LG G8 vs. Moto Z4: Which should you buy?

LG G8
LG G8 (Image credit: Android Central)

LG G8

This is a flagship-level phone that now dips down to a mid-range price at times. The hardware, display, specs, and cameras are all on par with a phone that's hundreds more, which puts it way beyond your typical $500 phone.

LG G8

Get it on sale

High-end specs for the money
Great screen
Capable cameras
Water-resistant
Cumbersome software

Moto Z4

The Moto Z4 leans on Motorola's clean software, simple hardware, and Moto Mod compatibility. It's a reliable phone, but not one that can compete with devices in the tier above.

Moto Z4

Ready for Mods

Easy-to-use software
Excellent battery life
Moto Mod compatibility
Weak performance
Dim display in daylight

The LG G8 would usually sit way above the Moto Z4, but sales bring the G8's price so low that they're directly comparable at times.

What's the difference between the LG G8 and Moto Z4?

LG G8 price drops bring it down to $600 or even $500 at times, which makes it an incredible value and also a completely unfair fight for the Moto Z4 that was designed to be this price from the start. Just looking at the spec sheet, you can see the LG G8's head start: a higher-resolution screen, a dramatically better processor, more RAM, more cameras, water resistance, and more.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 LG G8Moto Z4
Operating SystemAndroid 9 PieAndroid 9 Pie
Display6.1-inch OLED
3120x1440
Gorilla Glass 6
6.39-inch OLED
2340x1080
Gorilla Glass 3
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 855Qualcomm Snapdragon 675
Storage128GB128GB
ExpandablemicroSDmicroSD
RAM6GB4GB
Rear Camera 112MP, 1.4µm pixels, f/1.5, OIS
78° lens
48MP quad pixel, f/1.7
Rear Camera 216MP, 1.0µm pixels, f/1.9
107° lens, fixed focus
n/a
Front Camera 18MP, f/1.7
80° lens, fixed focus
25MP, f/2.0
wide-angle lens
Front Camera 2ToFn/a
Audio32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC
Boombox speaker
Crystal Sound OLED speaker
Headphone jack
Front-facing speaker
Headphone jack
Battery3500mAh
Non-removable
3600mAh
Non-removable
ChargingUSB-C
Quick Charge 3.0
Qi wireless
USB-C
TurboPower charger
Water resistanceIP68
MIL-STD 810G certified
Water-repellent coating
SecurityRear fingerprint sensor
Face unlock
Hand ID
In-display fingerprint sensor
Dimensions151.9 x 71.8 x 8.4 mm
167 g
75 x 158 x 7.35 mm
165 g

The G8's spec sheet is stronger, but that advantage also carries over to how the phone actually operates. You'll immediately notice the difference in display quality and overall performance with the G8, which are areas companies tend to skimp when prices drop. You'll also be getting an extra camera on both the front and back of the G8, and while the Moto Z4's cameras are capable they don't stand up to what LG has to offer. Incredibly, you could get this much phone for as little as $500 with the LG G8 when sales land.

The $500 Moto Z4 isn't a complete loser here, because its software is superior in terms of being simple and easy to use, its battery life is a big strength, and it has Moto Mods compatibility for fun accessorizing. But you can probably look past LG's more antiquated and sometimes frustrating software to get all of the other benefits that put it above the Moto Z4 in daily use.

Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.