With the 5G-enabled LG Velvet, the South Korean phone-maker is making an attempt one thing new. The Velvet would not belong to any of the corporate’s established traces, just like the G- and V- sequence. It seems totally different than most LG telephones and at an anticipated value of $600 to $700 for the US, it is extra inexpensive than LG’s G8 and V60. International costs aren’t out there nevertheless it’s about £600 or AU$1,100, transformed from South Korean received.
LikeGlossy designHeadphone jackGood battery life to this point
Don’t LikeNo new standalone software program optionsFingerprint reader is finicky
The Velvet is LG’s sign that it is heading in the direction of one other, extra inexpensive however considerate path. But the corporate ought to go even additional. After spending time with the Velvet, I’d nonetheless want one thing just like the OnePlus 8 ($699 at OnePlus). While it would not have a headphone jack or work with a secondary display accent just like the Velvet, it does have an awesome digicam, a silky-smooth display with the next refresh fee and a extra highly effective processor. The Velvet is out there in South Korea, however as a result of there isn’t any official US value but, I am unable to give this cellphone a completely rated evaluation. (Once there’s one although, I’ll replace this piece with ultimate subratings. Note that this implies the general score could change from what you at the moment see.) But even when it is anticipated to be cheaper than its top-tier G8 and V60 brethren, the Velvet now faces an entire new set of opponents, together with the aforementioned OnePlus 8, the Galaxy A71 5G and the Motorola Edge — all of which ship nice specs and 5G inside the similar value. Though the Velvet is not a completely new radical path for LG, it is actually a diverging path. The firm ought to proceed with the Velvet, or one thing related, whereas outpacing rivals in the identical value bracket.
LG Velvet: The finest wanting LG cellphone we have seen shortly
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LG’s best-looking cellphone The Velvet seems in contrast to any premium US LG cellphone earlier than it and it is the best-looking LG cellphone I’ve dealt with shortly. Compared with the V60, for example, the Velvet has tapered edges, sharper corners and a rear digicam array that runs vertically, not horizontally. The left and proper edges of the display fall off to the perimeters, which supplies it a extra stylish look, and although it is about as tall because the V60, it is narrower, slimmer and lighter — and finally extra comfy to carry. If this introduces a brand new design language for LG telephones, I’m for it. But I’ve just a few design gripes. For occasion, I do not like how the corners of the display do not run all the way in which to the sides. Unlike the Galaxy S20, the place the bezels and body are constant and skinny throughout, I can see the silver framing on the corners of my white Velvet unit. The middle teardrop notch can stand to be smaller too. Given how stale LG telephones have regarded for a bit, this can be a refreshing change. The Velvet seems extra trendy, it is glossy and I like that the rear cameras aren’t housed collectively by some single round bump. And to substantiate, the Velvet does have a headphone jack. LG’s dedication to the beloved audio port is what makes its premium telephones stand out, which is nice information to wired headphone customers.
The cellphone has a 6.8-inch OLED show.
Angela Lang/CNET
Velvet’s Dual Screen accent The Velvet has a pointy and vibrant 6.8-inch OLED display. It additionally has a 60Hz show, which is widespread on most telephones, however that is a decrease refresh fee than opponents such because the OnePlus 8, which has a 90Hz show. Like the V60 and different LG telephones, the Velvet works with a Dual Screen accent that provides a second display. With the second display you possibly can multitask and show two apps on the similar time, or broaden sure apps throughout each screens so that they work collectively like a pill. (Though you will should take care of a hinge that cuts down the center.) You can even arrange one display as a digital controller for cell gaming, which is suitable with some video games. Though LG did not create a stylus particularly for the Velvet, I used to be ready to make use of one with the cellphone. I used Wacom’s Bamboo Ink Smart Stylus and regardless of it being made for Windows 10 ($140 at Amazon) units, it labored nice with the Velvet. By clicking on its built-in button I may rapidly name up LG’s QMemo Plus app to jot down notes, seize GIFs and, if I’m actually bored, shade in some preloaded drawings. With US pricing for the Velvet nonetheless unknown, pricing with its Dual Screen is even additional up within the air. With earlier LG telephones, some carriers bundled the case with the cellphone, bought it individually or provided it at a reduction. Each community could have its personal strategies, so as soon as the Velvet is official within the US, preserve your eyes peeled on the assorted offers and their inevitable restrictions. The Velvet inside its Dual Screen accent.
Angela Lang/CNET
LG Velvet’s triple-rear digicam takes nice footage Under vibrant, clear lighting the Velvet’s digicam took sharp footage that have been colourful and in focus. With its 8-megapixel wide-angle digicam, which I accessed by pinching out on the display’s viewfinder, I used to be capable of match extra content material inside every body. Keep in thoughts that footage taken with the wide-angle digicam aren’t as sharp as pictures captured on the usual digicam, which shoots at a 12-megapixel decision by default, however can go as excessive as 48 megapixels. The digicam has a digital zoom as much as 10x. At this stage, footage have been loads blurrier and muddled. Some of the zoomed-in photographs I took have been paying homage to watercolors or Impressionist work. If you propose on utilizing the zoom to get extra particulars of faraway objects, you will not obtain it with this cellphone. Since it was Fourth of July weekend lately, I additionally took just a few photographs at night time whereas lighting some sparklers. This is a notoriously troublesome lighting state of affairs and whereas the photographs got here out clear sufficient, they have been a bit washed-out and weren’t as vibrant or as deeply contrasted as those I took on, say, the Pixel 3 ($469 at Amazon) in 2018. Photos taken with the front-facing digicam have been clear, with correct skin-tone and colours. Recording video was additionally strong. Though it would not have optical picture stabilization, the footage I recorded whereas standing in a single place was nice. The digicam was capable of readjust its focus and publicity rapidly and it picked up audio clearly. Taken in outside lighting, this flower is vibrant and sharp.
