LG Velvet is coming to the US this week (Update: Verizon details)

Updated, August 18, 2020 (12:30 PM ET): We now have the LG Velvet price and release info as it pertains to Verizon. Big Red will be charging $100 more for the Velvet as compared to other carriers, but its variant will access both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G signals. It also has an exclusive colorway (Aurora Red) and a slightly different name: the LG Velvet 5G UW.

The LG Velvet price at Verizon will be $699 if paid in full or $29.17 per month for 24 months. You can drop that down to just $10 per month if you add a new line of service on a Premium Unlimited plan. If you are currently a Verizon subscriber, you can instead slash $350 off the list price by trading in your current phone. You must have a Premium Unlimited account for this and your trade-in device must be in “good working condition.” You can’t stack the trade-in promotion and the new line promotion.

The LG Velvet will be available at Verizon from August 21, this coming Friday.

Original article, July 21, 2020 (11:14 AM ET): The LG Velvet is about to launch in the US, although your choice of carrier will dictate when you can get it.

LG has announced that the Velvet 5G will be available through AT&T on July 22 for $599, or well below the $900 you’d pay for an up-to-the-minute flagship like the V60. However, you’ll have to wait to buy it through T-Mobile or Verizon (disclaimer: this author also writes for Verizon-owned Engadget), both of which will make the Velvet available later this summer. Verizon’s model will offer access to both ultra-wideband and low-band 5G.

LG Velvet price and other release details

The phone maker didn’t mention the availability of a carrier-independent model through its website but did say that US customers will get a range of colors including Aurora Grey, Aurora Silver, Aurora Red, and Pink White. Not all carriers will carry the same color options.

If you’re looking to purchase the Dual Screen accessory for the Velvet, that’ll be an extra $200.

The underlying hardware will be the same, at least. LG is focusing on the audiovisual experience with a 6.8-inch, 1080p P-OLED screen and stereo speakers with a sound-enriching 3D Sound Engine. It’s in other areas where LG trims costs. The Velvet is using an upper mid-range Snapdragon 765G chip with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. The 4,300mAh battery is average for the size. You’ll also find a 48MP primary rear camera, an 8MP wide-angle cam, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 16MP front shooter for selfies.

See also: LG Velvet review: Style points

We found that the phone wasn’t as responsive as high-end phones and had merely adequate camera quality. However, the outstanding display, strong audio quality, and eye-catching design made up for those shortcomings. And at $599, you’re getting quite a lot from a mainstream, 5G-capable smartphone. With that said, the base OnePlus 8 offers faster performance and improved battery life for $100 more — it’s worth considering if your budget has a little more room. You also might want to consider the OnePlus Nord, which undercuts the Velvet, though isn’t readily available in the US.