The LG Velvet is a significant departure from LG’s previous flagships, and it’s clear that the company has been listening to its critics. This latest offering boasts a striking design, impressive camera capabilities, and a powerful performance that puts it in contention with the best of 2020.

Design

One of the standout features of the Velvet is its unique design language. Gone are the days of bulky bezels and awkward button placement; instead, LG has opted for a more streamlined approach. The phone’s rear panel is made from glass, which adds a touch of elegance to an otherwise minimalist design. The camera module on the back is also cleverly integrated into the frame, giving it a seamless look.

The Velvet measures 165.3 x 72.4 x 7.9mm and weighs in at 181g, making it relatively compact compared to other flagships. It’s available in three colors: Aurora White, Aurora Green, and Aurora Gray.

Display

The phone features a 6.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels (20.5:9 aspect ratio). While it may not be the highest-resolution screen out there, the Velvet’s display is still impressive, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks that make for an immersive viewing experience.

LG has also included support for HDR10+ content, as well as a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a silky-smooth experience when scrolling through menus or watching video.

Camera

The camera system on the Velvet is where LG has really pulled out all the stops. The phone boasts a quad-camera setup, comprising:

• A 48-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.7 aperture
• A 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture
• A 5-megapixel macro lens with f/2.4 aperture
• A 16-megapixel front-facing camera with f/1.9 aperture

The primary sensor can capture impressive shots in a variety of lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to low-light environments. The ultra-wide-angle lens is also handy for capturing more expansive scenes or group portraits.

Performance

Under the hood, the Velvet is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card). While it may not be the most powerful chip on the block, it still delivers smooth performance in everyday tasks like gaming, video playback, or multitasking.

Battery Life

The Velvet packs a respectable 4000mAh battery, which should easily last a full day with moderate usage. Charging is also relatively fast, thanks to support for Quick Charge 4+ and wireless charging.

Software

As an LG device, the Velvet runs on Android 10 out of the box, with LG’s proprietary UI layer on top. While some may find it cluttered or confusing at times, the interface does offer some useful features like a customizable notification shade and a built-in file manager.

Audio

The phone features dual speakers with support for Hi-Fi audio, which provides an immersive listening experience when watching video or streaming music.

Conclusion

The LG Velvet is a solid effort from the Korean manufacturer, offering a compelling combination of design, camera capabilities, and performance. While it may not be perfect – the software could use some refinement, and battery life could be better – the Velvet is definitely worth considering for those in search of an Android flagship with a unique twist.

Technical Specifications:

• Display: 6.8-inch OLED, 1080 x 2460 pixels (20.5:9 aspect ratio), HDR10+ support
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
• RAM: Up to 8GB
• Storage: Up to 256GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card)
• Camera:
  • Primary sensor: 48-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture
  • Ultra-wide-angle lens: 8-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture
  • Macro lens: 5-megapixel, f/2.4 aperture
  • Front-facing camera: 16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture
• Battery: 4000mAh (Quick Charge 4+, wireless charging)
• Software: Android 10 with LG UI layer
• Audio: Dual speakers with Hi-Fi audio support