LG Velvet was launched just a few months ago, being a mid-range premium 5G smartphone variant of the South Korean manufacturer. However, it seems that LG also wants to offer a Velvet version equipped with 4G antennas and modem, which also seems to be significantly cheaper. Thus, it could become one of the cheapest Android phones equipped with both wireless charging and water and dust resistance to IP68 standard. The only downside? Outdated hardware.
LG Velvet 4G has a design identical to that of the 5G model
The new LG Velvet with 4G seems to be identical in design and capabilities to the original Velvet 5G model. It will not be able to connect to 5G networks, and its performance in terms of processing power and graphics processing should be comparable or even better on the 4G model. The reason is the use of a Snapdragon 845 chipset, the model that was found on top smartphones more than two years ago, since the beginning of 2018. By the way, I knew that LG is preparing this model for markets that do not yet have 5G, but we didn’t expect it to reach Europe so quickly.
Otherwise, the configuration is similar. We are dealing with a phone with 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a Full HD + 6.8 ”display with notch and a three-camera system on the back: 48 + 8 + 5 megapixels. Basically, you only have two “usable” cameras: wide and ultra-wide, the third being for portrait mode.
Specifications
Display: 6.8 ”, FHD +, OLED
Processor: Snapdragon 845 (octa-core, 2.8 GHz)
RAM: 6 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Camera: 48 MP f / 1.8 wide + 8 MP f / 2.2 ultra-wide + 5 MP f / 2.4 deep
Front camera: 16 MP f / 2.0
Card: yes, microSD
Battery: 4,300 mAh, fast charging 30 W, wireless charging 10W
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5
Dimensions: 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight: 180 g
Other: fingerprint display, 3.5 mm jack, stereo speakers
The price is significantly lower
On paper, the LG Velvet 4G seems to be a flagship from 2018, equipped with a more limited camera in capabilities, with a larger screen, but also with a significantly lower price. How small? Well, if the LG Velvet model equipped with Snapdragon 765, 5G modem and 5G antennas costs 650 euros, LG Velvet with Snapdragon 845 and 4G antennas costs only 499 euros. It is also compatible with 5G accessories, such as the Dual Screen secondary screen and styluses produced by Wacom.
Thus, we see exactly how expensive 5G technology is, which is mandatory for today’s mobile devices that want to use modern chipsets. The difference between a 4G phone with a high-end chip from two years ago and the same phone with 5G and mid-range chip today is 150 euros on the shelf. And this for only theoretical advantages, since, in practice, 5G coverage is not very widespread in the world