LG C2 OLED TV evaluation: you possibly can’t go improper

LG’s C2 OLED is a very spectacular 4K TV that gives impeccable image high quality and best-in-class gaming efficiency. Despite the fact that the higher-tier and dearer G2 is LG’s flagship and gives a brighter show, the C2 is less complicated in your pockets and nonetheless delivers a viewing expertise that may wow anybody sitting in your lounge. 

I reviewed the 65-inch C2, which prices $2,499 however is routinely on sale for a lot much less. Due to these frequent reductions, the C-series has established itself because the candy spot of LG’s lineup, and this feature-packed TV showcases every little thing the corporate has discovered after years of producing OLED units. You may rely on an engrossing picture with unmatched blacks, placing distinction, and a stunning degree of depth. There’s been a number of buzz this yr in regards to the arrival of QD-OLED TVs, and whereas they do provide some noticeable image advantages, the primary units from Samsung and Sony are pricier than the C2 — and neither can match LG’s complete gaming chops.

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However one of many principal enhancements that LG has made to the C2 can be apparent lengthy earlier than you energy it on. Probably the most notable factor about this TV’s design is simply how remarkably gentle it’s. By switching to composite fiber supplies, LG has diminished the heft in a giant approach. The 65-inch mannequin I’ve been testing weighs 40.8 kilos with the stand or 36.6 kilos with out. Stack that up towards final yr’s model, which got here in at 71.9 kilos with the stand hooked up or 52.9 kilos with out, and the distinction is substantial. You’ll nonetheless desire a serving to hand when unboxing and organising one of many larger-sized C2s, however that’s actually solely due to the display’s width; the burden is completely manageable now. The pedestal stand can be now lighter, narrower, and appreciably taller; my Sonos soundbar partially obstructed the display with my outdated CX, however that’s not an issue due to this stand’s additional clearance. 

A TV’s weight is the kind of factor you may by no means take into consideration once more after placing it on a media stand or mounting it, however the diminished heft ought to make for much less pressure in your wall within the latter situation. Above all else, it’s simply spectacular engineering and a welcome change after years of weighty OLEDs that additionally occurred to be very fragile. That mixture usually proved tense, however the C2 felt a lot simpler to unbox and maneuver by comparability. It is available in sizes starting from 42 inches ($1,399) all the way in which as much as a gargantuan 83-inch mannequin ($5,499). Once more, all of them are repeatedly on sale for considerably much less. Irrespective of how large or small you go, the TVs share the identical options, and all have 4 HDMI ports.

Elsewhere, the C2 takes after its smooth predecessors in general design, however there are nonetheless noticeable upgrades. LG has managed to shave down the bezels to the purpose that they’re almost imperceptible when the TV is powered on, holding you absolutely immersed in no matter’s on the display — be {that a} film, recreation, or these attractive Apple TV screensavers that may usually steal my consideration for minutes at a time. The shiny glass panel will be susceptible to distracting reflections relying on the time of day or the place the TV is positioned in a room; I missed the anti-glare coating of the TCL 6-Collection and different TVs at occasions. However when the viewing situations are proper, LG’s chosen supplies solely improve the richness and punch of the TV’s picture. 

As for the HDMI ports, all 4 are able to 120Hz 4K gaming and the entire array of HDMI 2.1 options. It’s good not having to be so treasured about which gadget will get plugged into what port. Clearly, you’ll wish to guarantee your soundbar is operating by way of the eARC HDMI port, however the remainder present ample flexibility. LG has been doing this for years, and whereas some TV makers are lastly catching up and going full-bandwidth on each HDMI port, others like Hisense and TCL nonetheless restrict among the most essential options (like 120Hz) to 2 ports as an alternative of the whole thing.

Change on the C2 utilizing LG’s Magic Movement distant — sure, you possibly can nonetheless use it like a Wii wand controller with movement controls if you’d like — and also you’re greeted by the newest model of webOS. The corporate’s TV software program switched to a full “homescreen” expertise a pair years in the past that’s extra akin to Samsung’s Tizen and Vizio’s Smartcast OS. I most popular the much less busy lower-third “blades” interface of older LGs, however I can’t fault the corporate for getting with the occasions. Navigating round webOS on the C2 is clean and responsive, whether or not you’re shopping apps on the homescreen, utilizing options like AirPlay 2, or toggling on good lights by way of the House Dashboard.

Sadly, webOS has grown very busy, bloated, and random in its present state. Are there a number of options? Positive. The C2 helps Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and LG’s personal voice assistant, as only one instance. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit are additionally in there. However LG is attempting to do an excessive amount of, and all of it feels messy. The highest of the homescreen has seen some iteration and experimentation over the previous few months, none of which has resulted in a lot progress. Initially, it was a hodgepodge of climate, ideas for utilizing the TV’s options, and advertisements.

