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- This article has been updated to reflect the current retail situation.
We're deep into summer and almost due for a couple of new phones from Samsung and Apple. Perfect time, then, for LG to finally bring around its new Velvet smartphone from overseas to the U.S. market. It came to AT&T late in July and is eventually going to make it to T-Mobile, but we now know exactly when Verizon will bring it to customers.
In making the jump stateside, the 5G device loses out on a spec line — American units get 6GB of RAM to South Korea's 8GB — in trading for a lower price tag. All the rest of the sheet, however, stays more or less the same for an all-around decent package which you can learn more about in our story here.
SPECS
Display |
6.8" P-OLED 1080 x 2460 (20.5:9) |
SoC |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
RAM |
6GB |
Storage |
128GB UFS 2.1 + microSD up to 2TB |
Rear cameras |
48MP f/1.8 main + 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide + 5MP f/2.4 depth |
Front camera |
16MP f/1.9 fixed focus |
Battery |
4,300mAh (supports Qi wireless charging) |
Build |
IP68, MIL-STD810G |
Connectivity |
5G (network-dependent), Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, Wacom stylus, headphone jack |
Software |
Android 10 |
Dimensions |
167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9mm / 180g |
As mentioned above, AT&T had first dibs on the phone with online sales beginning on July 22, followed by local retail stockings starting August 7. The carrier is selling the Velvet for half off its retail price of $600 for customers who sign up for a 30-month installment plan.
Verizon will have the Velvet in an exclusive Aurora Red finish and be able to access the network's Ultra Wideband and (future) low-band frequencies for 5G. It'll cost subscribers $700 full retail for those privileges, though.
They can pay $240 instead if they purchase a phone online on a 24-month installment plan and plop down a new line of service with any of the Above, Beyond, Do, Play, or Get Unlimited plans. The carrier is also honoring $350 guaranteed trade-ins, credited over 24 months, for eligible devices (of which we do not know of yet because the product page is not live yet) in good condition.
Details about what T-Mobile will do with the Velvet will come closer to its launch.
UPDATE: 2020/08/18 9:54am PDT BY JULES WANG
This article has been updated to reflect the current retail situation.
Source: PR Newswire, AT&T, Verizon