The LG Velvet lineup offered a unique take on smartphone design, but two versions existed: the standard Velvet and the 5G UW variant. While visually similar, a key difference lies under the hood. This comparison dissects the chipset and feature variations to determine which Velvet delivers the best experience, especially considering the current market landscape and price points.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users in 2024, the LG Velvet 5G UW is the better choice. While the Snapdragon 845 in the standard Velvet offers peak CPU performance, the Snapdragon 765G in the 5G UW provides a more modern architecture, 5G connectivity, and faster charging, resulting in a smoother, more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| 5G bands | 260, 261 mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2Gbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 19. Released 2020, August 21 | 2020, July 28. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 167.1 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, LG UX | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 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 | 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0, QC4
9W wireless | 15W wired, QC3
9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Red | Black, Aurora Silver |
| Models | LM-G900V, LM-G900V | LMG910EMW, LM-G910EMW |
| Price | About 590 EUR | About 360 EUR |
LG Velvet 5G UW
- Faster 25W wired charging with modern standards (PD3.0, QC4)
- Integrated 5G modem for future-proof connectivity
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Potentially lower peak CPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 845
- May be slightly more expensive than the standard Velvet
LG Velvet
- Higher peak CPU clock speeds for burst performance
- Potentially lower price point due to its age
- Similar camera hardware to the 5G UW
- Slower 15W wired charging with older QC3 standard
- Lacks integrated 5G modem
- Less power-efficient Snapdragon 845 chipset
Display Comparison
Both Velvet models share a 6.8-inch OLED display, but detailed specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage aren't provided. However, the newer chipset in the 5G UW suggests potential for more efficient display power management. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device means display smoothness isn't a differentiating factor, focusing the experience on color accuracy and contrast, which are likely similar given the shared panel technology.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely share similar camera hardware configurations, focusing on image processing algorithms. The 5G UW’s more modern ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 765G could offer slightly improved noise reduction and dynamic range, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS or sensor sizes prevents a definitive judgment, but the chipset advantage leans slightly towards the 5G UW.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Velvet 5G UW utilizes the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with Kryo 475 cores. This represents a generational leap over the LG Velvet’s Snapdragon 845 (10nm). While the 845 boasts higher peak clock speeds (2.8GHz vs 2.4GHz), the 765G’s architecture and smaller node size offer improved power efficiency and integrated 5G modem capabilities. The 765G’s CPU configuration (1x2.4GHz Prime, 1x2.2GHz Gold, 6x1.8GHz Silver) is designed for sustained performance, while the 845’s (4x2.8GHz Gold, 4x1.8GHz Silver) prioritizes burst performance. This translates to potentially less thermal throttling during extended use on the 5G UW.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 9W wireless charging, but the wired charging speeds differ significantly. The 5G UW supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, while the standard Velvet is limited to 15W with QC3. This means the 5G UW can charge considerably faster, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 765G in the 5G UW should contribute to better overall battery life, even with similar capacity, due to its 7nm process.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Velvet 5G UW if you prioritize 5G connectivity, longer software support, and faster charging speeds. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset, while not the fastest, offers a balanced experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the LG Velvet if you find a significantly discounted unit and primarily need a phone for basic tasks, as the Snapdragon 845 still provides adequate power for less demanding applications, but be aware of its age and potential software limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the LG Velvet 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to adjust graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. While not a flagship gaming chip, it provides a playable experience, and its improved thermal management compared to the Snapdragon 845 should reduce throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the LG Velvet 5G UW actually useful in 2024, and will it work on all carriers?
5G availability has significantly expanded since the phone's release. The LG Velvet 5G UW supports sub-6GHz 5G, which is widely available. However, it does *not* support mmWave 5G. Compatibility will depend on your carrier and region; check with your provider to ensure support. Even without mmWave, the sub-6GHz 5G offers a noticeable speed improvement over 4G LTE in many areas.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 845 in the standard Velvet hold up against modern app demands and software updates?
The Snapdragon 845 is showing its age. While it can still handle most everyday tasks, you may experience slowdowns with newer, more demanding apps and games. Software updates are also a concern, as LG has largely ceased support for the Velvet series. This means you may miss out on critical security patches and new features.
