New cheaper LG Velvet could be a strong OnePlus Z rival

New cheaper LG Velvet could be a potent OnePlus Z rival

(Image credit: LG)

A 4G version of the LG Velvet will apparently price xx% less than its 5G stablemates, and will likewise come in a trio of new colors and sport a Snapdragon 845 chip.

Sources familiar with what LG has planned for its mid-range smartphone with an centre-catching pattern confirmed to Android Authority that a non-5G version of the phone will be available and information technology will utilise a Qualcomm flagship fleck from 2018. Then if you're not fussed almost 5G and still want a telephone that comes with plenty of ability, this LG Velvet could be worth considering.

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Every bit these are only comments fabricated by sources rather than official LG information, at that place'southward a skilful adventure that 4G versions of the LG Velvet might vary from market to market, meaning some handsets could come with a different chipset than the Snapdragon 845.

The 5G version of the LG Velvet looks likely to come up with a Snapdragon 765, which is a less powerful take on the flagship Snapdragon 865 institute in the likes of the US version of the Galaxy S20 Ultra and the Lenovo Legion gaming phone. But the Snapdragon 765 yet promises plenty of power for pretty much all smartphone tasks.

So there'south a skillful run a risk that 4G LG Velvet phones could use that chipset in some regions, but just non have 5G connectivity. That being said, using an older flagship Qualcomm chipset might enable LG to ensure that a non-5G Velvet is still pretty powerful only is also a good bit cheaper than its 5G siblings.

Pricing for the 5G LG Velvet looks set to price roughly $730, which is far from cheap. But as flagship phones similar the Samsung Galaxy S20 start at the $1,000 mark, the Velvet is considerably cheaper. Knocking 20% off that would bring the price of the LG Velvet 4G down to around $580, which would brand it a worthy rival to the rumored OnePlus Z — or should we say the OnePlus Nord.

And from what nosotros know well-nigh the LG Velvet so far, for the coin you lot're set to get a half-dozen.eight-inch OLED display, a triple rear-camera array (comprising a 48MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, and 5MP depth sensor cameras), and a 4,300 mAh battery.

The OnePlus Z is rumored to feature a Snapdragon 765 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a vi.4-inch 90Hz brandish and 4,300-mAh battery with thirty-watt Warp Charging. So on paper the OnePlus Z/Nord seems better, especially if it will have 5G inside, but the LG Velvet 4G should we worth a await for those who prioritize style.

However, in that location's an argument that the 4G Velvet might struggle to find its feet every bit not simply are in that location plenty of decent mid-range phones, there'due south potential for two cheaper phones to torpedo the LG Velvet, and indeed other mid-range phones.

The iPhone SE 2020 might have a dated blueprint, simply it comes with a powerful A13 Bionic chip, wireless charging and thoroughly decent camera performance for $400. And the Pixel 4a, slated to arrive in July, is shaping upwardly to offer a neat design with a near bezel-less brandish, a decent specification, and more chiefly, the potential to evangelize stunning smartphone photography in a handset that'southward below $400.

Where a more affordable version of the LG Velvet might tip the scales in its favor is in its looks, equally the images we've seen and then far present an attractive handset with a neat rear-camera design and edge-to-edge display. And with the phone set to come in an additional three colors - Aurora Blue, Aurora Pinkish and Aurora Cerise - the 4G LG Velvet could entreatment to people more interested in phone aesthetics than raw performance.

Slated for a Western release this month, nosotros'll just take to wait and meet if both the 4G and 5G versions of the LG Velvet tin make stand their ground in the best Android phones arena.

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom's Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He oftentimes writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other $.25 of hardware; he's also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk-bound Roland can be constitute wandering around London, oft with a look of curiosity on his face.