Choosing between two top-tier smartphones can be a daunting task, especially when they offer distinct strengths. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and the LG V20 have both carved out their niches in the premium mobile market.
The Galaxy S8 impressed with its sleek Infinity Display and powerful performance, setting new standards for design. Meanwhile, the LG V20 stood out with its unique dual-camera system and robust audio capabilities, appealing to a different kind of tech enthusiast.
If you’re weighing these two formidable devices, understanding their key differences is crucial. We’ll dive deep into what makes each phone tick to help you decide which one best fits your needs and preferences.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Galaxy S8 | LG V20 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.2-inch Super AMOLED | 5.7-inch IPS LCD |
| Display Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
| Processor | Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895 | Snapdragon 820 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Internal Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 64GB |
| Expandable Storage | Yes (microSD) | Yes (microSD) |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Dual Pixel | 16MP + 8MP Wide-angle |
| Front Camera | 8MP Autofocus | 5MP |
| Battery Capacity | 3500 mAh | 3200 mAh |
| Operating System (Launch) | Android 7.0 Nougat | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | No |
| Biometric Security | Iris Scanner, Fingerprint, Face Recognition | Fingerprint Sensor |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Galaxy S8: Features a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels. It boasts vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness, making it great for media consumption. The curved edges offer an immersive viewing experience, though some users find them prone to accidental touches.
- Lg V20: Sports a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. While not as vibrant as the S8’s AMOLED, it offers excellent color accuracy and good brightness. The secondary display at the top is a unique feature for quick notifications and shortcuts.
- Winner: galaxy s8
Processor
- Galaxy S8: Powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Samsung’s Exynos 8895 chipset, depending on the region. Both offer top-tier performance for demanding apps and multitasking, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience. It handles games and heavy applications with ease.
- Lg V20: Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. While still a capable chip, it’s a generation older than the S8’s. It provides good performance for everyday tasks and most applications, but may show slight limitations in the most demanding gaming scenarios compared to the S8.
- Winner: galaxy s8
RAM
- Galaxy S8: Comes with 4GB of RAM. This is sufficient for most users and allows for smooth multitasking and app switching. While not the highest amount available at the time, it’s well-optimized for the device’s performance.
- Lg V20: Offers 4GB of RAM. Similar to the S8, this provides a solid multitasking experience for everyday use. It’s ample for running multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
- Winner: Tie
Camera (Rear)
- Galaxy S8: Features a 12MP dual-pixel rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture. It excels in low-light photography and produces sharp, detailed images with excellent dynamic range. Its autofocus is incredibly fast and accurate, making it easy to capture fleeting moments.
- Lg V20: Boasts a dual-camera system: a 16MP main sensor (f/1.8) and an 8MP wide-angle lens (f/2.4). The wide-angle lens is a significant advantage for landscape shots and group photos. Image quality is generally good, though it can struggle slightly more in very low light compared to the S8.
- Winner: galaxy s8
Camera (Front)
- Galaxy S8: Equipped with an 8MP front-facing camera with autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture. It takes clear and detailed selfies, and the autofocus ensures your face is always in sharp focus. It’s great for video calls and social media.
- Lg V20: Features a 5MP front-facing camera with a wide-angle lens (f/1.9). The wide-angle is beneficial for fitting more people into selfies or capturing more of the background. Image quality is decent but lacks the autofocus found on the S8.
- Winner: galaxy s8
Battery
- Galaxy S8: Houses a 3000mAh battery. It provides a full day of moderate use for most users, though heavy usage might require a midday top-up. It supports fast charging and wireless charging.
- Lg V20: Comes with a larger 3200mAh removable battery. The removability is a significant plus for users who like to carry spares. It offers good battery life, often comparable to or slightly better than the S8 for many users.
- Winner: lg v20
Storage
- Galaxy S8: Offers 64GB of internal storage. This is a good amount for apps, photos, and videos. It also supports microSD card expansion up to 256GB, providing ample room for media.
- Lg V20: Provides 64GB of internal storage. Similar to the S8, this is a generous starting point. It also features microSD card support for expandable storage, up to 2TB.
- Winner: Tie
Special Features
- Galaxy S8: Highlights include Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience, an iris scanner for enhanced security, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The curved display and minimalist design are also key aesthetic features. It offers a premium, feature-rich experience.
- Lg V20: Stands out with its unique secondary display for notifications, a removable battery, and a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC for superior audio output. It also boasts a robust build with MIL-STD-810G drop protection. The focus is on multimedia and durability.
- Winner: lg v20
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display | Galaxy S8 |
| Camera | Galaxy S8 |
| Performance | Galaxy S8 |
| Battery Life | Galaxy S8 |
| Audio | LG V20 |
| Build Quality & Durability | LG V20 |
| Innovation & Features | LG V20 |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both phones offer high-resolution displays that provide sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making them great for media consumption.
- Expandable Storage: Users of both the Galaxy S8 and LG V20 can expand their storage capacity via a microSD card, offering flexibility for media and app storage.
