The Asus Nexus 7 has to make room for the LG G Pad X 8.0 as the world’s most unappreciated tablet. LG released the popular tablet in 2016 and found great success by bundling it with major phone carriers. As a 4G LTE tablet, it was one of the few devices on the market that could function with high-speed network data.
LG’s partnerships with major phone carriers was only part of the surprise when introducing the tablet. The LG G Pad X 8.0 would go on to set a lot of industry standards, including some hardware improvements that have yet to be matched. It was beast tier back in the day and is still formidable now.
Design
LG settled for the typical slate look that was popular back in the day. It is a normal black tablet that is indistinguishable from the hundreds that came before it. The textured back is a nice addition to an otherwise unimpressive design. Even something basic like the Acer Iconia Tab A500 does a better job of individualizing its design.
The full-size USB port on top is in the perfect position and sits right next to a 3.5 headphone jack. All of the ports are positioned so that they don’t conflict with one another. If you primarily use the LG G Pad X 8.0 in landscape mode, then this setup is made for consuming media.
Display
Having an IPS LCD is usually an annoyance when you’re used to what Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9 has to offer. The LG G Pad X 8.0 gets away with it by having a good 1200x1920p screen with a 283 ppi density. The screen to ratio hit is a bit low at 72.2 percent, but the overall 16:10 setup is nice.
Games, movies, and web browsing all look great on the screen. It is an eight-inch tablet, so works well with one hand. If it was two inches bigger, the screen would definitely show its lack of detail. LG made it big enough to be productive, but not to the point where it exceeded the hardware limits.
Durability
When the thin tablet movement came around, the LG G Pad X 8.0 was right in the middle of it. At 10.90oz, it’s heavy enough to withstand some impact but not so heavy as to force hand fatigue.
The USB port at the top is probably the main reason it isn’t paper thin. There is nothing special about the impact resistance of the screen, as it lacks any type of Gorilla Glass. Notable plastic usage is all around the device, but it never feels like a cheap tablet. A good screen protector and decent case are all you need to ensure years of usage.
Hardware
An octa-core is the LG G Pad X 8.0’s greatest strength. It isn’t particularly powerful but finds its strength with energy efficiency. With this CPU, the device can handle multitasking like a champ, eating into your battery. The tablet has no trouble handling files in photo editing apps like Snapseed.
The GPU is the weakest component of the hardware. Using an Adreno 405, the tablet is at its weakest when playing big games, but doesn’t suffer when displaying high-definition video. You won’t have any problem with leading streaming services that rely on HD formats.
Consumers that want to turn the LG G Pad X 8.0 into a gaming tablet will have to rely on video game streaming services like steam. The Adreno 405 is just too weak to handle local games that require anything above decent hardware. You can customize the settings so that it plays nice with emulators, but the tradeoff will cause a major battery drainage.
Camera
Both the front and rear cameras are an identical 5MP. This was weak during its debut and continues to be weak in modern times. Creating video leads to below-average results, but the picture-taking abilities are above average.
Panorama support is built in and functions better than expected. You can take some really good pictures after messing with the settings. LG did a good job with the software, and it is clear that’s the driving force behind the quality of created pictures.
Out of the box, microSDXC card support is included to help with storage. With the power of the CPU and the large screen, the LG G Pad X 8.0 makes for an excellent portable photo editing tool. Any quick edits you need to make to large photos are handled painlessly on its quick and easy-to-use interface.
Audio
The loudspeaker is fairly competent when used at mid to high volumes. There is a lack of bass, but nothing that would destroy the integrity of what you’re listening to. Bluetooth support is solid, and an included 3.5mm jack handles whatever wired device you throw at it.
As a bonus, the full-sized USB port on top of the device can be used to connect additional devices. It opens up an entire line of devices that were previously locked down to desktop and laptop users. With the right setup, you could fill an entire room with sound using a minimum amount of space.
How Does the LG G Pad X 8.0 Compare?
Asus and LG have created some of the most iconic tablets in the industry. Some of their best offerings have yet to be surpassed, and that is why it makes for a great comparison. The best modern tablets will always be the latest iPads, so there is no comparison there. But if you’re an Android user, the options are much more diverse and wallet-friendly.
| LG G Pad X 8.0 | Asus Google Nexus 7 (2013) | |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 320 |
| Weight | 10.9oz | 10.5oz |
| CPU | Octa-core | Quad-Core |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4800 mAh | Li-Ion 3950 mAh |
| Camera | Front 5/Rear 5MP | Front 1.2/Rear 5MP |
The LG G Pad X 8.0: Greatness at Its Peak
Unfortunately, the full-sized USB feature has become a rarity beyond the Surface series. Consumers that want the successor to the LG G Pad X 8.0 will have to jump over to the large assortment of Surface tablets and laptops. If the price is too steep, then there is no shame in settling down with an LG model. It is the original and still one of the best.
