LG Velvet 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 II: A Detailed Comparison for Power Users and Value Seekers

The LG Velvet 5G and Sony Xperia 5 II represent distinct approaches to the 5G smartphone market. The Velvet aimed for a more accessible price point with a focus on design, while the Xperia 5 II doubled down on a compact flagship experience with pro-level features. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and a smoother experience, the Sony Xperia 5 II is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset and larger battery endurance rating of 102h significantly outperform the LG Velvet 5G’s Snapdragon 765G and 79h rating, justifying its higher price for demanding users.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Velvet 5G Sony Xperia 5 II
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2GbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, May 07. Released 2020, May 152020, September 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), 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)158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)163 g (5.75 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLEDOLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
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 Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, LG UXAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
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, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0, QC4 9W wireless21W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora White, Aurora Green, Aurora Gray, Illusion Sunset, Red, PinkBlack, Grey, Blue, Pink
ModelsLM-G900N, LM-G900EM, LM-G900, LM-G900TMSO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02
PriceAbout 470 EURAbout 650 EUR
SAR0.23 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)-
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 695.00
RENEWED-£ 239.00
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 79h Endurance rating 102h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -23.5 LUFS (Very good) -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 297372 (v8) GeekBench: 1905 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 532655 (v8) GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Velvet 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Faster wired charging (25W)
  • Wireless charging support

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Lower battery endurance (79h)
  • Less refined camera system

Sony Xperia 5 II

  • Flagship Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Superior battery endurance (102h)
  • Compact and ergonomic design

  • Higher price tag ($695)
  • Slower wired charging (21W)
  • No wireless charging

Display Comparison

Both the LG Velvet 5G and Sony Xperia 5 II feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the LG Velvet 5G boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 617 nits compared to the Xperia 5 II’s 600 nits. While the difference is minimal, it could translate to marginally better visibility in direct sunlight. Neither display specifies refresh rates beyond standard 60Hz, a notable omission compared to some competitors. The Xperia 5 II’s 6.1-inch display is also smaller, contributing to its more compact form factor, which will appeal to users who prefer one-handed usability.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or megapixel counts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Sony’s history with camera technology suggests a more refined image processing pipeline on the Xperia 5 II, potentially resulting in more accurate colors and better dynamic range. The Xperia 5 II’s pro-level video features, a hallmark of Sony’s smartphones, are likely absent on the Velvet. The Velvet’s camera system is likely geared towards general-purpose photography, while the Xperia 5 II aims for enthusiast-level control and quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 5 II is powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a significant step up from the LG Velvet 5G’s Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) and its 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. The 865 offers substantially improved CPU and GPU performance, making the Xperia 5 II far more capable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While both phones utilize 5G connectivity, the 865’s modem offers potentially faster and more reliable speeds. The Xperia 5 II’s chipset also benefits from a more advanced 7nm+ manufacturing process, potentially leading to better thermal efficiency.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 5 II’s endurance rating of 102 hours significantly surpasses the LG Velvet 5G’s 79 hours. This difference is likely due to a combination of factors, including a more efficient chipset and optimized power management. While the Xperia 5 II’s 21W wired charging is slower than the Velvet’s 25W support, the 50% charge in 30 minutes claim is competitive. The Velvet also offers 9W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Xperia 5 II. However, the Xperia 5 II’s superior battery endurance mitigates the slower charging speed for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Velvet 5G if you prioritize a more affordable 5G experience and appreciate a unique, flowing design. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and media consumption. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 II if you demand flagship-level performance, a compact form factor, and features geared towards content creators – particularly those interested in photography and videography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the LG Velvet 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is a mid-range chipset and will likely require reduced graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. The Xperia 5 II’s Snapdragon 865 offers a significantly smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How does the Xperia 5 II’s 21W charging compare to other flagship phones with 65W or faster charging?
While 21W is slower than some competitors, the Xperia 5 II’s exceptional battery endurance means you won’t need to top it up as frequently. The 50% charge in 30 minutes claim is still reasonable, and the focus is on longevity rather than ultra-fast charging.
❓ Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens on either phone a significant drawback?
Without detailed camera specs, it's hard to say definitively. However, Sony's image processing algorithms often excel at digital zoom, potentially mitigating the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens on the Xperia 5 II. The Velvet's camera performance is less predictable without further information.