LG Velvet vs Sony Xperia 5 III: A Detailed Comparison of Two Android Flagships

The LG Velvet, released in 2020, represented a shift in LG’s design language, while the Sony Xperia 5 III, launched in 2021, doubled down on Sony’s compact flagship philosophy. This comparison examines how these two devices stack up, particularly focusing on the generational leap in processing power and the implications for the user experience. We'll analyze if the Xperia 5 III's newer chipset justifies its likely higher price point compared to the now-discounted Velvet.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Sony Xperia 5 III is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888 5G chipset delivers significantly faster performance and improved efficiency compared to the LG Velvet’s Snapdragon 845. While both phones boast a 100-hour endurance rating, the Xperia 5 III’s faster charging and more modern features make it the better long-term investment.

PHONES
Phone Names	LG Velvet	Sony Xperia 5 III

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia

Launch
Announced	2020, July 28. Released 2020, July 31	2021, April 14
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2021, October 08

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions	167.1 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)	157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	180 g (6.35 oz)	168 g (5.93 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	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size	6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	P-OLED	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 630	Adreno 660
OS	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

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 3.X

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single	-	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
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	12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	FM radio	No
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
	-	Native Sony Alpha camera support

Battery
Charging	15W wired, QC3 9W wireless	Wired, PD, 50% in 30 min
Type	Li-Po 4300 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Aurora Silver	Black, Green, Pink
Models	LMG910EMW, LM-G910EMW	XQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53B
Price	About 360 EUR	€ 431.90 / £ 199.99

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 100h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Velvet

More affordable price point (now)
Unique and flowing design aesthetic
Wireless charging support

Significantly slower processor
Less efficient chipset leading to potential throttling
Likely inferior camera performance

Sony Xperia 5 III

Much faster Snapdragon 888 5G processor
Faster charging with Power Delivery (PD)
Compact form factor ideal for one-handed use

Higher initial purchase price
May lack the unique design appeal of the Velvet
No wireless charging

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 5 III features a 590 nit max brightness display, offering a noticeably brighter viewing experience than what the LG Velvet likely achieves (brightness data unavailable for Velvet). While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Xperia 5 III’s smaller 6.1-inch screen size contributes to a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image. The Xperia 5 III’s display is optimized for content consumption, while the Velvet’s display, though likely good, lacks the brightness and pixel density for optimal outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Xperia 5 III likely has a more advanced camera system. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Sony’s expertise in camera technology suggests superior image processing and potentially larger sensor sizes in the Xperia 5 III. The Xperia 5 III benefits from Sony’s Real-time Tracking and Eye AF, features absent on the Velvet. The Velvet’s camera system, while capable, is likely limited by the older image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 845. The Xperia 5 III’s video recording capabilities are likely more robust, offering features like 4K HDR recording and cinematic video modes.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 5 III’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the LG Velvet’s Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, coupled with its more efficient 5nm process, delivers significantly faster CPU and GPU performance. The Velvet’s octa-core CPU (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) is outmatched by the Xperia 5 III’s (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Xperia 5 III. The 5nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Both phones share a 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Xperia 5 III’s faster charging capabilities (50% in 30 minutes with PD) provide a significant convenience advantage over the LG Velvet’s 15W wired charging with QC3 and 9W wireless charging. While the Velvet’s wireless charging is a plus, the Xperia 5 III’s faster wired charging minimizes downtime. The Snapdragon 888’s improved efficiency also contributes to better battery life during demanding tasks.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Velvet if you prioritize a lower price point and a unique, flowing design, and your primary use case doesn't demand intensive gaming or demanding applications. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 III if you value raw performance, a more compact form factor for one-handed use, and features geared towards content creators, such as advanced video recording capabilities. The Xperia 5 III is the clear choice for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 845 in the LG Velvet struggle with modern games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?

Yes, the Snapdragon 845 is likely to struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, even at medium settings. You'll likely experience noticeable frame drops and potential overheating. The Xperia 5 III’s Snapdragon 888 is far better equipped to handle these titles smoothly.

❓ Is the 9W wireless charging on the LG Velvet practical for daily use?

9W wireless charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards. While convenient, it will take significantly longer to fully charge the device wirelessly than with the Xperia 5 III’s fast wired charging. It's best suited for overnight charging or topping up the battery when a quick charge isn't necessary.

❓ How does the Xperia 5 III's thermal management compare to the LG Velvet during extended gaming sessions?

The Xperia 5 III’s Snapdragon 888, built on a 5nm process, is more thermally efficient than the Velvet’s Snapdragon 845 (10nm). This means the Xperia 5 III is less likely to experience significant performance throttling during prolonged gaming sessions, maintaining higher frame rates for longer.

❓ Given the price difference, is the Xperia 5 III worth the extra cost for someone who primarily uses their phone for social media and casual browsing?

For basic usage, the LG Velvet is sufficient. However, the Xperia 5 III’s faster processor and smoother performance will provide a noticeably better user experience, even for everyday tasks. If you plan to keep the phone for several years, the Xperia 5 III’s longevity and future-proofing make it a worthwhile investment.