the Fold out of my pocket with one hand and immediately begin using; the LG G8X Dual Screen will almost certainly require a second hand to help open up the device.
But once it is opened, I find the G8X Dual Screen easier to hold with one-hand, due to the small grooves below the hinge which allows for my pinky finger to nestle underneath it for support. I can’t hold the Fold in its opened form with confidence–maybe the extravagant price tag adds to my paranoia.
Multi-tasking
The devices have different approaches to multi-tasking, aka running two or more apps side-by-side. The Galaxy Fold, when opened up in its full form, is essentially a tablet, so running two apps at the same time requires split-screen software implementation. LG’s G8X Dual Screen, however, acts as two screens separately in most instances, so any two apps will run alongside one another.
Multi-tasking on both phones.
Running Google Maps on one screen while reading an article on the other.
In my Galaxy Fold review, I found that Samsung has done an impressive job of building an intuitive multi-tasking system that requires only a couple of swipes and taps. But still, the fact that not all apps can run in this manner (Instagram, for example, does not work) means the LG G8X Dual Screen is better at multi-tasking by default.
Larger screen immersion
The Galaxy Fold is clearly superior here, as it is a single large screen. Although the aspect ratio is a bit weird, being able to watch YouTube or Netflix videos across a 7.3-inch screen from a device out of my pocket is a surreal experience I don’t think I’ll tire of anytime soon.
Reading a website across the entire screen is more immersive on the Galaxy Fold (right).
On the G8X Dual Screen, there is a rather large bezel and hinge that sits between the two screens, so the immersion is simply not there, even in apps that allow spanning both displays, such as Google Chrome and the South Korean web browser Whale.
Gaming
Considering that the Galaxy Fold is significantly superior for watching videos and offers a larger screen, one would think it would win the gaming category, too.
However, for certain games, I actually prefer the G8X Dual Screen experience, because it uses the second screen as an onscreen digital controller. This frees up the gameplay graphics from being blocked by on-screen buttons and my hand.
Gaming on the LG G8X Dual Screen is excellent.
Gaming on the Galaxy Fold.
For fighting or combat games, such as Street Fighter 4, having a dedicated virtual controller is easier and more intuitive to control than using on-screen buttons.
Cameras
The Galaxy Fold has an extra telephoto zoom lens that the G8X Dual Screen lacks, so it is by default a more capable camera system. But for standard and “ultrawide” angle photos, they’re very similar. In fact, I think LG’s cameras generally produced more details in low-light situations and is less prone to over-exposure.
The Fold’s wide-angle camera has a wider field of vision so images appear more dynamic, but there is noticeable distortion.
In terms of videos, Samsung can pull in more light, but footage is similar. Both have above average stabilization that’s better than the typical mid-range Xiaomi or Oppo fare, but falls short of the iPhone 11 Pro.
Two photo samples at night.
LG’s image is better detailed.
Samsung’s wide-angle is wider, but with more distortion.
One major benefit for the Fold is I can take photos without opening up the device; on the G8X Dual Screen, the phone has to be opened.
Battery life
Considering that neither devices have significantly larger battery sizes than, say, a typical single-screen Huawei phone, I was concerned about battery life for both the Fold and G8X Dual Screen before I got to test them, but both exceeded expectations.
The Galaxy Fold’s battery life is downright excellent. The 4,380 mAh battery has been enough to last me an entire day of use almost every single day I’ve used it. The LG G8X Dual Screen, meanwhile, can go the distance on a normal, average day, but not a heavy-use day, like when I’m traveling and tend to be out and about all day. On my recent trip to Chiang Mai, the G8X Dual Screen lasted 12 and half hours and gave me about seven hours of screen-on time. This included using Google Maps for navigation for hours and plenty of Spotify streaming and WhatsApp chatting.
Long story short, both phones’ endurance will be fine for normal daily use.
Durability
The Galaxy Fold has gotten plenty of bad press of the snarky variety after three or four units that were sent out to reviewers began malfunctioning after a day of use. Even now, six months later, and Samsung having made design changes to fix the issue, the consensus among reviewers is that the Fold is highly fragile.
Personally, I’ve used my Fold heavily for over a month, three weeks of which as my main phone, and my device is still in perfect condition. I must add that I am very careful with my gadgets–I haven’t dropped a phone in years–so I may not be the best example of a regular user.
The LG G8X is more durable by default.
Still, there’s no denying that the Fold is more fragile than a typical phone. There’s no chance it will survive a drop in water, and the plastic nature of the screen makes it soft to the touch. The G8X Dual Screen is more durable by default, because it is mostly a “regular” phone.
Pricing
By now, anyone who follows smartphones has heard of Samsung’s $2,000 asking price for the Galaxy Fold. Personally, I don’t think the price is ridiculous, considering it is a cutting-edge, never-before-seen, futuristic mini computer. I paid for my Galaxy Fold, and I’ve had zero regrets.
But like I concluded in the review, I’m an anomaly because I’m a serious tech geek with disposable income, and I happen to review phones for a living.
For most people, $2,000 for the Fold is out of the question. The LG G8X Dual Screen, meanwhile, is surprisingly cheap. When this device was announced back in September without pricing information, I guessed the phone by itself would sell for around $700 and the second screen add-on would be another $150-$200 extra. But LG will begin selling the entire set–phone and second screen–at $699.
That’s a difference of $1,301.
Conclusion
As I mentioned earlier, for average consumers, the $2,000 price tag of the Fold makes it a non-starter, so the G8X Dual Screen is the default choice for those who still want more screen in a pocketable package.
But what about those who aren’t scared off by the $2,000 price? Then the decision between the two Korean foldables is more complicated.
The Fold and the G8X Dual Screen.
The G8X Dual Screen is better at multi-tasking.
I think that if your top priority is getting work done, the G8X Dual Screen is better because it offers better multi-tasking capabilities, and additional features like the ability to use the device as a miniature laptop, with the bottom screen displaying a keyboard. I’ve used this form factor to send a couple of long emails, and it does offer a slightly faster typing experience than a thumb typing on a typical smartphone.
But if you’re after something more versatile, something that can be a movie-playing machine and also e-book reader, then the Galaxy Fold is more capable.
The way I see it: Samsung has made a limited edition futuristic device for privileged individuals to experience the future of portable computing; whereas LG made something more practical for consumers of today.
