LG G8X Launches Nov. 1 for $700 With Free Dual-Screen Case

LG hasn’t been rolling out completely new smartphones as often as it used to. Instead, it created tweaked versions of past devices with new features and hardware. It hasn’t been completely unsuccessful, but it’s not catching Samsung any time soon. LG’s latest US launch might actually move some units, though. The LG G8X ThinQ is launching on November 1st, and it’ll cost just $699.99. That includes the admittedly bizarre dual-screen case.

The G8X is a slightly tweaked version of the G8 that launched in early 2019. LG announced this phone at IFA several months ago, but it was unclear whether it would come to the US. It’s surprising that not only is the phone launching stateside, but the Dual Screen accessory is coming along for the ride. LG’s last Dual Screen phone, the V50 5G, didn’t have Dual Screen compatibility in the US.

The most notable change from the G8 to the G8X is that LG ditched the awful depth-sensing camera on the front that enabled gesture control that never worked right. The display notch has shrunken considerably as a result. The rear-facing fingerprint sensor is also gone, replaced by an in-display sensor. Inside, you’re still looking at a Snapdragon 855, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,000mAh battery. Even though it’s launching in November, it will come with Android 9 Pie out of the box.

The phone itself has a 6.4-inch 1080p OLED display. The Dual Screen case adds a second 6.4-inch 1080p OLED, as well as a 2.1-inch monochrome display on the outside. It plugs into the USB-C port on the LG G8X for power and data, allowing it to integrate with the system. It can show two different apps, or collaborate to make one app more useful by using one display just for a keyboard or gamepad controls.

The Dual Screen case is obviously not something many consumers would both buying separately, but LG is including the Dual Screen accessory for that $700 price. That’s for the unlocked version of the phone. Carriers will offer several deals and bundles for pre-orders that could drop the price of the phone and Dual Screen to as little as $300. That’s pretty impressive pricing if carriers actually come through. Even the $700 price tag isn’t bad.

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