Lynn La/CNET
A photograph of a salvage store taken with the usual lens.
Lynn La/CNET
The similar salvage store taken with the wide-angle lens. At full decision, the image is not as sharp because the earlier one.
Lynn La/CNET
A marina view taken with out zoom.
Lynn La/CNET
The similar boats at 10x digital zoom.
Lynn La/CNET
Though not very sharp, the digicam managed to seize this troublesome lighting scene effectively sufficient.
Lynn La/CNET
LG Velvet’s efficiency is quick, however not as quick as flagship telephones The Velvet is powered by a variant of the Snapdragon 765 chipset that permits 5G connectivity. It’s not as sturdy as Qualcomm’s newest 865 processor, nevertheless it’s what retains the cellphone’s value comparatively decrease than different flagships. The Motorola Edge and the ZTE Axon 11 5G additionally characteristic the 765 chipset, they usually too each have a premium look however aren’t as highly effective and costly as different marquee telephones. Benchmark scores replicate this kind of middle-of-the-pack place. Phones with the 865 processor, just like the LG V60 and OnePlus 8, scored greater marks than the Velvet, however the Velvet comfortably beat out the Moto G Stylus ($270 at Amazon) and G Power, which have the 665 chipset. When it involves day by day utilization although, I did not discover a lot lag or any notable “lack” of velocity on the Velvet when evaluating it to the V60 besides in a single factor: the fingerprint reader. It appeared to take a hair longer to unlock the Velvet utilizing the scanner than what I recalled on the LG V60. It additionally took one or two extra makes an attempt than it ought to should learn my thumbprint precisely, to some extent the place it was getting a bit irritating. Other than that, nevertheless, the Velvet opened apps, launched the digicam and scrolled by internet pages with ease. 3DMark Slingshot Unlimited
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench v.5.0 single-core
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench v.5.0 multicore
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Preliminary exams for steady video playback on Airplane mode, confirmed that the Velvet’s 4,300-mAh battery lasted 22 hours and 38 minutes. This is a sturdy battery life. For comparability, the OnePlus 8, which additionally has a 4,300-mAh battery clocked in 18 hours and 47 minutes. The Galaxy A51 ($400 at Amazon), with its 4,000-mAh battery, lasted 16 hours and 10 minutes. We’re going to run extra battery exams whereas streaming video. When the outcomes are in, I’ll replace this evaluation and its ultimate score. LG Velvet spec comparability
LG Velvet
OnePlus 8
Motorola Edge
Motorola Moto G Power
Display measurement, decision
6.8-inch OLED; 2,460×1,080 pixels
6.55-inch AMOLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels
6.7-inch OLED; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels
6.4-inch LCD; 2,300×1,080 pixels
Pixel density
395ppi
402ppi
385ppi
399ppi
Dimensions (Inches)
6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in
6.3 x 2.8 x 0.31 in
6.36 x 2.8 x 0.37 in
6.29 x 2.98 x 0.38 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)
167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm
160 x 72.9 x 8.0 mm
161.6 x 71.1 x 9.29 mm
159.85 x 75.8 x 9.63 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
6.35 oz; 180g
6.35 oz; 180g
6.63 oz; 188g
7.01 oz; 199g
Mobile software program
Android 10
Android 10
Android 10
Android 10
Camera
48-megapixel (commonplace), 8-megapixel (wide-angle), 5-megapixel (depth sensing)
48-megapixel (commonplace), 16-megapixel (ultra-wide), 2-megapixel (macro)
64-megapixel (commonplace), 8-megapixel (telephotos), 16-megapixel (macro/ultrawide-angle)
16-megapixel (wide-angle), 2-megapixel (macro), 8-megapixel (ultra-wide angle)
Front-facing digicam
16-megapixel
16-megapixel
25-megapixel
16-megapixel
Video seize
4K
4K
4K
4K
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765
Snapdragon 665
Storage
128GB
128GB, 256GB
128GB
64GB
RAM
6GB, 8GB
8GB, 12GB
10GB
4GB
Expandable storage
Up to 2TB
No
Up to 1TB
Up to 512GB
Battery
4,300mAh
4,300mAh
4,500mAh
5,000mAh
Fingerprint sensor
In-screen
In-screen
In-screen
Back
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Special options
5G enabled; water-proof (IP68); wi-fi charging, Fast Charging 4.0
5G enabled; Warp Charge; 90Hz refresh fee
5G enabled. 90Hz refresh fee, 18W Turbo Charging
N/A
Price off-contract (USD)
Expected to be $600-$700
$699 (8GB RAM/128GB), $799 (12GB RAM/256GB)
$699
$250
Price (GBP)
From South Korean received converts to about £596
£599 (8GB RAM/128GB), £699 (12GB RAM/256GB)
£549
Converts to about £199
Price (AUD)
From South Korean received converts to about AU$1,077
Converts to about: AU$1,103 (8GB RAM/128GB), AU$1,261 (12GB RAM/256GB)
Converts to about AU$1,007
Converts to about AU$365