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Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the Honor 8 takes on the LG V20. We have the two flagship devices that approach the subject in a different way, but in the end, we have two excellent devices. The Honor 8 is constructed like the Galaxy S7 devices with glass in the front and the back surrounded by a metal frame. The LG V20 is an all-metal device constructed out of aircraft quality aluminum. Both devices have a nice look about them and have a nice solid feel in your hand. The LG V20 is the larger of the two devices with a 5.7-inch display versus a 5.2-inch display on the Honor 8…but we all know that bigger does not automatically mean better. Let’s look at just what these two devices have in common, if anything, and then we will take a closer look at each one in hopes that we can determine a winner of this comparison.
Because the Honor 8 and the LG V20 have a different screen size, the LG V20 is larger overall and weighs in at 21 grams heavier. Besides a different display size, these devices have a different display technology and a different resolution. Huawei decided to use their processor and GPU rather than the Snapdragon brand that’s in most new devices today. They both sport 4GB of RAM and have 32GB/64GB models, and both offer expandable storage. Both devices use a dual-camera – the Honor 8 has two 12MP lenses and the LG V20 has a 16MP sensor and an 8MP wide-angle lens. Both devices offer Hi-Res audio, although the LG V20 takes it to the next level. They both have a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device as well as authorizing mobile payments. Both batteries offer some method of quick charging. The usual suspects are there – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, an IR Blaster, and a Type-C reversible port for charging and data transfer.
Please take a careful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Honor 8
The Honor 8 is the replacement for the wildly popular Honor 5X announced earlier this year. You can only purchase the Honor 8 online or through Best Buy and B&H Photo’s website. It is Huawei’s way of attracting the millennial market. The Honor 8 is a beauty and true flagship in every sense of the word. It has glass on the front and the back of the device with a metal frame holding it all together. It comes in a little small at 5.2-inches, but that used to be the sweet spot for smartphones. Just how does this $400 flagship stand up to the new LG V20 for double the price?
The Honor 8 sports a 5.2-inch AMOLED Full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 423 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) Huawei decided to go with their HiSilicon Kirin 950 octa-core processor with one quad-core clocked at 1.8GHz and another quad-core clocked at 2.3GHz. It uses a Mali-T880 MP4 GPU for graphics.
The primary camera functions are performed with two 12MP sensors with laser autofocus, a dual-toned LED flash, and an aperture of f/2.2. The front-facing camera (FFC) is a robust 8MP with a f/2.4 aperture for taking selfies and video chatting. It packs a 3000mAh non-removable battery with their Smart Power 4.0 fast battery charging.
The Honor 8 measures 145.5 x 71 x 7.5mm and weighs in at 153 grams. It is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and can be purchased in Pearl White, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, and Gold. It packs DTS sound for listening through those earphones. The fingerprint sensor also acts as a Smart Key that can be programmed to function with one or two pushes, and it can open an app, or turn on your flashlight, among other things. It will cost you about $400 online and is an excellent value for what you are receiving.
LG V20
There was no doubt that LG was going to keep a metal body on the new LG V20, but they switched up from the heavy stainless steel to the lighter aircraft grade aluminum. This change gave it a much smoother and more refined look – not to mention a much lighter device. Rather than having a silicone coated back, the only place you will notice the silicone is now at the top and bottom of the LG V20 to act as ‘bumpers’ for added safety if dropped. The V20 still uses a 5.7-inch primary display and smaller secondary display over the top – only much brighter this time around. The LG V20 is designed for those individuals that are interested in experimenting with photos or that want a device with a great sound through earphones.
The LG V20 sports a primary IPS Quantum QHD display that measures 5.7-inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 513 PPI as well as a secondary display, near the top of the device and is a 1040 x 160-pixel display that is also 513 PPI. The purpose of the secondary display is to function as an always-on display so you can still see your notifications when the main display is locked. This year LG seriously brightened the secondary display making it easier to read the notifications. The LG V20 uses the best processor on the market – a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores running at 1.6GHz and dual cores running at 2.15GHz. The LG V20 packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 64GB of faster UFS 2.0 internal storage with room to expand.
LG kept the primary 16MP sensor from the LG G5 but then LG added another 8MP wide-angle lens that operates independently. It comes in useful for those scenic shots or family portraits when you would like a wider shot. LG included laser and phase detection autofocus (PDAF,) added a large f/1.8 aperture (f/2.4 for the 8MP sensor), OIS and a dual-tone LED flash. On the flip side, LG decided to go back to a single 5MP FFC with a f/1.9 aperture for selfies or video chatting. The LG V20 packs a 3200mAh removable battery that should last through the day. Quick Charge 3.0 makes for a fast charge or just replace it with a new battery.
The LG V20 includes four DACs (Digital-to-Analog Convertors), which is a first in a smartphone. LG improved the sound quality, then provided an excellent EQ with left/right balance controls that are B&O Play certified, but forgot about adding dual front-facing speakers. The LG V20 is built so ‘soundly’ that it has achieved the MIL-STD-810G certification. The V20 measures 159.7 x 78.1 x 7.6mm and weighs in at 174 grams and cost should be around $800. The LG V20 is available in the colors Titan, Silver, and Pink. Last, but certainly not least, the LG V20 will be running Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
This decision was a tough one because of my love of the LG V20, but the Honor 8 seems to offer quite a bit for its $400 price tag. The negatives are LTE is only usable on T-Mobile or AT&T, and it has a smaller, FHD display with no always-on feature. Other than those demerits, it is beautifully designed, uses an AMOLED display, has a powerful processor, the same amount of RAM and expandable memory, uses dual cameras for excellent photos, a large, non-removable battery with Smart Power 4.0 to give you a 47% battery boost in only 30 minutes.
The LG V20 is an excellent smartphone with a larger LCD display, a secondary display, four DAC’s and B&O Play certified sound (but only one poorly sounding speaker), and is MIL-STD-810G certified.
Both devices are solid performers, and if you are already on AT&T or T-Mobile, you may want to grab the Honor 8 for $400 and run. If you demand a larger display and the second-screen for notifications, then throw in another $400 and grab the LG V20.
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