- Operating System: Both devices launched with Android 7.0 Nougat, providing a similar software experience out of the box with access to the Google Play Store.
- RAM: Both phones come equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is generally sufficient for smooth multitasking and running most applications.
- Fast Charging: Both the Galaxy S8 and LG V20 support fast charging technologies, allowing for quicker power-ups when the battery is low.
Galaxy S8 Vs Lg V20 Buying Guide
Camera Capabilities
The Galaxy S8 boasts a single, stellar 12MP rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, excelling in low-light performance and offering impressive detail and color reproduction. Its Dual Pixel autofocus ensures rapid and accurate focusing. The LG V20, on the other hand, features a dual-camera system: a 16MP main sensor and an 8MP wide-angle lens. This versatility allows for creative shots, but the V20’s overall image processing and low-light capabilities generally fall slightly short of the S8’s refined output. (See Also: Demeyere 5 Plus Vs Atlantis )
Display and Design
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 redefined smartphone displays with its immersive 5.8-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display, featuring minimal bezels and a stunning 18.5:9 aspect ratio. This creates a truly edge-to-edge viewing experience, perfect for media consumption. The LG V20 sports a more traditional 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. While still a good display, it lacks the visual flair and immersion of the S8’s panel. The V20’s design prioritizes durability with its MIL-STD-810G certification.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the Galaxy S8 is powered by either the Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM, delivering fluid performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. Its 3000mAh battery, while not the largest, is optimized for efficiency. The LG V20 features the Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM, offering solid performance, though it’s a generation older than the S8’s chip. The V20’s key advantage lies in its user-replaceable 2980mAh battery, offering a significant convenience for power users.
Audio and Extra Features
The LG V20 shines in its audio capabilities, featuring a Quad DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for superior sound quality through headphones, making it a audiophile’s dream. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a powerful built-in speaker. The Galaxy S8, while having decent audio output, doesn’t compete with the V20’s audiophile-grade experience. Both phones offer water resistance (IP68 for S8, splash resistance for V20), but the V20’s removable battery and IR blaster are unique selling points. (See Also: Nikon 50 1 8 Vs 1 4 )
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Galaxy S8 If…
- You prioritize a premium, modern design with an edge-to-edge display.
- You want the absolute best camera performance in its class for photos and videos.
- You desire advanced biometric security features like iris scanning.
- You need robust water and dust resistance for peace of mind.
Buy LG V20 If…
- You value an exceptional audio experience with a high-quality DAC and headphone jack.
- You need the versatility of a secondary display for quick access to notifications and apps.
- You prefer a more traditional smartphone design with physical buttons and a removable battery.
- You’re looking for a durable device with a solid build that can withstand more demanding conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better camera for low-light photography?
The Samsung Galaxy S8 generally takes superior photos in low-light conditions. Its 12MP rear camera, with its wider f/1.7 aperture and advanced Dual Pixel autofocus, captures more light and detail, resulting in brighter and less noisy images compared to the LG V20. While the V20’s dual-camera setup offers versatility, the S8’s single sensor is more optimized for challenging lighting environments.
Is the LG V20’s removable battery a significant advantage?
For users who frequently find themselves away from a charger or who prefer not to wait for a phone to recharge, the LG V20’s removable battery is a major advantage. It allows for instant power by swapping in a fresh, fully charged battery. This feature is absent on the Galaxy S8, which relies on its internal, non-user-replaceable battery, making battery swaps impossible.
Which phone offers a more immersive viewing experience?
The Samsung Galaxy S8 provides a significantly more immersive viewing experience thanks to its “Infinity Display.” This design features a high screen-to-body ratio with minimal bezels and an elongated 18.5:9 aspect ratio. This makes videos, games, and general browsing feel more expansive. The LG V20’s display, while good, has a more traditional aspect ratio and noticeable bezels, making it less visually engaging. (See Also: Samsung Pro Vs Evo 850 )
How do the audio outputs compare?
The LG V20 is the clear winner for audio enthusiasts. It features a Quad DAC, delivering significantly higher fidelity audio through headphones than the Galaxy S8. This results in richer, more detailed sound reproduction. While the S8’s audio is perfectly adequate for most users, the V20’s audio prowess is a standout feature for those who prioritize exceptional sound quality from their mobile device.
Which phone is better for gaming?
For raw gaming performance, the Galaxy S8 holds a slight edge. Its Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8895 chipset is more powerful and efficient than the LG V20’s Snapdragon 820. This translates to smoother frame rates and better handling of graphically intensive games. However, both phones are capable of running most mobile games well, and the V20’s expansive display can still offer an enjoyable gaming experience.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S8 stands out with its revolutionary Infinity Display, superior camera performance, and more powerful processor, offering a premium user experience. While the LG V20 impresses with its audiophile-grade sound and the convenience of a removable battery, the S8’s overall package, from design to daily performance, makes it the more compelling device for most users seeking a flagship experience in 2017.
Winner: Galaxy S8