Now there’s only a large “webOS” emblem within the prime banner taking over a ton of room. Beneath which can be trending suggestions combined with blatant advertisements. Subsequent is the App Listing — the part you’ll doubtless use most frequently — after which the House Dashboard, which mixes HDMI inputs and good dwelling gadget controls in the identical row. After that, it’s row after row of forgettable cruft, and the general expertise feels thrown collectively and convoluted. Why is a whole row on the homescreen devoted to the built-in internet browser that I’ll by no means open? If I’ve little interest in LG’s sports activities alert carousel, there’s no technique to disguise or take away it; the very best I can do is transfer it additional down the display. Even within the Apps Listing row, which is customizable, a lot of LG’s apps can’t be eliminated. After which there are repetitive rows of advised content material, a few of them solely that includes three or 4 gadgets. There’s little rhyme or cause, and I’d like to see LG rein a few of this in and provides webOS better focus and goal in its subsequent lineup of TVs. However I’m not optimistic.

Fortunately, the TV’s precise settings menus stay just like previous years and are simple sufficient to search out what you’re searching for. By default, LG allows energy-saving options that may dim the display and hold the C2 from wanting its perfect, so that you’ll wish to flip these off as you discover the totally different image modes and different settings. And if the haphazard structure or advertisements of webOS’ homescreen get in your nerves, you possibly can all the time hook up a streaming participant from Apple, Roku, Amazon, or Google and largely ignore the TV’s software program past the fundamental menus.

However let me let you know: you’ll immediately overlook any quibbles with the C2’s homescreen or default settings when you begin watching a film or TV. Merely put, that is the very best image high quality you may get for the value. With HDR peaking at barely over 800 nits, the C2 is perceptibly brighter than final yr’s C1 (and positively the CX I owned beforehand), even when it’s no match for Mini LED TVs just like the TCL 6-Collection and up to date Hisense units just like the blindingly vivid U8H. In case your lounge catches a ton of daylight, it would make sense to go along with these options — or one of many QD-OLEDs I discussed earlier, since their improved coloration brightness could make the entire picture appear extra radiant. LG’s flagship G2 additionally ups the overall brightness past what the C2 is able to with the assistance of an built-in heatsink.

So it’s not going to win out in each situation, however the C2 by no means left me wanting for extra. It makes good on the dazzling distinction and inky blacks that OLEDs have lengthy been identified for. Colours are vibrant with out going overboard, and HDR highlights pop with help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10, and HGiG. Watching High Gun: Maverick on this factor is a particular expertise. 

However there’s extra to it than that. I’ve been genuinely impressed by how a lot depth and dimensionality the C2’s image gives. I feel this comes right down to the way in which LG’s Alpha 9 Gen 5 chip separates the foreground topic from the background and optimizes the picture processing of each. Up to now, I’ve dismissed this kind of factor as a advertising gimmick, however I’m offered on it right here. It’s not 3D by any stretch; the impact is refined however provides simply that little bit additional to the C2’s video constancy. The fast response time of OLED panels can produce judder when watching motion pictures and different 24fps content material. Should you’re delicate to that form of factor, LG’s Cinematic Motion toggle does a very good job of smoothing issues out with out leaning too laborious into the cleaning soap opera impact.

I don’t know many individuals who splurge on an OLED TV solely to depend on its built-in audio system, but when you end up and not using a soundbar or encompass system for some time, the C2’s audio output is best than tolerable. The corporate makes use of some AI methods to keep up good steadiness at reasonable quantity ranges, however don’t anticipate a lot in the way in which of bass. These audio system are nice as a stopgap, however you’ll wish to pair the C2 with a greater sound system to carry its audio expertise as much as par with its visible one. 

Whenever you jump over to a gaming console, LG robotically acknowledges the {hardware}. Urgent the settings button on the distant brings up a gaming dashboard that shows the present body charge, permits you to dial in granular black degree changes, or select from image presets primarily based on the style of the sport you’re enjoying. The C2 displays splendidly low enter lag throughout all of its HDMI ports, and LG stands alone in supporting Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming along with each incarnation of VRR you possibly can need, together with AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync, and the open commonplace model. This TV is an ideal match for the PS5 and Xbox Collection X and might get probably the most from this technology of consoles. Once more, different TVs can go brighter, however the gaming expertise isn’t all the time as constant. Samsung has had some firmware rising pains with its S95B QD-OLED this yr which have at occasions negatively affected brightness and gaming / VRR efficiency.

LG’s C2 is an exceptional TV, and as we enter the vacation season, it’s already being discounted into very tempting territory at many retailers. However you can even nonetheless discover large financial savings on final yr’s C1, and there’s not a ton separating the 2. The C2 will get barely brighter and gives smoother day-to-day efficiency, however a lot of its greatest attributes will be present in final yr’s mannequin. LG is dealing with spectacular competitors from Samsung and Sony within the OLED TV area, but it surely’s nonetheless the heavyweight on this market with years of experience. The C2 is all of that distilled into an exquisite, versatile, and shockingly gentle rectangle. You may get an excellent TV for lots of much less, however few are as uncompromising. 

Images by Chris Welch / The Verge