Knowledgeable’s Score
Execs
- Excessive affect HDR image
- Up to date webOS 24
- Freeview Play (UK)
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient
Cons
- Non-swivel pedestal stand
- Unremarkable audio
Our Verdict
Boasting a shocking 4K image, with very good gaming performance, the LG C4 is a premium OLED performer that’s tough to withstand…
The C Collection has lengthy been the spine of LG’s OLED vary, regardless of the G being the flagship mannequin, providing a candy spot on the subject of excessive finish efficiency and options. That continues to be the story of the tape on the subject of 2024’s C4 OLED.
It might not have the modern specification of its G4 stablemate, however then it’s extra inexpensive, and considerably LG has nonetheless managed to improve the package deal over final yr’s already incredible C3 OLED.
The LG C4 on check is a 65-incher. It’s additionally out there in 42-, 48-, 55-, 77- and 83-inch display screen sizes with costs beginning at £1,399.99/$1,499 RRP.
The C4 presents greater peak HDR brightness, advantages from an improved processor, and is mostly simpler to reside with, because of AI sound and imaginative and prescient administration. So is the LG C4 your subsequent TV? I wouldn’t wager in opposition to it…
Design & Construct
- Fashionable and well-made
- 4 HDMI inputs
- Slimline Magic Distant controller
LG has upped its design sport with the C4, including a cool slate design to the again of the TV. It’s additionally smoothed off the digital bump, giving it a somewhat extra trendy profile.
The acquainted LG Magic Distant has additionally been slimmed down, so it sits slightly simpler within the hand. Management stays the identical, with a cursor and thumbwheel. There are additionally devoted buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Rakuten TV, Amazon Alexa and LG Channels.
All 4 HDMI inputs assist 4K 120Hz playback, which is nice information when you personal each a PS5 and Xbox Collection X/S. There’s additionally eARC/ARC on HDMI enter 2.
The set is appropriate with each Nvida G-Sync and AMD Freesync. The TV also can accommodate a 144Hz sign when you’re utilizing it with a suitably geared up gaming PC.
Further ports embody a trio of USBs, an optical digital audio legacy output and Ethernet. Wi-fi connectivity covers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Tuner choices comprise Freeview Play and satellite tv for pc.
Specs & Options
- LG webOS good platform
- Wi-Fi
- Recreation Optimizer and Recreation Dashboard
Smarts come through an upgraded webOS 24 platform. Now you can create as much as ten particular person accounts, ostensibly to enhance personalise content material suggestions.
the set makes use of AI to handle sound and film settings to maximise efficiency
I believe webOS, for all its energy, is now one of many extra difficult good platforms to make use of, and whereas many tech-savvy sorts will really feel at house, I believe others could not discover it so intuitive. To assist navigate the platform, LG makes use of Fast Playing cards, which group collectively associated companies.
There’s a totally stocked cabinet of streaming companies, together with Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+, in addition to all mainstream catch-up TV, plus Apple AirPlay.
Steve Could / Foundry
On the plus facet, the set makes use of AI to handle sound and film settings to maximise efficiency. Given that the majority watchers hardly ever delve into settings, this could solely be an excellent factor.
Working the present is an Alpha 9 AI processor Gen7 chip, which sits one rung down from the Alpha 11 AI processor discovered reserved for the costlier G4 OLED and M4 OLED fashions.
Photos exhibit sparkle and depth, with vibrant highlights and a deep, nuanced black stage.
Image & Sound High quality
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG and HGiG assist
- Excessive Brightness OLED EX panel
- Wow Orchestra appropriate
The LG C4’s photos are remarkably dynamic. Not in an exaggerated, showy approach, however of their total believability. Photos exhibit sparkle and depth, with vibrant highlights and a deep, nuanced black stage.
Even common SDR content material advantages from an uplift in total, balanced brightness.
The Brightness Booster expertise behind all this doesn’t depend on extra {hardware}; it’s extra a mix of up to date OLED EX panel expertise and Alpha 9 AI processor Gen7 processor.
