LG Velvet launched: An LG G9 ThinQ replacement seemingly offering abysmal value for money

LG has finally killed off its G series lineup, and is replacing what would have been the G9 ThinQ with an entirely new phone. The LG Velvet is LG's latest attempt at getting the world's attention, but how effective a gambit it will be, remains to be seen.

The LG Velvet sports a 6.8-inch P-OLED display. It's a super-long phone, too, as it uses a 20.5:9 aspect ratio. Like LG's flagship V60, it's a FHD+ 60 Hz panel, which is rather disappointing. A fingerprint reader is baked into the display.

Under the hood is a Snapdragon 765, not a Snapdragon 765G like we've seen on most phones. The difference in performance is unlikely to be substantial either way. RAM clocks in at 8 GB, while storage sits at 128 GB of UFS 2.1-type. There's expandable storage, however, as is typical with LG phones.

The main camera is a 48 MP sensor—likely a Sony IMX586— with OIS. It's joined by an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, and a 5 MP depth sensor. Like the LG V60 ThinQ, there's no telephoto camera. The selfie camera is a 16 MP shooter housed within a waterdrop notch. 

Also like the V60 ThinQ, the LG Velvet supports stylus usage. It gets its power from a 4300 mAh battery. There's support for wireless charging, and an official IP68 rating. Interestingly, though, there's no mention of a Hi-Fi Quad DAC, even though the product page goes through the hassle of highlighting aptX support. We doubt LG has kept its revered Quad-DAC on the Velvet; it wouldn't be the first time either, as the LG G8S also missed it. Thankfully, LG still maintains an 810G rating for the Velvet.

The LG Velvet carries an MSP of 899,800 KRW($734.23), although word on the grapevine claims buyers may be eligible for a 50% rebate if it's returned after two years of usage. Hardly useful, we must say. 

The LG G8 was priced at 897,600 KRW and sold for US$750 when it came to the US. Don't expect any significant differences in US/Global prices;  the Velvet will likely also cost about US$750. At that price point, it's hard to recommend the LG Velvet. It doesn't seem to be better than considerably cheaper phones like the Pixel 4a or Sony Xperia 10 II. Potential buyers would also be much better served going with a last-gen flagship over this—assuming it's priced around US$700 as we expect.