Lg K8 (2018) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The LG K8 (2018) is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch. With its sleek design and durable build, it offers a great user experience. The 5.0-inch S-IPS LCD display delivers vibrant colors and sharp images, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Powered by a quad-core processor and running on Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), this phone ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. The 16GB internal storage can be expanded with a microSD card, giving you ample space for your apps, photos, and videos. The 8MP main camera with LED flash captures clear and detailed photos, while the 5MP front camera is perfect for selfies. With a removable 2500mAh battery, you can easily stay connected all day. Available in Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, and Terra Gold, the LG K8 (2018) offers style and functionality at an affordable price.

Design and Build Quality

The LG K8 (2018) showcases a sleek design and a premium look and feel, making it an appealing choice for users seeking an aesthetically pleasing device. The phone features a glass front with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added protection, while the back and frame are made of plastic. Its dimensions of 146.3 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm and weight of 152 g contribute to its portability and one-handed usability. The device incorporates a 5.0-inch S-IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, providing vibrant colors and sharp visuals.

Ergonomics are considered in the design, as the LG K8 (2018) offers a comfortable grip, ensuring a secure hold. The construction and build quality are commendable, further enhancing its durability. The phone's finishing touches are well-executed, giving it a refined appearance. The placement of buttons and controls is intuitive, allowing for effortless navigation.

While the bezels are noticeable, they do not detract significantly from the overall design. The back panel of the LG K8 (2018) is removable, revealing a removable battery and access to the microSD card slot. This feature adds convenience for users who require additional storage or prefer to carry spare batteries.

In conclusion, the LG K8 (2018) boasts a robust and sturdy construction, coupled with a sleek design and premium materials. Its ergonomic design elements, such as the comfortable grip and intuitive button placement, contribute to its overall appeal. The phone strikes a balance between portability and durability, making it an attractive option for users seeking a reliable and stylish device.

Display

The LG K8 (2018) features a 5.0-inch S-IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 64.4%, providing a decent amount of screen real estate. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which offers some level of protection against scratches and minor impacts.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the display on the LG K8 (2018) is satisfactory for everyday use. It offers decent brightness levels, making it readable under most lighting conditions. However, it may struggle a bit under direct sunlight due to its average outdoor visibility. The touch responsiveness of the display is generally smooth and responsive, ensuring a pleasant user experience.

While the LG K8 (2018) does not feature advanced display technologies like OLED or HDR, it provides a satisfactory viewing experience for its price range. The pixel density of approximately 294 pixels per inch ensures reasonably sharp visuals. The display has a standard refresh rate without any high refresh rate capabilities. It also does not offer wide color gamut or HDR support, limiting its ability to reproduce vibrant and lifelike colors.

The viewing angles of the display are decent, allowing for reasonable visibility when viewed from different angles. However, it does not feature an anti-reflective coating, which may result in some glare and reflections in certain lighting conditions. The LG K8 (2018) does not have a notch design and features slightly noticeable bezels around the display.

Overall, the display of the LG K8 (2018) provides a satisfactory viewing experience for everyday tasks, but it may not meet the expectations of users looking for advanced display technologies or exceptional color reproduction.

Performance

The LG K8 (2018) is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, which plays a crucial role in its overall performance. The exact variant of the chipset depends on the region, with the Global version featuring the Snapdragon 210, and the USA version featuring the Snapdragon 425. These quad-core processors, combined with Adreno GPUs, deliver a satisfactory performance for everyday tasks and basic usage.

In terms of CPU benchmarks, the Snapdragon chipsets in the LG K8 (2018) achieve decent scores. While they may not be on par with higher-end smartphones, they are more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, social media, and multimedia consumption. The quad-core architecture ensures smooth multitasking performance, allowing users to switch between apps with relative ease.

When it comes to gaming, the LG K8 (2018) offers a modest gaming experience. The Adreno GPUs provide adequate graphics capabilities, allowing for smooth gameplay in lighter and less demanding games. However, for more graphically intensive games, the device may struggle to deliver a consistently high frame rate and optimal graphics settings. It is important to note that the phone's gaming capabilities are limited by its lower-end specifications.

In terms of system optimization and thermal management, the LG K8 (2018) does a decent job in maintaining a smooth user experience. App loading speeds are generally satisfactory, and the device handles day-to-day tasks without significant lag or slowdowns. However, it is worth noting that the device may experience some performance limitations when running multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously.

In benchmark tests, the LG K8 (2018) achieves average scores compared to other smartphones in its price range. Synthetic benchmarks indicate its solid performance for its class, but it falls short when compared to higher-end devices. Gaming benchmarks also highlight its limitations in handling graphically demanding games.

Overall, the LG K8 (2018) offers a reliable performance for its target audience. It provides a smooth user experience for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications and games. The chipset and GPU combination works efficiently within its limitations, but users should not expect top-tier performance. Nevertheless, for those seeking a budget-friendly device, the LG K8 (2018) delivers satisfactory performance metrics and an overall smooth user experience.

Software and User Interface

The LG K8 (2018) comes with the Android 7.1.2 Nougat operating system out of the box. With this version of Android, users can expect a smooth and intuitive user experience. The device features LG's custom interface, which adds a few tweaks and features to the stock Android experience. This customization includes a unique launcher, customized icons, and additional settings options.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the LG K8 (2018) does come with a few apps that are specific to LG. These include LG's own apps such as QuickMemo+, which allows users to take notes and capture screenshots easily. There are also some pre-installed third-party apps, but these can vary depending on the region and carrier. Some users may find these pre-installed apps useful, while others might consider them as bloatware. However, it is worth noting that most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled if they are not required.

