LG’s Velvet 5G smartphone is now officially available in SA, marking the South Korean electronics company’s third device to connect to the next-generation network.
The launch of the LG Velvet comes amid increased 5G activity in SA, with mobile operators Vodacom and MTN having lit up their 5G networks using the emergency spectrum temporarily issued by the Independent Communications Authority of SA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smartphone manufacturers are also rolling out 5G-enabled phones both on the global and local front, with Samsung and Huawei also introducing 5G smartphones in the South African market.
In May, LG launched the V60 ThinQ, which was its second 5G-enbled foldable device to be available in the country. It succeeded LG’s other 5G phone, the V50 ThinQ, which has been available locally since February.
Featuring a new raindrop camera design, LG describes its latest 5G smartphone as the “new era of elegance”. It also features a 6.8-inch P-OLED cinematic full vision display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G.
“Powered by the Snapdragon 765G, the LG Velvet is equipped to deliver exceptional performance to meet even the most demanding 5G use cases, while also enabling intelligent multi-camera capture, high-speed gaming and all-day battery life,” says Alex Katouzian, senior VP and GM of mobile business unit at Qualcomm Technologies. “We’re excited to continue working with LG to help deliver 5G to more consumers with this truly global device.”
The Velvet has a 48MP main camera, other high-quality lenses and what LG claims is “unique camera software”. Timelapse control lets users adjust exactly how fast they want their videos to look, while ASMR recording employs the two high-sensitivity microphones to capture the faintest of sounds.
“We think today’s smartphone customers want and deserve more than cookie-cutter designs and tried-and-true features,” explains Johan Chung, executive VP of overseas sales and marketing at LG. “In LG Velvet, we’ve created a differentiated smartphone with a design that can’t be confused for anything else and features with unique propositions that provide considerable value.
“We’re confident in the message LG Velvet communicates and believe there are customers out there who agree it’s time for a change in the way smartphones are developed and marketed.”
The LG Velvet is available in illusion sunset, aurora green, aurora white and aurora grey, with more colours such as aurora silver, new black and others coming soon.
It will be sold at selected Vodacom and MTN stores, selling at the recommended retail price of R13 499.
Other LG Velvet 5G specifications:
- 6.8-inch cinematic full vision 3D arc display
- Triple rain drop camera (48MP main, wide and depth)
- LG 3D sound engine, ASMR record
- LG creator's kit, 3D photo tilt
- Steady camera
- IP68, MIL-STD-810G durability
- 4 300mAh battery
- Android 10 operating system
- Size: 167.1 x 74.1 x 7.9mm
- Weight: 180g
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