LG Velvet 5G UW vs. LG V50 ThinQ 5G: A Detailed Showdown

LG's smartphone journey has been a mix of innovation and eventual departure. Two notable contenders in their 5G lineup are the LG Velvet 5G UW and the LG V50 ThinQ 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity, but cater to slightly different priorities. This comparison dives deep to help you determine which phone is the right fit for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The LG V50 ThinQ 5G generally edges out the Velvet 5G UW thanks to its superior Snapdragon 855 chipset, brighter display, and faster charging. However, the Velvet might appeal to those seeking a more modern design and potentially a slightly lower price point, assuming availability.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Velvet 5G UW LG V50 ThinQ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands260, 261 mmWave41, 260, 261 NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2GbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/75 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, August 19. Released 2020, August 212019, February 24. Released 2019, April 19
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)159.2 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-183 g (6.46 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~538 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLEDP-OLED, HDR10
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, LG UXAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 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 lens12 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR10 video, 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
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio recording Tuned with Meridian Audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0, QC4 9W wireless18W wired, PD2.0, QC3, 50% in 36 min 10W wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAurora RedNew Aurora Black
ModelsLM-G900V, LM-G900VLM-V500, LM-V500N, LM-V500EM, LM-V500XM, LM-V450PM, LM-V450
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 550 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 194000:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 343758 (v7), 421934 (v8) GeekBench: 10928 (v4.4), 2672 (v5.1) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Velvet 5G UW

  • Modern design
  • 5G connectivity
  • Potentially lower price (depending on availability)
  • PD3.0 fast charging

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Likely dimmer display
  • Camera not as impressive as V50
  • Wireless charging slower

LG V50 ThinQ 5G

  • Superior performance (Snapdragon 855)
  • Brighter and higher contrast display
  • Excellent camera quality
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Faster wired charging

  • Older design
  • May be harder to find in good condition
  • Wireless charging slower

Display Comparison

The LG V50 ThinQ 5G boasts a significantly brighter display (533 nits vs. Velvet's likely lower brightness, estimated around 400-450 nits) and an incredibly high contrast ratio (194000:1), resulting in a more vivid and immersive viewing experience. While both feature OLED panels, the V50's display is noticeably superior. The Velvet likely has a slightly more modern aspect ratio, but the V50's quality is hard to beat.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the V50 ThinQ 5G likely holds an advantage due to its more advanced image processing capabilities associated with the Snapdragon 855. While specific camera specs aren't detailed, the V50's reputation for excellent photo and video quality suggests it's the better choice for photography enthusiasts. The Velvet's camera is still good, but not exceptional.

Performance

Here, the LG V50 ThinQ 5G takes a commanding lead. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Snapdragon 765G in the Velvet. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games on the V50. The Velvet is still capable, but the V50 offers a premium experience.

Battery Life

The LG V50 ThinQ 5G is advertised with an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. While the Velvet's battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000mAh), the V50's more efficient chipset contributes to its longer runtime. The V50 also charges faster with PD2.0 and QC3 support, while the Velvet uses PD3.0 and QC4.

Buying Guide

The LG Velvet 5G UW is best suited for users prioritizing a sleek design and 5G connectivity on a budget. The LG V50 ThinQ 5G is ideal for power users who demand top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and a robust camera system, especially if they can find one in good condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the LG Velvet 5G UW still worth buying?
It can be a decent option if you're on a budget and prioritize a modern design and 5G connectivity. However, be aware of its limitations compared to higher-end phones.
❓ Where can I find an LG V50 ThinQ 5G?
Due to its age, finding a V50 ThinQ 5G in good condition may require searching on online marketplaces like eBay or Swappa. Ensure the seller is reputable and the phone is in working order.