LG V50 ThinQ 5G vs. LG Velvet 5G: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and extended battery life, the LG V50 ThinQ 5G remains the superior choice, despite its age. However, the LG Velvet 5G offers a brighter, more modern display and faster charging, making it a compelling option for those valuing aesthetics and convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG V50 ThinQ 5G | LG Velvet 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 260, 261 NSA | 1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2Gbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, April 19 | 2020, May 07. Released 2020, May 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, HDR10 | P-OLED |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, LG UX |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 12 MP, 27mm (wide), f/1.5, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3-axis OIS 12 MP, 52mm (telephoto), f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, 16mm (ultrawide), f/1.9, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, no AF | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR10 video, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, 21mm (wide), f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi) | 25W wired, PD3.0, QC4 9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black | Aurora White, Aurora Green, Aurora Gray, Illusion Sunset, Red, Pink |
| Models | LM-V500, LM-V500N, LM-V500EM, LM-V500XM, LM-V450PM, LM-V450 | LM-G900N, LM-G900EM, LM-G900, LM-G900TM |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 96h | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 194000:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | -23.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 343758 (v7), 421934 (v8) GeekBench: 10928 (v4.4), 2672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 297372 (v8) GeekBench: 1905 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 855
- Longer battery life (96h endurance)
- Faster wireless charging (10W)
- Potentially better image processing due to higher processing power
- Dimmer display (533 nits)
- Slower wired charging (18W)
LG Velvet 5G
- Brighter display (617 nits)
- Faster wired charging (25W)
- More modern design
- Potentially more efficient chipset for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 765G)
- Shorter battery life (79h endurance)
Display Comparison
The LG Velvet 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 617 nits compared to the V50’s 533 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While the V50 has a nominal contrast ratio of 194000:1, the Velvet claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, likely due to its OLED panel (implied, as not specified). This suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. Both phones likely utilize similar LCD technology in the V50, but the Velvet’s panel is a clear upgrade for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The absence of specific details necessitates a focus on processing. The V50, being a flagship from its era, likely prioritizes detail retention and dynamic range in its image processing. The Velvet, with its more recent release, may lean towards more stylized images with boosted colors. Without detailed sensor specs, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the V50’s higher processing power could give it an edge in complex scenes. The lack of detail on the camera systems means we can't assess low-light performance or video stabilization capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The V50’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-tier processor with a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup peaking at 2.84 GHz – compared to the Velvet’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) which tops out at 2.4 GHz. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the V50. However, the 765G is still a capable performer, and its efficiency contributes to the Velvet’s slightly better battery life per charge. The V50’s Kryo 485 cores offer a performance advantage, particularly in sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G achieves an impressive 96-hour endurance rating, while the Velvet manages 79 hours. This difference is partially attributable to the V50’s more efficient chipset under heavy load. However, the Velvet compensates with faster charging: 25W wired (PD3.0, QC4) versus the V50’s 18W (PD2.0, QC3). The Velvet can reach 50% charge in approximately 36 minutes, while the V50 takes longer. The Velvet’s wireless charging is also slower at 9W compared to the V50’s 10W, but the faster wired charging is a more significant benefit for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG V50 ThinQ 5G if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing or extended gaming sessions, and if maximizing battery endurance is paramount. Buy the LG Velvet 5G if you prefer a more stylish and modern design, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and faster charging capabilities, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.