LG’s new design language works very well here and this looks a lot better than LG’s last few efforts. There’s a lot to like with the camera array, specs and feature list too, even if the software lacks polish.

Much-improved design; Big, bright and colourful screen; Novel Dual Screen case; Headphone jack; 5G support;

60Hz panel feels dated compared to the competition; Some odd performance issues; Cameras are nothing special;

With the 5G-enabled LG Velvet, the South Korean phone-maker is trying something new. The Velvet doesn't belong to any of the company's established lines, like the G- and V- series. It looks different than most LG phones and at $600 in the US, it's more affordable than LG's G8 and V60. (We still don't know if it's coming to the UK and Australia, but the US price converts to about £460 or AU$830.)

Available on AT&T and now Verizon, the Velvet is LG's best-looking phone in a while. But LG didn't go far enough.

Sleek design; Headphone jack; Good battery life so far;

No new standalone software features; Fingerprint reader is finicky;

LG’s Velvet tries to reinvent the brand and carve out a new niche for itself among a rapidly changing mid-tier. It’s a phone that feels more expensive than it is and while it doesn’t fully realise the lofty ambitions listed above, it succeeds in selling you on the idea that there’s room for another kind of smartphone out there.

While the middling camera and bloated software don’t do it many favors, the LG Velvet is still a decent option.

Water resistance & wireless charging; No camera bump;

Bloat-y software; Camera doesn't quite cut it;

I was extremely happy to get shot twice in my driveway and the phone deflected it. Now that the company is selling out *ahem* my glass is cracked on both sides because Im a slippery bastard? Also, I was extremely happy to not receive the ear pieces or cover. And why is the hotel booking app default? Yikes. Or should I say, croikey!!! I am hella tech illit

I updated to the LG Velvet from an iPhone 6s. I am very impressed with the LG. It does all I want it to do and does it well. It has great stereo sound for videos and a camera that is very good too. Getting familiar with a new operating system takes a bit of time. The only negative is it is rather slippery to hold as it has a gorilla glass back cover. Accessories are a bit hard to find locally, but I can buy a case online that will solve the slipperiness problem. I'm very happy with this phone, and highly recommend considering it if you need a new one.

Gesture technology works great, brilliant camera, huge screen and amazong video quality, would have to be the best quality all round phone on the market and the proce is not childish.

Very good built quality.Premium looks.

What an amazing phone.that has been by far the easiest to operate and use.. The phone looks sleek and expensive. The salesperson was very helpful with explaining this phones functions. . I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the LG Velvet 5G phone and it's price.

Once the reliable third-place smartphone company in the US, LG has struggled to find its feet in recent years. The company hasn't gotten much credit for the innovations it's brought in, like wide-angle cameras and high-quality audio, and it's received a lot of side-eye for oddball features like a veer into modularity with the LG G5 and, more recently, its dual-screen case strategy. The midrange LG Velvet for AT&T is something of a return to basics, offering 5G for a relatively affordable $599.99, as well as a move to a far more liquid look—wide, flat, tapered, and shimmery. But once again, LG finds its list prices a bit undercut by competing phones. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G costs $499, and the Google Pixel 4a is $349. The value equation changes with carriers' constant promotions, so it's worth taking a close look before buying.Design and Display As promised, the Velvet is a new design language for LG. It's bigger, more tapered, and it feels more modern than the G series, with its...

The LG Velvet is an elegant midrange 5G phone that doesn't really stand out.

Relatively affordable 5G; Beautiful design; Excellent audio quality with 3.5mm headphone jack; Gorgeous screen

Disappointing low-light camera performance; Top network speeds slower than some competing phones