LG reveals new 5G Velvet smartphone in South Korea ahead of UK launch

The phone will have a three-camera array, stylus support, and an 6.8-inch OLED display. A UK announcement is expected in May

(Credit: LG)

Smartphone giant LG has announced its upcoming mid-range flagship, the Velvet, as it launches in South Korea.

The phone will feature a “raindrop” triple-camera array, where the lenses are ordered in descending size on the back of the phone, and has a 6.8-inch OLED display with a notch in the centre.

As documented in older posts from the technology giant, that main camera will be comprised of 48MP, 8MP, and 5MP cameras and the front-camera is rumoured to have a 16MP resolution.

Powering the phone will be the 5G-compatible Qualcomm’s 765 processor, found in competing devices from Oppo and Motorola, and Google’s Pixel 5.

Only one variety of the phone has been announced, with 8GB of processing power and 128GB of storage. Much like LG’s other phones, which have touted their onboard DACs (digital-to-analogue-converters) for better sound quality, the Velvet will have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The LG Velvet will measure 2.9 inches wide and 0.26 inches thick, which is only slightly larger than the 2020 iPhone SE from Apple, which is is 2.65 inches wide and 0.29 inches thick, but only has a 4.7-inch display.

The phone will also have IP68-level waterproof and dust-proofing, which means that it is “dust resistant“ and can be immersed in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Inside will be a 4,300mAh battery with fast-charging capabilities.

The LG Velvet will also support a stylus, and will be able to record ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) sound. These are usually quiet sounds – such as whispering, chewing or gentle tapping – which have proved calming for listeners and are incredibly popular on YouTube.

Although LG has only announced the phone in South Korea, it is expected that an English-language announcement will come later in May. This implies that the phone will come to the UK, the US, and Australia.

The phone in South Korea costs 899,800 Korean won, which is approximately £600. It will hit South Korean stores on 15 May. The Independent has reached out to LG for UK availability.