LG’s C2 OLED is a really spectacular 4K TV that gives impeccable image high quality and best-in-class gaming efficiency. Though the higher-tier and costlier G2 is LG’s flagship and gives a brighter show, the C2 is simpler in your pockets and nonetheless delivers a viewing expertise that may wow anybody sitting in your front room. 

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 all the things the corporate has discovered after years of producing OLED units. You may depend on an engrossing picture with unmatched blacks, putting distinction, and a stunning stage of depth. There’s been loads of buzz this yr concerning 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 fundamental 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 mild it’s. By switching to composite fiber supplies, LG has diminished the heft in an enormous manner. The 65-inch mannequin I’ve been testing weighs 40.8 kilos with the stand or 36.6 kilos with out. Stack that up in opposition to final yr’s model, which got here in at 71.9 kilos with the stand connected or 52.9 kilos with out, and the distinction is substantial. You’ll nonetheless desire a serving to hand when unboxing and establishing one of many larger-sized C2s, however that’s actually solely due to the display screen’s width; the load is fully manageable now. The pedestal stand can be now lighter, narrower, and appreciably taller; my Sonos soundbar partially obstructed the display screen with my previous CX, however that’s not an issue due to this stand’s further clearance. 

A TV’s weight is the type 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 state of affairs. 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 disturbing, 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 often on sale for considerably much less. Regardless 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 modern predecessors in general design, however there are nonetheless noticeable upgrades. LG has managed to shave down the bezels to the purpose that they’re practically imperceptible when the TV is powered on, conserving you totally immersed in no matter’s on the display screen — be {that a} film, sport, or these attractive Apple TV screensavers that may usually steal my consideration for minutes at a time. The shiny glass panel may be liable 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 instances. However when the viewing circumstances 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 valuable about which system will get plugged into what port. Clearly, you’ll need to guarantee your soundbar is working via 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 a number of the most vital 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’ll be able to nonetheless use it like a Wii wand controller with movement controls in order for you — 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 instances. Navigating round webOS on the C2 is easy and responsive, whether or not you’re shopping apps on the homescreen, utilizing options like AirPlay 2, or toggling on sensible lights via the Dwelling Dashboard.

Sadly, webOS has grown very busy, bloated, and random in its present state. Are there loads 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, suggestions for utilizing the TV’s options, and advertisements.

Now there’s only a large “webOS” brand within the prime banner taking on a ton of room. Beneath which might be trending suggestions combined with blatant advertisements. Subsequent is the App Listing — the part you’ll possible use most frequently — after which the Dwelling Dashboard, which mixes HDMI inputs and sensible house system 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 complete row on the homescreen devoted to the built-in net browser that I’ll by no means open? If I’ve little interest in LG’s sports activities alert carousel, there’s no strategy to disguise or take away it; the most effective I can do is transfer it additional down the display screen. 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 prompt content material, a few of them solely that includes three or 4 objects. There’s little rhyme or motive, and I’d like to see LG rein a few of this in and provides webOS larger focus and objective in its subsequent lineup of TVs. However I’m not optimistic.

Fortunately, the TV’s precise settings menus stay much like previous years and are easy sufficient to seek out what you’re on the lookout for. By default, LG allows energy-saving options that may dim the display screen and preserve the C2 from trying its best possible, so you’ll need 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’ll be able to 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 inform you: you’ll immediately neglect any quibbles with the C2’s homescreen or default settings when you begin watching a film or TV. Merely put, that is the most effective image high quality you will get for the worth. With HDR peaking at barely over 800 nits, the C2 is perceptibly brighter than final yr’s C1 (and definitely the CX I owned beforehand), even when it’s no match for Mini LED TVs like the TCL 6-Collection and up to date Hisense units like the blindingly vibrant U8H. In case your front room catches a ton of daylight, it would make sense to go along with these alternate 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 state of affairs, 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 recognized for. Colours are vibrant with out going overboard, and HDR highlights pop with assist 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 supplies. 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. Prior to now, I’ve dismissed this type of factor as a advertising gimmick, however I’m bought on it right here. It’s not 3D by any stretch; the impact is delicate however provides simply that little bit further to the C2’s video constancy. The short response time of OLED panels can produce judder when watching films and different 24fps content material. For those who’re delicate to that type of factor, LG’s Cinematic Motion toggle does a superb job of smoothing issues out with out leaning too onerous 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 healthier than tolerable. The corporate makes use of some AI tips to keep up good steadiness at average quantity ranges, however don’t anticipate a lot in the way in which of bass. These audio system are high-quality as a stopgap, however you’ll need to pair the C2 with a greater sound system to carry its audio expertise as much as par with its visible one. 

Once you jump over to a gaming console, LG mechanically acknowledges the {hardware}. Urgent the settings button on the distant brings up a gaming dashboard that shows the present body fee, helps you to dial in granular black stage changes, or select from image presets based mostly on the style of the sport you’re taking part in. The C2 reveals 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 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 may 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 instances 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 too 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 may 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 a fantastic, versatile, and shockingly mild rectangle. You may get an excellent TV for tons of much less, however few are as uncompromising. 

Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge