LG's 2020 lineup presented a fascinating dichotomy. The Velvet 5G UW offered a refined, mainstream experience, while the Wing 5G boldly experimented with a swiveling dual-screen form factor. Despite both utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, their target audiences and overall experiences diverge significantly. This comparison dissects these differences, helping you determine which LG represents the better value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the LG Velvet 5G UW emerges as the more practical choice. While the Wing’s innovative design is eye-catching, the Velvet’s more conventional form factor and potentially lower price (depending on current deals) make it a more sensible all-rounder. Both offer similar performance, but the Velvet’s simplicity wins out.
| 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 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 - USA |
| 5G bands | 260, 261 mmWave | 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 Sub6, mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2Gbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 19. Released 2020, August 21 | 2020, September 14. Released 2020, October 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 169.5 x 74.5 x 10.9 mm (6.67 x 2.93 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 260 g (9.17 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 | IP54, dust and water resistant
Water-repellent coating
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED | Rotating P-OLED |
| | - | Always-on display
Secondary display: G-OLED, 1080 x 1240 pixels, 3.9 inches |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/1.9, 117˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 32 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0, QC4
9W wireless | Wired, QC4
13W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Red | Aurora Gray, Illusion Sky |
| Models | LM-G900V, LM-G900V | LMF100N, LM-F100N, LM-F100V, LM-F100 |
| Price | About 590 EUR | About 850 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.9 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 315688 (v8)
GeekBench: 7898 (v4.4), 1952 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Velvet 5G UW
- Potentially lower price point
- More conventional and comfortable form factor
- PD3.0 wired charging support
- Lacks the innovative dual-screen experience
- Wireless charging is slower (9W)
LG Wing 5G
- Unique swiveling dual-screen design
- Faster wireless charging (13W)
- Excellent battery endurance (87h rating)
- Bulkier and less pocketable
- Dual-screen workflow has a learning curve
Display Comparison
Both phones share a similar reliance on OLED technology, but diverge in implementation. The LG Wing 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 586 nits, suggesting a vibrant viewing experience, though the Velvet’s panel specs are not provided. The Wing’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) is typical for OLED, delivering deep blacks. Crucially, the Wing’s secondary screen adds significant screen real estate, enabling unique multitasking scenarios unavailable on the Velvet. However, the Velvet’s single-screen approach may offer a more streamlined experience for users not needing the added complexity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. The absence of specifics suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera powerhouse. The Velvet’s more conventional design might lend itself to a more stable shooting experience, while the Wing’s swiveling form factor could potentially offer unique shooting angles, but this is speculative without further information. We can assume both will perform adequately in good lighting conditions.
Performance
Both the LG Velvet 5G UW and the LG Wing 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This means raw processing power will be virtually identical between the two. The absence of RAM specifications in the provided data makes it difficult to assess potential performance differences in multitasking. Thermal management will likely be similar, as both devices utilize the same chipset, but the Wing’s larger chassis *could* offer slightly better heat dissipation. The real-world performance difference will be minimal for typical tasks.
Battery Life
The LG Wing 5G claims an endurance rating of 87 hours, suggesting solid battery life. The Velvet’s battery performance is not specified. The Wing offers 13W wireless charging, slightly exceeding the Velvet’s 9W wireless charging capability. Both support QC4 wired charging, with the Velvet adding PD3.0 support. The Wing’s higher wireless charging speed will be beneficial for users who frequently utilize wireless charging, while the Velvet’s PD3.0 support offers potentially faster wired charging with compatible adapters. The 87-hour endurance rating of the Wing suggests a larger battery capacity, though the exact mAh is unknown.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Velvet 5G UW if you prioritize a comfortable, single-screen experience with reliable performance and a potentially lower price point. It’s ideal for everyday users who value simplicity and a familiar smartphone experience. Buy the LG Wing 5G if you’re a power user seeking a truly unique and versatile device, willing to adapt to the dual-screen workflow for enhanced multitasking and content creation, and are intrigued by its innovative design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Wing 5G’s swiveling mechanism durable? Will it break after extended use?
LG claimed the Wing’s hinge underwent rigorous testing, exceeding 200,000 swivels. However, long-term durability remains a concern for a novel mechanism like this. User reports suggest it’s generally robust, but careful handling is recommended to avoid potential issues.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range chipset, but it’s not a flagship performer. While it can run PUBG and Call of Duty, you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. Both phones will perform similarly in gaming due to the identical chipset.
❓ What are the practical benefits of using the dual-screen on the LG Wing 5G?
The Wing’s dual-screen allows for true multitasking – running two apps simultaneously without switching back and forth. It can also be used as a secondary display for content consumption, or as a gamepad while gaming on the main screen. The swiveling form factor also enables unique video recording perspectives.
❓ Is the LG Velvet 5G UW still receiving software updates?
LG has exited the smartphone market, so official software updates are unlikely. However, the Android community may provide custom ROMs and updates in the future. This is a risk to consider when purchasing either device.