The latter contains a raft of sunshine boosting algorithms allied to Deep Studying Neural Community, AI powered modes, together with AI Brightness, AI Image Professional, and AI Style Choice.
Color constancy can be distinctive. You get vibrancy with out over saturation, deep reds and welcoming blues. The set runs the total gamut of Gelato hues.
greater than able to portraying the specular highlights of the vast majority of TV reveals and films
Steve Could / Foundry
Image presets embody Normal, Vivid, Normal, Cinema, Cinema House, Sports activities, Recreation, in addition to Filmmaker Mode and two ISF Knowledgeable modes (Brilliant Room/Darkish Room).
HDR efficiency is extraordinarily good. I measure peak HDR brightness at 1150 nits, utilizing a ten% window, in Vivid picture mode. Measured in Normal mode, HDR peaks stay above 1100 nits. Exceptional for this class of OLED, and making it greater than able to portraying the specular highlights of the vast majority of TV reveals and films.
However such metrics are simply a part of the story. There’s a lustre and lushness to the C4’s pictures, whether or not you’re viewing in 4K HDR or SDR HD, that’s mesmerising. Colors are daring and delightful.
Clearly, the C4 delivers conventional OLED inky blacks, however the TV additionally does an clever job of presenting close to shadow element, in order that dimly lit interiors seem to have depth, somewhat than emulate a flat gray gap.
Latency for gaming is nice. I measured enter lag at 13ms (1080p/60fps) in Recreation mode.
Sonically, the LG C4 doesn’t shame itself, but it surely’s clear that LG hopes patrons will decide to accomplice the set with a companion soundbar, routing Dolby Atmos bitstreams out over eARC.
Steve Could / Foundry
Whereas the set’s onboard processor has the good to virtualise a 9.1.2 soundstage, the TV actually doesn’t have the {hardware} onboard to make this in any respect convincing.
Connect with a appropriate LG bar and it’s also possible to profit from Wow Orchestra, which allows the TV audio system and soundbar to work collectively to create a wall of sound.
Worth & Availability
Accessible now, the LG C4 OLED is available in 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch fashions (OLED42C46LA, OLED48C46LA, OLED55C46LA, OLED65C46LA, OLED77C46LA and OLED88C46LA respectively), priced at £1,399, £1,499, £1,899, £2,699, £2,899, £3,799, and £5,999 respectively (cheaper than the LG C3 at launch).
Within the US, the identical set of sizes and mannequin numbers promote for $1,499, $1,599, $1,999, $2,699, $3,699 and $5,399.
You may buy it from LG in addition to retailers resembling Amazon, Currys, John Lewis and extra. Head to the likes of Amazon, BestBuy and Walmart within the US.
These are the RRPs and on the time of writing you’ll find the TV with reductions making it far more inexpensive. You will get it beginning at £1,079/$1,196.
Try our chart of one of the best TVs to see extra choices.
Must you purchase the LG C4 OLED?
The LG C4 is an outstanding 4K OLED. Any issues that it would pale compared to the range-topping G4 mannequin, which has an MLA (Micro Lens Array) panel, show unfounded.
Thanks in no small half to the Alpha 9 AI processor Gen7 and LG’s newest suite of brightness Booster algorithms, it’s vibrant sufficient to take care of dynamics and color throughout daytime viewing and is gorgeously punchy when the lights dim.
The most recent tweaks to webOS additionally reserve it from sinking underneath the burden of its personal performance, and gaming credentials are excessive. Solely audio warrants a median mark, and that’s as a result of LG is decided to make you spring for an identical soundbar.
Specs
- OLED-EX show expertise
- Decision: 3840 x 2160 4k
- Dimensions:1441(w) x 826(h) x 45(d)mm
- Weight: 16.6kg
- HDMI: x4
- HDR assist: Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG, HGiG
- webOS good platform
- Freeview Play tuner