LG Teases Upcoming 5G Velvet Phone With Unusual 'Raindrop' Camera Layout

[MacRumors]

LG has released a short teaser trailer for its new Velvet smartphone that shows off the company's new design language, which includes a vertically cascading rear triple-camera array.

The layout moves away from the large camera bumps that have become common on smartphones, including Apple's iPhones. The so-called "raindrop" camera positions smaller lenses below the larger main camera, reminiscent of dripping water.

LG has described the design as "a nod to the natural world with a visual form factor that differs from the industry trend." Presumably the unusual arrangement doesn't impact on the function of the camera.

The square bump on the iPhone 11 series divided observers when it was launched last year. The aesthetic still displeases some users, while others dislike the way it prevents the iPhone from lying flat on a table.

Apple's 2020 iPhone lineup, expected this fall, is likely to keep the bump, but it will house an additional fourth lens in the form of a 3D camera, similar to the LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro.

LG hasn't announced a launch date for its Velvet smartphone, but its recent steady stream of teasers would suggest a launch can't be far off. What do you think of LG's new design? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: LG Teases Upcoming 5G Velvet Phone With Unusual 'Raindrop' Camera Layout

 

[jsmith189]

I'm not a huge fan of overly square phones like that, but this is pretty nice. I like the camera layout.

I still really, really want a pearlescent (or whatever it's called) phone from Apple.

 

[mazz0]

I don't particularly like it, but I do like that they offer it a range of fun colours rather than the drab ones Apple uses for it's Pro lineup. I think Apple has bought into it's own marketing BS with the "Pro" moniker on its most expensive phones.

 

[jsmith189]

I don't particularly like it, but I do like that they offer it a range of fun colours rather than the drab ones Apple uses for it's Pro lineup. I think Apple has bought into it's own marketing BS with the "Pro" moniker on its most expensive phones.

Drab is the perfect way to describe them. Even the 11 colours feel a bit blah to me. I get that it's seemingly "more professional" but if you're going to offer colours, keep the black and white as options and just go all the way with the rest lol.

 

[n-evo]

Looks nice, then again I don't spend my time endlessly looking at the back of my phone.

 

[H2SO4]

Looks nice, then again I don't spend my time endlessly looking at the back of my phone.

I think so too. That teardrop effect is nice design.
Not sure how long you've been an Apple fan but one thing they were famous for is design that looks good from any angle you choose. After the release of the iPhone 4 that has slipped a little.

 

[miniyou64]

But they don’t look evenly spaced...

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

That looks miles better than the hideous hump Apple has on their phones.

LG does make some good looking things now and then.

 

[itsmilo]

This shiny metal appearance of a lot of Android phones always reminds me of those nasty public rest rooms at a high way stop.

also don’t like these narrow but tall phones in general

 

[JosephAW]

Still waiting for Apple to figure it out and put an color epaper display under the glass so we can make our iPhones whatever color or pattern we like.

 

[rp2011]

I think it’s pretty. But why do Android devices always have the tackiest and gimmickest colors? They know it matches the nerd mentality? Why not just a nice white or black, why the rainbow reflections for god sake.

 

[44267547]

Truthfully, I often forgot LG is even a ‘contender’ anymore in the smart phone industry. Part of it, is lack of marketing, and some of their hardware standards have suffered, but ultimately it gets lost behind Samsung and Google.

it’s interesting to see some of their design elements upcoming, but then again, does it really make that much of an impact in terms of how successful this phone will be against the competition? I doubt it.

 

[macfan90]

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

 

[Rogifan]

So camera bumps are OK now or just bad when Apple does them?

 

[Spungoflex]

Phone design peaked with the Galaxy S8. That’s just about as much as you can do with a phone from an aesthetic perspective.

It’s been all downhill since then. Ugly asymmetrical notches, “teardrop” cutouts, hole punches, cameras that look like cancerous growths on the back of the phone. Ugh.

 

[twistedpixel8]

I think it’s pretty. But why do Android devices always have the tackiest and gimmickest colors? They know it matches the nerd mentality? Why not just a nice white or black, why the rainbow reflections for god sake.

I don’t know if this is still true of Apple but when Jobs was still in charge, he insisted on spending a huge amount of time getting colors right. I think he actually delayed the launch of the 4 because the white “didn’t look perfect enough.” Other manufacturers don’t really care about these details. I like to think Tim-era Apple still spends a lot of effort on color. I think they still do as the colors are always very well done.

 

[PC_tech]

Did

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

Did LG describe it that way? I think it’s only Macrumors describing it that way.

 

[Metrosey]

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

Doesn’t it depend on each individual rain droplet, if it’s only just started raining then no rain is collected on the object and therefore, will become smaller as it drops down?

 

[jonnysods]

That’s a lot of shots of the rear of the device, and half a second for the front - bit weird?

 

[SRLMJ23]

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

You beat me to pointing that out!

 

[anthogag]

An iPhone could have a back looking-like the Mac Pro. A bit thicker with all the holes and light like a sponge. Put all the cameras in the holes.

 

[imola.zhp]

But they don’t look evenly spaced...

Great catch! Once its seen, it cannot be unseen.

That looks miles better than the hideous hump Apple has on their phones.

LG does make some good looking things now and then.

The very top camera is still bumped out, just in case you missed that.

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

Excellent point!

So camera bumps are OK now or just bad when Apple does them?

Right?

 

[mi7chy]

Looks like a Samsung Galaxy minus the flush cameras. Pee pee shape notch on the front is ugly though. Change it to v-notch at the edge which I think is even better than pin-hole.

 

[jonblatho]

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

Please understand that the shape you describe and are getting worked up about is almost nothing like how raindrops are actually shaped.

 

[DinkThifferent]

That’s upside down. A raindrop is almost always drawn with the pointed small side up and larger at the bottom where the water masses together. How simple of a concept to understand yet they mess it up.

You beat me to pointing that out!

You're holding it wrong