Overall, the software on the LG K8 (2018) is user-friendly and offers a familiar Android experience with added customization from LG. The interface is easy to navigate, and the device offers a decent level of performance for everyday tasks. The Android 7.1.2 Nougat operating system provides a stable and reliable platform for users to enjoy their smartphone experience.

Camera

The LG K8 (2018) comes with a single main camera, featuring an LED flash and HDR capabilities. The camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels and is capable of capturing detailed images. It performs well in daylight photography, producing images with natural colors and good sharpness. The camera also has a decent dynamic range, allowing for well-balanced exposure in different lighting conditions.

In terms of low-light performance, the LG K8 (2018) camera does struggle a bit. While it does have an LED flash to assist in low-light situations, the noise reduction capabilities are not as strong, resulting in some graininess in images taken in darker environments. However, the camera does offer a night mode that helps to improve low-light sensitivity and reduce noise.

The camera on the LG K8 (2018) also comes with various features such as portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode, allowing users to capture creative shots with ease. Additionally, it supports video recording with options for 4K video and slow-motion video. The video stabilization feature helps in reducing shakiness when recording videos, ensuring smoother footage. The camera also supports time-lapse recordings, allowing users to capture longer events in a condensed format.

Overall, the camera on the LG K8 (2018) is suitable for everyday photography needs, providing decent image quality and a range of features to enhance the user's photography experience.

Battery Life

The LG K8 (2018) is equipped with a removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery. While the battery capacity may seem modest compared to some other smartphones on the market, it is important to consider the power efficiency and optimization features of the device. The battery performance of the LG K8 (2018) is decent, providing a satisfactory screen-on time and standby time. However, it does not support fast charging or wireless charging options. Users may need to rely on regular charging methods and ensure they have a charger handy when needed. It is advisable to optimize battery usage by managing background apps and utilizing battery saver modes when necessary. While the battery capacity may not be the largest, the LG K8 (2018) offers a good balance between battery life and performance, ensuring that users can get through a day with moderate usage without much worry about battery drain.

Connectivity and Networking

The LG K8 (2018) offers a decent range of connectivity options. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE network compatibility, allowing users to connect to various cellular networks. With 4G LTE support, users can experience fast data speeds for browsing and streaming. In terms of wireless connectivity, the device features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, which allows for reliable internet access. Bluetooth 4.2 is also included, enabling users to connect wirelessly to other devices such as headphones or speakers. Unfortunately, NFC is not available on this model. For charging and data transfer, the LG K8 (2018) uses a microUSB 2.0 port. It does not support USB-C, which is becoming more common in newer devices. However, the device does support USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, allowing users to connect peripherals such as USB flash drives. Additionally, the LG K8 (2018) is available in both single SIM and dual SIM variants, providing flexibility for users who need multiple phone lines. The device also features a GPS system, which enables accurate navigation and location services. Overall, the LG K8 (2018) offers a decent range of connectivity options, although it lacks certain features like NFC and USB-C.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The LG K8 (2018) comes with a range of features that make it a reliable and user-friendly smartphone. With its compact and lightweight design, it is easy to carry and fits comfortably in the hand. The phone is also equipped with a durable Gorilla Glass 3 protection, ensuring resistance against scratches and accidental drops.


• Water and Dust Resistance: Unfortunately, the LG K8 (2018) does not offer any water or dust resistance capabilities. It is important to handle the phone with care to avoid any damage from exposure to water or dust.


• Wireless Charging: The LG K8 (2018) does not support wireless charging. It relies on a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.


• Advanced Sensors: The LG K8 (2018) features a variety of sensors to enhance the user experience. It comes with an accelerometer, which allows the phone to detect motion and orientation. Additionally, it is equipped with proximity sensors that can detect the presence of nearby objects without physical contact.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The LG K8 (2018) is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features at an affordable price point. When comparing it to other related devices in the market, it competes with phones like the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and the Motorola Moto E5 Play.

In terms of specifications, the LG K8 (2018) features a 5.0-inch S-IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 or 425 chipset, depending on the region, and comes with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM. The phone has 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card.

When compared to its competitors, the LG K8 (2018) stands out with its Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which offers added durability to the display. It also has a removable 2500mAh battery, which is a unique feature in today's market where most smartphones have non-removable batteries.

In terms of performance, the LG K8 (2018) may not be as powerful as some of its competitors. The Snapdragon 210 or 425 chipset, coupled with the lower amount of RAM, may result in slower processing speeds and limited multitasking capabilities. However, for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming, the phone should perform adequately.

When it comes to pricing, the LG K8 (2018) is positioned as a budget-friendly option. Priced at around 140 EUR, it offers decent value for money considering its features and specifications. However, its competitors like the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and the Motorola Moto E5 Play may offer similar or better performance at similar price points.

In terms of market competition, the LG K8 (2018) faces tough competition from other budget-friendly smartphones. Its competitive advantage lies in its removable battery and Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which may appeal to users looking for these specific features. However, it may struggle to differentiate itself in terms of overall performance and features.

Overall, the LG K8 (2018) is a solid budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features and specifications. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich option in its price range, it provides good value for money and may be a suitable choice for users with basic smartphone needs.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the LG K8 (2018) is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features for its price range. It features a compact design with a durable Gorilla Glass 3 display. The Snapdragon processor ensures smooth performance for day-to-day tasks, although it may struggle with more demanding applications. The 16GB internal storage can be expanded, allowing users to store their files and media. The camera quality is satisfactory, with an LED flash for better low-light photography. The removable 2500mAh battery provides adequate power for a full day of usage. Overall, the LG K8 (2018) is a reliable option for those seeking an affordable smartphone with basic functionality.